PIC programming

[hamsterears]

Okay, since coming here I've decided I want to try PIC programming.<p>Unfortunately, I'm on a very limited budget, so I need to find things that are free, or very cheap.<p>I've already found a source for the PIC's. I have a 16F84A, and some 16F628's and 12F675's on the way. (You can order free samples from Microchip, if anyone hasn't noticed).<p>What I need now is a schematic for a programmer that will (hopefully) work with all of these chips.<p>Then, I'll need either a tutorial in PIC assembly language, or a link to a free compiler that will work with them.<p>Any suggestions will be welcome. Thanks in advance.<p>Michael Fagan

[bodgy]

Michael,<p>if you've been to the uChip website then you should look for the MPLAB, this is the IDE for writing your asm programs and running simulation.<p>It would also be advisable to download the pdf files for the Pics you have ordered as well as the one entitled MIDRANGE PICS plus the errata files. You can also order the Microchip CDROM which will have all the files plus MPLAB from people like Maplins, RS Components and Farnell all opf those are in the UK and elswhere, I'm sure someone in the US also has it.<p>Learning well there is a whole wealth of info out there - might be worth looking at Tony Nixon's site www.bubblesoftonline.com apart from a downloadable tutorial he also has his own IDE and simulator software.<p>There is a tutorial that is quite good from a Czeck or Bulgarian electronics magazine - it's in English, unfortunately I've lost the URL.<p>It may also be worthwhile joining the piclist.com loads of info in the archives.<p>EPE magazine has many pic projects of which you can download the programs. They are about to start a new tutorial, but I believe that the paper version is hard to get in the US, so you may have to look at the online subscription www.epemag.com<p>For the programmer and a tutorial then there is www.voti.nl<p>There are many pic programmers out there ranging from just 2 wires to more complicated. A google search or a look at the picring will help there.<p>You might also like to look at www.matrixmultimedia.co.uk they have a CD based tuition course.<p>Also have a look on the Amazon or BN book site or David Bensons books Pic'n he lives at www.sq-1.com and his books are available from him and some specialist outlets. You won't find them in your local bookshop.<p>Colin<p>PS I forgot www.kitsrus.com look for kit DIY K81.
download the pdf file that has the programming software and you'll see you can construct a programmer from 1* 74LS07 2* bog standard NPN transistor and a couple of resistors.<p>If you download the PPP program from Matrix all you need is a power supply capable of providing 13.5v a couple of switches and 5 wires including PIC p/s cables.<p>[ April 07, 2003: Message edited by: bodgy ]</p>

[bodgy]

And just to be kind hearted - though you're going to have to put some sweat in as well.<p>Look here for a list of PIC related tutorials<p>http://users.pandora.be/educypedia/electronics/pics.htm as well as general electronic circuits and <p>the site from yugoslavia as was/is?<p>http://www.mikroelektronika.co.yu/engli ... icbook.htm<p>all payments gratefully received. <p>Colin

[geewiz]

Here's a site for PIC programming info:<p>http://www.voti.nl/blink/index.html

[vasanthraghavan]

Hi,
The following site seems very useful for getting a PIC programmer up and running (parallel port) particularly with a low budget - schematics included.
http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/noppp/
Vasanth.

[wd5gnr]

There are tons of PIC resources on the Web. Our tutorials: http://tutor.al-williams.com<p>A great overall resource: PIC List Site

[markp]

If you want to do assembly language programming,
a few years ago, Nuts & Volts published "Building a Flash Programmer for PIC Microcontrollers" by Ron Russ. His Web site was 2bit.com or [url=http://www.emicros.com,]www.emicros.com,[/url] where you could also get an assembler.
I've used both the programmers and assembler with perfect results.
If you're doing assembly language (like all REAL men!) look at Nuts & Volts "A High Power PIC Micro Library" by Kurt Lunt.
P.S. I've duplicated Ron Russ's programmer and have the PC layout for ExpressPCB.com if you're
interested.
[email protected]

[hamsterears]

Many thanks for all the links and advice. I've found a programmer and software that should do for me, and am looking at all the tutorials you mentioned. Hopefully, assembly isn't too hard to pick up. (or should that be, "PIC up"?) <p>Again, many thanks.<p>Michael Fagan