 PIC microcontrollers, low-cost computers-in-a-chip, let electronics designers and hobbyists add intelligence and functions
that mimic big computers to any electronic product or project. This guide gives directions for using Microchip's RISC-based
chips with up to 8K of memory, starting with simple projects and leading up to sophisticated programming techniques.
Assumes no programming experience. Includes a list of suppliers. Iovine has authored several books of projects for
holograms, Kirlian photography, and negative-ion generators
The PIC microcontroller Project Book is one of those books that stem from the rising populairity of robotics. This book is
intended for the true beginner in any field that comes with building a PICcontrolled device. Basic issue's, like how to install
software on a PC, how does a breadboard look like, what are electrical symbols and where to obtain the nessesary hardware
are explained in great detail. With the subtitle "A true biginners Guide To the Populair Pic microcontroler" in mind the author
gives us a electrical schematic, a drawing and a photograph of the breadboard of the first project, winking LED's. After this
intro, the author lays out the PIC architecture, like the TRIS and port registers, the binairy calculation, reading i/o lines and
the pokes and peeks of Basic - the language used to program the PIC. Once mastered this section, one of the twelve
step-by-step-projects can be build. These involve for example the making of a speechsynthesizer, controlling DC stepper
and Servomotors, LCD displays, reading sensors and there's even a trackerdevice that applies fuzzy logic to track light.
Overall this book has a clear audience and a clear idea. The information is well structured and well edited. The layout is good,
although there isn't much need for this book as a referenceguide. The author succeeded in making a very solid entrylevel book
for the absolute beginner.
The book contains no software so you left to fend for your self.
It does list places to get the hardware and software you need to
program a PicMicro but it does not mention all the other and cheaper
options. |
