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PIC® Software
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CCS supplies
the C compilers that are used to compile my source code.
Unabashed and liberal use is made of the many built-in functions
provided by these compilers.
One statement in C can generate pages of PIC® RISC instructions... instructions
you don't have to write by hand!
CCS still only charges $125 for their 12-bit and 14-bit command line
compilers for Windows and Linux, and offers Windows IDE software
as well. These are well worth it in my opinion.
You may order the compilers directly from their web site. (CCS also
offers engineering and consulting services, their own line of
cellular protocol analyzers, and more.) The
CCS User Forum
is an excellent source of advice for using the C language and compiler
with PIC® MCUs. It also has a growing code library.
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MCUspace.com is a
comprehensive source dedicated to connecting you to the resources
for the Microchip Technology 8-bit PIC®micro MCU and dsPIC®
microcontrollers. There are an abundance of software development
tools that include compilers, debuggers/emulators, programmers,
development boards, as well as sample projects, books and distributors
all dedicated to the PIC® MCU. Visitors are encouraged to use the
forums
for discussion and rating options for products, and to keep the information
current and relevant to PIC® users.
CCS graciously sponsors this site and intends it for information and
discussion about CCS and other manufacturers of software and
hardware tools pertaining to the PIC® micro MCU and dsPIC® microcontrollers.
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PIC® Devices
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| Microchip
makes the PICmicro® microcontrollers. Databooks, application, notes, and much
more are on their web site. Everything is oriented around the PIC's RISC assembly
language, of course.
Visit microchipDIRECT
to buy PICmicro® devices directly from Microchip Corporation.
This is intended both for personal and business orders.
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PIC® Device Programmer
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microEngineering Labs
makes the
Serial Programmer
that I use to program PICs. They also have a very popular
U2 Programmer
that connects directly to a USB port.
microEngineering Labs also specializes in development tools that
make working with PICmicro® MCUs
quicker and easier. For those who prefer to program in BASIC instead of C,
they offer BASIC compiler software, as well as a wide range of other
products such as serial-port and parallel-port device programmers,
experimenter and prototyping boards, books, and more. Check out their
very nice
PICmicro® MCU selection database.
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Electronic Hardware
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| Digikey has everything,
plus everything else!
Ordering via web is easy. (I remember when their first catalogs were 1/8" thick...
the most recent catalog now measures over 2" thick!)
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| Mouser is also a very thick
catalog! Ordering via web is easy.
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| Crystalfontz supplies a wide
variety of LCD displays for very reasonable prices. Although my
projects use only the character-based LCD displays, they have much more.
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| Spark Fun Electronics
A great source for innovative prototyping supplies including the
CP2102 USB-SERIAL and other Breakout Boards for attractive prices.
Their web site includes User Forums and (future) tutorials.
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Printed Circuit Boards
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| ExpressPCB provides a printed
circuit board prototyping and production service.
Their free ExpressSCH schematic editor and ExpressPCB board layout
CAD software run under Windows and are easy to learn, complete with integrated
Digikey part numbers. After the finished board
file is uploaded through the software, their PC board service manufactures
high quality boards with plated-through holes, from double-sided to four layers,
up to 12"x14" in size.
They are both fast and economical with most orders shipped
the next business day, and for as little as $51 U.S.
I used this process to make PC boards for my
Tank Level Detector and
NiCd/NiMH Battery Characterizer.
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| Top-Tec-PCB
provides a printed circuit board prototyping and production service
on a larger scale than ExpressPCB.
Board sizes extend up to 20"x25", with up to 28 layers.
Materials options include rigid, flex, or metal core PCBs
with several available plating materials including gold contacts.
Fabrication options include Z-axis milling and testing that includes
E-Test, A.O.I., and X-Ray.
Input data is accepted in Gerber, Eagle, Target, or ODB++ format, and
design rule checking is automatically done for production runs.
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Mechanical Hardware
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| eMachineShop
is the first internet machine shop - great for making custom parts for research projects.
Download their free software to draw your part.
The software includes commands to evaluate your design,
obtain automated price quotes, and order via internet.
eMachineShop streamlines the entire
process from what you see on your screen to delivery at your door.
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| Online Metals
is an online-only supplier of small quantities of metal such as steel, stainless,
copper, bronze, brass, titanim (and even plastic) in
tube, flat, angle, square, hex, round, flat, sheet, and other shapes.
No minimum order!
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| Small Parts
has been supplying small and large quantities of high quality
material components and tools to bright and creative people since 1963.
No minimum order!
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My favorite surplus stores
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| HSC Supply (Halted Supply)
in the San Jose, CA area is located at
3500 Ryder Street, Santa Clara, California 95051, 408-732-1573.
You can view their PowerPoint presention to get an idea of their
store, but the one thing inaccurate about the presentation is that they
obviously cleaned the place up before taking the photos! (It's really
much better than the photos!)
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| Excess Solutions
in the San Jose, CA area is located at
430 E Brokaw Road, San Jose, CA 95112, 408-573-7045. Mostly electronic
components.
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| Triangle
Machinery & Tool Company
in the San Jose, CA area is located at
1051 Commercial Ct, San Jose, CA 95112, 408-452-8666. Mostly
industrial and mechanical surplus.
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| P&T Surplus, 198 Abeel Street, Kingston, N.Y. 12401, 845-338-6191.
Abeel Street is at the north end of the old bridge over the
Esopus Creek. Turn west (inland) and go three blocks, on the left.
Mostly industrial and mechanical surplus.
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| Trojan Electronic Supply, 15 Middleburgh Street, Troy, NY 12180,
518-274-4481. Several blocks north of the Route 7 bridge, a few
blocks inland from the Federal Lock on the Hudson River/Champlain Canal.
This is the only supplier I've seen
in years with a working tube tester standing in one corner!
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| Electronic surplus stores in Vermont (Are you kidding?)
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Ideas
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APPLICATION NOTES...
Practical application of the Hamming code for error detection and correction
Techniques for fault-tolerant coding in embedded systems
Spreadsheet for calculating timer and interrupt values, timing error percentage
About the LCD DISPLAYS used in most of these projects
QUESTIONS...
If you can't find answers on this site, check:
STUDENTS...if you are searching for ideas for a term project
may I humbly suggest that this web site is for creative ideas,
not quick and easy term projects? Creativity is why you are in school!
Nonetheless, I do have some ideas.
HEX CODE...if you are looking for hex code
or additional circuits, code, schematics, etc,
everything I have is listed above. I don't have hex code listings.
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Projects
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