PIC Programming Course (PIC16F627A, PIC16F84A, PIC16F870, PIC16F877A, PIC16F88, PIC16F1827, PIC16F1936, PIC18F2221, PIC18F2321, PIC18F2450, PIC18F2525, PIC18F4221, PIC18F4321, PIC18F4525 etc)

Microcontroller Training Course (Course updated June 2012) A microcontroller is a simple computer which is used to control electric circuits. By its very nature we cannot avoid needing to understand how we connect external circuits to the microcontroller, and as we need to understand the basic hardware, it is important for us to begin by writing our code in assembler. Later when we have an understanding of how the fundamental code is used we can branch out and learn to programme in C Think of the natural learning process of a child. We could not possibly teach a young child to use C, BASIC or even flowcode as the initial concepts are too complicated. Yet just because a mature person does have the ability to understand the concepts does not make that the correct approach. PIC assembler has a natural pattern which is most easily learnt from simple practical experiments. A six year old could learn simple PIC assembler if introduced in the simplest practical way, but our books are written for mature people who want to enjoy the learning process.

The key to the our system being easy and enjoyable right from the very beginning is that it is centred around two real books which lie open on your desk while you are using your PC to write the programmes and to drive the programmer/ experimental module. The first book which takes you through the essential assembler learning has bought wide spread approval from our customers. There is no setting up to do and there is no preamble required to your programmes. The only things you type to create your experimental programmes are the actual PIC instructions. The idea is that a newcomer to PIC microcontrollers is able to switch on and start typing PIC instructions. The second book which introduces the C programming language is a little more difficult but includes such things as high voltage mains measurement techniques and communications using the serial port of the PIC. The optional third book Experimenting with Serial Communications is an introduction to PC programming using Visual C# and an introduction to interfacing between a PIC and a PC. This includes experiments using our Easy USB system. We offer 3 courses which all provide the same basic training. The differences between these courses is in the facilities offered by the programmer/experimental module. This is summarised in the table below. To see the details of each course click the part number at the top of the column.....

This picture is of our P931 programmer/experimental module. The picture above this is of our P942. The P931 and P942 courses which are the latest additions, both offer exactly the same training. Usually the P931 course will be just what you need but if you plan to be involved with low volume production or plan to use RS232 for your own projects you should consider the P942. Our original course the P928-X has been fully updated and offers the same training as the P931 and P942 but with the P928 the 3rd book has less pages and the Easy USB tuition is covered in a separate book. The P928-X programmer/experimental module has an RS232 control link to your PC which allows it to be used with older computers (Windows XP or later required). An RS232 to USB adaptor is included in the P928 price so the latest computers which only have USB can also be used.