Tag Archives: PIC

Using mikroC libraries to drive graphic LCDs

Raj made another tutorial on interfacing graphic LCDs with PIC microcontrollers. In his earlier post he covered how to setup the hardware and write your own firmware to drive these LCDs. This post covers how to use mikroC compiler libraries to do the same and more. Today’s discussion will focus more on using the built-in […]

KS0108-based Graphic LCD overview

Raj shows how to interface GLCDs with KS0108 controllers to PIC uCs. He covers the protocol used, LCD memory mapping, and how to write up the firmware using microC compiler. The use of a graphical LCD (GLCD) drastically changes the look of your project. It provides more freedom for presenting data than the HD44870 based […]

DIY PIC16F883 breakout board

Phil made a DIY breakout board for the PIC16F883 microcontroller. The board uses a surface-mount single-layer design, and the parts are nicely spaced.  It’s an easy board to make at home using the DIY toner-transfer method of PCB etching. You can download the source files and other design data from his site. Via Jumperone.

Bus Pirate development week – day 1

This week is dedicated to Bus Pirate development. We’re cleaning up firmware v6 and getting ready for a final release. Today we documented the development process to help any prospective developers find their way around the Bus Pirate source. In the video: Compile the Bus Pirate firmware Basic work with SVN Soldering a demo board […]

App note: RC Model Aircraft Motor Control

Modern RC model aircraft designs incorporate some hefty standards regarding motor speed control: The motor should not be started until the speed is at its lowest setting Motors with gearboxes should have acceleration limits If the control signal is lost the motor should shut off Motor shut off in case of low battery, to save […]

Bus Pirate PIC programmer can now program Bus Pirate v4

Bus Pirate PIC programming utility can now program Bus Pirate v4. This means any Bus Pirate v2, v3, or v4 can program any other Bus Pirate version as well. Thank you to Tayken, Robots, and LongHairedHacker for their work on this project. Note: the PIC programming adapter is not needed to program a Bus Pirate. […]

Soldering the 8bit PIC SchmartBOARD

Here is a video showing how to solder a PIC16F88 and a few discrete components on a 8bit PIC SchmartBoard. The 8bit PIC SchmartBoard is a development board that supports many of Microchip’s 8bit microcontrollers in SOIC packages. It has a on-board crystal, 5v voltage regulator and 28 breakout pins for the PIC.  It also […]

DC power supply monitor with GLCD display

Here is a project built to provide a DC power supply with a GLCD interface: This power supply monitor is intended to measure the voltage and current of a DC power supply, and continuously display these values on a 128X64 pixel LED backlit GLCD display. Ezflyr built it for his aircraft ground power supply, but […]

PICKit2 clone that works with both 5V and 3.3V devices

Felixls and Suky designed a PICKIT2 clone (machine translation) that works with both 3.3v and 5v devices. Using a 3.3v voltage regulator they have access to both the 5V USB and a 3.3V power supply. Simply by moving a jumper you can chose which supply will power the board and PIC. Via the forum.

App note: DMX512 receiver and transmitter on a PIC

DMX512 is a 3 wire interface protocol used in professional lighting. This app note by Microchip explains all the protocol details and how to implement it on any PIC microcontroller with a hardware UART peripheral. Only external part is a RS485 transceiver. DMX512 transmitter sends 512 8bit data packets one after the other to 512 individual […]

Voltage monitor for car’s battery and its charging system

Raj designed a car battery volt-meter. The core of the project is a PIC16F1827 which uses its internal fixed voltage reference FVR and ADC to precisely measure the battery voltage. Measured voltage is displayed on a 4 digit 7 segment display. His circuit is connected to the car’s battery through a standard car lighter jack. Via the […]

More on PIC configurable logic cells

Here’s some more info on the new PIC microcontrollers with configurable logic cells. felix52 tipped us to a Configurable Logic Cell Tool from Microchip: The intention of this User’s Guide is to assist the reader in becoming acquainted with the Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) Configuration Tool. It will explain how to setup the tool and […]

STATUS UPDATE: PICqueño32 v1.0

PICqueño32 is our knock-off the Arduino-compatible chipKIT Uno32. Earlier this summer Microchip and Digilent released a 32bit, PIC 32 development board. Yeah, it’s in the shape of an Arduino. What sets it apart from others is the open source compiler that works with the Arduino IDE and existing Arduino programs. We decided to make a […]

App Note: wireless home security implementing KEELOQ® and PIC®

KEELOQ® is an authentication system designed by Microchip. It’s based on a proprietary, non-linear encryption algorithm that creates a unique transmission on every use, supposedly rendering RF replay attacks useless. The algorithm uses a programmable 64-bit encryption key unique to each device to generate 32-bit hopping code. In this new app note, Microchip presents a […]

chipKIT: Open source PIC USB and Ethernet drivers?

According to Microchip Digilent is currently working on a USB, Ethernet, and CAN shield for the chipKIT. This is a really interesting project because it means drivers for PIC USB and Ethernet peripherals will be released. To jive with the Arduino community those drivers will need to be open source. We’ve had nothing but problems […]