Vol 1
The C language has
been covered in many books but none as dedicated to the embedded microcontroller
beginner as the Beginner’s Guide to Embedded C Programming. Through his
down to earth style of writing Chuck Hellebuyck delivers a step by step
introduction to learning how to program microcontrollers with the C language.
In addition he uses a powerful C compiler that the reader can download
for free in a series of hands on projects with sample code so you can learn
right along with him. For the hardware he found the best low cost but effective
development starter kit that includes a PIC16F690 microcontroller and everything
else the beginner needs to program and develop embedded designs, even beyond
the book’s projects.
There isn’t a better
entry level guide to learning embedded C programming than the Beginner’s
Guide to Embedded C Programming. When you have finished reading this book
and completed the projects you’ll be ready to take on your own embedded
microcontroller projects and designs using the C language.
You
will learn about:
C
Language Structure,
C
language statements,
Functions,
Linking
multiple C files,
How
to control outputs,
How
to read inputs,
How
to read an analog voltage with an Analog to Digital Converter,
MPLAB©
Integrated Development Environment setup and operation,
PIC16F690
microcontroller register and configuration setup,
And
more!
The book uses the
PICkit™2 Starter Kit for all the projects and the Starter Kit CD includes
the HI-TECH PICC-
Lite™ C compiler. This book
combined with the
PICkit
2 Starter Kit
will give you everything you need to learn Embedded C Programming.
Vol 2
In this “Volume 2” Chuck takes the reader to the next level by
introducing how to drive displays, how to use interrupts, how to use
serial communication, how to use the internal hardware peripherals of
the PIC16F690 Microcontroller such as SPI, PWM and Timers. He even
introduces how to drive a stepper motor for those looking for
electromechanical design help. He tackles these topics with his typical
down to earth style of writing that makes the reader comfortable as they
learn what some consider very difficult topics for the beginner. In
addition he continues to use the very powerful HI-TECH C compiler in its
free Lite mode so the reader can program along with little or no
expense.
All the projects in the book include the software and the hardware
schematics so the reader can reproduce the same projects Chuck creates
on their own. This is a great companion to the “Beginner’s Guide to
Embedded C Programming” but also stands well on its own. If you are
looking to learn Embedded C Programming for the Microchip PIC
Microcontroller or want to expand your knowledge of using the internal
features, then this book needs to be in your library.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 – Getting Started
Chapter 2 – Driving an LED Display
Chapter 3 – Driving an LCD
Chapter 4 – Storing Data
Chapter 5 – External Interrupt
Chapter 6 – Using the Timer 1 Interrupt
Chapter 7 – RS232 Communication
Chapter 8 – SPI Communication
Chapter 9 – Pulse Width Modulation
Chapter 10 – Driving a Stepper Motor
Conclusion
Appendix A – Inside the PIC16F690
Appendix B – Development Board Schematic
Index
Vol 3
In “Beginner’s Guide to Embedded C Programming – Volume 3” Chuck Hellebuyck
takes another leap forward by showing you the steps to create the SimpleC
library of functions that make programming in C even easier. This approach
shows the reader how they can create their own functions and expand the SimpleC
library to make creating microcontroller projects much quicker than writing
in raw C code. This book will clearly be the reference for future programmers
who want to build electronic gadgets without all the painstaking steps of
writing every C statement while producing a working project in less time
and with less effort.
The SimpleC library will make the following functions as easy as one command
line:
• Controlling Digital Outputs
• Reading Digital Inputs
• Monitoring Analog Voltages
• Driving Liquid Crystal Display Modules
• Driving Digital PWM Signals
• Sending/Receiving via SPI and I2C Communication
• Writing to/Reading from External EEPROM
• Writing to/Reading from External I/O Expanders
• And More!
The book uses the open source PIC16F886 based CHIPINO module for the hardware
and also forms the platform to make future electronic projects and gadgets
easier to build.
