Project Modules for the PIC16F88

Project Modules for the PIC16F88

If you have our PIC Training & Development System or you are thinking of buying it, you will find the Project Modules for the PIC16F88 a very useful extension.

In the picture the Programmer Module (top left) is connected to the Display Driver Module (bottom left). DC power and a serial lead going to a PC are connected to the Programmer Module.

Going clockwise the other three modules are RS-232 module, General I/O module and Motor control module.

You will only need the Programmer Module if you purchased our PIC training system before January 2004.

This picture shows the Motor Control Module connected to the Programmer Module. We call it the motor control module because it is wired so that the emf generated by the motor can be monitored by the microcontroller which allows the maximum torque to be available even at the slowest speeds. But there is no reason why this module is limited to driving motors. It can be used to switch DC current up to 4 amps at 12 volts for any use (mains switching relay, solenoid operated air or water valve etc).

Here we have connected the Display Driver to the Motor Driver Module. We plugged in a motor and separate DC supplies for the microcontrollers and the motor.

We can use the keypad to adjust the speed of the motor.

Alternatively we can use the Motor Control Module as a self contained system as shown in this picture. Two motors and two variable resistors are connected. The motors operate independently with their speeds being set by the variable resistors.

Or we can connect the Motor Control Module to a PC via the RS-232 Module. If we use one Motor Control Module we can use the PC to control one or two motors (or to switch one or two very large relays). If we want to control more motors or switch a few high current relays we can use two, three or more Motor Control Modules all daisy chained into the same 10 way cable going via one RS-232 module to the PC.

We can also connect the Display Driver Module to a PC via the RS-232 Module. We can use the keyboard of the PC to write to the LCD or to send information to the PIC. We can use the keypad on the Display Drive Module to send information back to the PC.

PIC Project Modules

Module 1 - Programmer Module with PIC programming software. . . . £40.00
Module 2 - Display Driver Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £33.00
Module 3 - Motor Control Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £18.00
Module 4 - General I/O Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £19.00
Module 5 - RS-232 Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £ 9.00
Book Project Modules for the PIC16F88. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £20.00
Book Project Modules for the PIC16F88 if bought with 4 modules. . . £12.00

Programming adaptor to fit 24 pin ZIF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £14.00
10 way interconnecting lead 60mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £ 2.50
10 way interconnecting lead 180mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £ 3.00
PC serial lead (9 way D). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £ 3.80

To be able to write programmes into modules 2, 3 and 4 you need either
the programmer module (module 1) or our serial port PIC training system
programmer (P701 or P801) with the 24 pin ZIF adaptor (£14). You
will also need a 10 way interconnecting lead.

If you purchase the programmer module and at least three other modules we will
include a PC serial lead (9 way D) and two 10 way interconnecting leads for free.

If you have P701 or P801 and you purchase the 24 pin ZIF adaptor and at least
four modules we will include a 10 way interconnecting lead and the latest
programming software for free.

If you purchase at least 4 modules together with the book we will include our
PC assembler software.

Carriage....... UK £6.00....... Europe £12.00....... Rest of world £18.00
(All prices listed on this web site are the actual price that you pay).

Other items you may need......
Regulated adjustable 3V 1.4A to 12V 1.0A plugtop PSU for UK. . . . £12.00
Unregulated adjustable 3V to 12V 500mA plugtop PSU for UK. . . . . £ 5.00
Unregulated 12V 500mA plugtop PSU for UK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £ 4.00

PIC16F88 if bought with 2 or more modules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £ 1.99

Each module has with is own microcontroller, oscillator and input/output connections and will run on its own, needing only to be supplied with DC power. (Except for the RS-232 module which is used to interface modules 2, 3 or 4 to your PC).

The Motor Control Module although only 70mm by 42mm has two outputs which can each control a DC motor up to 12 volts at 4 amps continuous (or be used to switch DC for any other use such as mains switching relays). The speed of the two motors can be remotely controlled using the onboard serial port to connect directly to the Display Driver Module with its 16 character by 2 line display and keypad, or connected to your PC via the RS-232 module (40mm x 45mm). If you want to remotely control more motors or switch more relays that is no problem - daisy chain modules into the serial link and programme each of them with a unique code. The book explains how to do it.

The General I/O Module also has a serial port for daisy chaining into the same system. It has 3 CMOS or analogue inputs (connecting to the 10 bit analogue to digital converter), and two high current open drain outputs which can switch up to 2 amps at 100 volts DC for switching relays or motors, or which can be linked to on board inductors for generating step up voltages or TENS or muscle exercise waveforms.

Modules 1, 2 and 3 have a DC input socket and regulator. One input will run the whole chain.

Project Modules for the PIC16F88

This book assumes that you have some experience in electronics. We start by using the Display Driver Module on its own to flash its LEDs, to write text to its liquid crystal display, and to display numbers typed on its keypad. We use the Motor Control Module on its own to control first one then two motors. We learn about serial communication, use the Display Driver Module as a terminal to control the motors then we use our PC to control the motors. Finally we experiment with muscle stimulation and TENs waveforms using the General I/O Module.

This book is wirobound to open flat, 240mm x 170mm, 166 pages.

PIC16F88.
Choosing which PIC to use for our modules was one of the most important decisions. The modules need to be easily programmed, small and low cost, yet they must be as flexible as possible.

A few years ago the smallest PIC that suited this application had 28 pins but recently Microchip have released several new PICs with 18 pins. Of these the PIC16F88 is the best. Although it falls into the mid range category of PICs it has all the important features that we need at a very low cost......

10 bit A/D converter, USART, the ability to read from programme memory when running its programme, analogue comparators, 4096 locations of programme memory, 368 bytes of RAM, 256 bytes of EE memory and all the usual PIC features.
Click here to see a comparison table of PICs.

Software.
The PIC programming software supplied with the Programmer Module is the same as supplied with our PIC Training and Development System but we also supply library routines so that you only need to type the top lines of each programme.

The PC programming software supplied when at least 4 modules are purchased together with the book runs in a very similar way. You will be writing in assembler but again library routines are provided to allow complex routines to be easily used.

Using assembly language to write the programmes for the PIC and the PC is the easiest way to fully understand how to set up and use serial communication.