Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers: Principles and Applications [Paperback]

Tim Wilmshurst (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 27, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0750667559 | ISBN-13: 978-0750667555

This book is a hands-on introduction to the principles and practice of embedded system design using the PIC microcontroller. Packed with helpful examples and illustrations, it gives an in-depth treatment of microcontroller design, programming in both assembly language and C, and features advanced topics such as networking and real-time operating systems. It is accompanied by a companion website containing copies of all programs and software tools used in the text and a 'student' version of the C complier.

Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers: Principles and Applications is ideal for students of electronics, mechatronics and computer engineering. Engineers in industry and informed hobbyists will also find this book a valuable resource when designing and implementing both simple and sophisticated embedded systems using the PIC Microcontroller.

Support material, including new and supporting information, links to useful sites, and errata, is available from the book's companion site.

*Gain the knowledge and skills required for developing today's embedded systems, through use of the PIC microcontroller.

*Explore in detail the 16F84A, 16F873A and 18F242 microcontrollers as examples of the wider PIC family.

*Learn how to program in Assembler and C.

*Work through sample designs and design ideas, including a robot in the form of an autonomous guided vehicle.

*Accompanied by a CD-ROM containing copies of all programs and software tools used in the text and a 'student' version of the C complier.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

A complete textbook on embedded systems design using the PIC, combining theory and practice

About the Author

Tim Wilmshurst is the author of Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers. He has been designing embedded systems since the early days of microcontrollers. For many years this was for Cambridge University, where he led a development team building original systems for research applications - for example in measurement of bullet speed, wind tunnel control, simulated earthquakes, or seeking a cure to snoring. Now he is Head of Electronic Systems at the University of Derby, where he aims to share his love of engineering design with his students.

Product Details

• Paperback: 584 pages
• Publisher: Newnes (November 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750667559
• ISBN-13: 978-0750667555
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,089,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Microprocessors & System Design > PIC Microcontroller

More About the Author

Tim Wilmshurst was born in West Africa, where he spent his early years and started his schooling. From childhood he was fascinated with how things worked, and spent many hours making models, or taking things to pieces and hoping to put them back together again.

After playing with the idea of a career in professional music, Tim was drawn first into engineering design and then into education. He has had two spells working in the Engineering Department of the University of Cambridge, one in Botswana Polytechnic, and is currently Head of Electronics at the University of Derby. At Cambridge he had the privilege of contributing to much ground-breaking research through his designs, focussing mainly on control and instrumentation. This included work in the fields of aerospace, geotechnical, medical and motor vehicle. He also claims to have introduced the first microprocessor into the British Houses of Parliament, and the first microcontroller into the Kalahari Desert!

Tim believes in learning by doing, and aims to share his fascination with how things work, and how to devise new or different things. He has developed the Derbot project, which encourages students to develop inventive autonomous vehicles, based on a given core design.

Tim's books encapsulate his teaching and design work; all are supported on his web site, at www.embedded-knowhow.co.uk.

Tim also enjoys long distance cycling and hiking, playing the violin, and family life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a practical decent book, September 12, 2007

By 

Dutron (Gauteng, South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers: Principles and Applications (Paperback)

It's been a long while now that I have been purchasing every PIC related book that I can find and finally this one was recommended by my local Micro supplier. The fall down with most publications is that you start with the 16F84 (fantastic micro, no doubt) and then just as things get interesting the book ends.

This book avoids that and does a whole lot more. The first few chapters devoted to theory, but then hey we are not all genius level. The book then takes the reader form the 16F84 right the way through to more advanced micros e.g. 16F873. All the while expanding on the knowledge base and building ever better projects. The overall project theme of the book is the little Robot, which is great. You apply what you learn as you go practically.

Another major advantage is that in the latter part of the book the transition is made to C i.e. that High level language the gets you away from assembler. Not really a teach all you need on C, but enough to get you going and get the projects working.

I would really recommend the book to anyone who wants to avoid buying every other book just to find the right one. All the essential detail and information required is contained within these two covers and is great value for money for novice or intermediate / Advanced user.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All in one, November 14, 2007

By 

Tsanta "Uriel" (Istanbul, TURKEY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers: Principles and Applications (Paperback)

As an amateur roboticist, I wanted a book that would cover the PIC16 and the PIC18 architecture in detail, and this is the book I needed. I was hesitant to learn PIC Assembler since I already knew x86 C, and it was no problem to move to PIC C for me. This book showed me that PIC Assembler is necessary if you really want to know about the architecture (and if you really need precise timing). I realized it was not a big hassle after all. Although the author tells you to skip the chapters on PIC Assembler and move on to C if you wish to do so, I did not, and I am glad I did not. This books is the PIC Bible for me. It is an awesome tutorial, and a marvelous reference for the beginner and the novice PIC enthusiast. The author provides many working examples (on a pong game, and a complete robot - the Derbot AGV). I have not finished it yet, but I use it as a reference all the time as I also continue learning more about the PIC architecture and assembler. Assembler was scary for me before I bought this book, now it is not. If you need a book that covers it all, buy this book, you will not regret it.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive and, November 14, 2008

By 

Daniel E. Nickovich (CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Designing Embedded Systems with PIC Microcontrollers: Principles and Applications (Paperback)

I was deciding between this and a book on assembly programming so that i could start programming PICs in assembly/C. I chose this book and i won't regret it because it introduced a working program with an actual application and use. I finally found a book that is not a cookbook and doesn't assume that i have previous experience. I like how the author explained each new command and its uses and then why he put each of the program lines in where he did. Within the first 3 chapters i was already programming my first PIC in assembly language. The author uses assembly at first to give the reader a better understanding of the structure and behavior of the microchip and then uses the C language in the later chapters (which wasn't the initial reason i got the book). I enjoy the pros and cons to both languages and i couldn't do it without the help of this great book. thanks!