pic16f84 communicating with pc parallel port

[darudude]

spi_nautilus_chip

I'm currently working on a robot that is able to be controlled from any computer over the internet. The robot has a computer on it that runs all the servers on a debian platform. What the user does is they go to a webpage on the server and give the robot an instruction(eg. right). The php then chooses then appropriate hex line and sends it to the the dc motor through the parallel port.

Now I've been told to add a PIC16F84 to allow for more inputs. Unfortunately I've never worked with MicroControllers before and have no clue how to approach it.

Anybody has any suggestions of schematics or tutorials I can look at?

The output seems pretty straight forward its more the parallel port to pic16f84 interface I'm worried about...

It has to be though parallel port as its in linux.

 

[ashish sharma]

ya as you said that you need to go for pic16f84 in particular so go to www.microchip.com or you can go for any other microcontroller . search for tutorial in this forum only

 

[BeeBop]

Hi Darudude,
I don't know who told you to get an 16f84, as they are old, obsolete, and expensive. If you decide to go with a pic, go for an 16f87, 88 or 16f628A, if you want an 18 pin device, or a 16F877A, if you want a 40 pin device.
You don't have to use a microcontroller, though. You could use an 8255 parallel port expander, which will give you three 8 bit ports, rather than one. Here are some links about that:
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http://www.montefiore.ulg.ac.be/~smeets/ppi.html
http://www.phanderson.com/printer/8255disc.html
http://jap.hu/electronic/c64pio.html

Depending on what you want, you can perhaps just use a shift register to give you more outputs. Something like the 74LS174 or CD4014, etc. Some info here:

http://www.hobbyprojects.com/sequential_logic/the_siso_shift_register.html
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Either method should give you inputs or outputs, but if you still wish to use a microcontroller, or have more questions, please just ask.

Best wishes,
Robert