Embedded C Programming and the Atmel AVR [Paperback]

Richard H. Barnett (Author), Sarah Cox (Author), Larry O'Cull (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 5, 2006 | ISBN-10: 1418039594 | ISBN-13: 978-1418039592 | Edition: 2

Enter the world of embedded programming and microcontroller applications! One of the only books available today that uses the increasingly popular and cost-effective Atmel AVR embedded controller as the platform and application for learning, Embedded C Programming and the Atmel AVR, 2E is the perfect choice for novices. Featuring a host of fully-functional example applications, this highly innovative book enables users to adopt a "learn by doing" approach as they develop the knowledge and skills needed to achieve proficiency. Following an introduction to Atmel AVR RISC processors, readers are launched immediately into an embedded C language tutorial. Here, they'll experiment with variables and constants, operators and expressions, control statements, pointers and arrays, memory types, preprocessor directives, real-time methods, and more! In addition to a comprehensive library functions reference, an entire chapter on the CodeVision AVR C Compiler provides clear, step-by-step instruction in IDE installation and operation, mixing Assembler with C, and using the Code Wizard Code Generator. Use of peripherals - such as keypads, LCD displays, and other common embedded microcontroller-related devices - is also explored fully in this all-inclusive, state-of-the-art programmer's how-to and reference manual.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Richard H. Barnett has been instructing in the area of embedded microcontrollers for the past eighteen years and currently consults actively in the field. Prior to his tenure as a professor of Electrical Engineering Technology at Purdue University, he spent ten years as an engineer in the aerospace electronics industry. Dr. Barnett¿s teaching awards include the Charles B. Murphy Award as one of the best teachers at Purdue University and Purdue University¿s Book of Great Teachers, a list of the 225 most influential teachers over Purdue¿s entire history.

Sarah Cox has a Bachelor of Science degree in both Computer and Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. She is currently the Director of Software Development at Progressive Resources LLC , where she has developed software for projects ranging from small consumer products to industrial products and test equipment. These projects have spanned several fields, among them automotive, medical, entertainment, child development, public safety/education, sound and image compression, and construction. In addition, Ms. Cox has been listed as co-inventor on numerous patent applications.

Senior Operating Member Progressive Resources LLC Mr. O'Cull received a B.S. degree from the School of Electrical Engineering Technology at Purdue University. His career path started in the design of software and control systems for CNC (computer numeric controlled) machine tools. From there he moved to other opportunities in electronics engineering and software development for vision systems, laser-robotic machine tools, medical diagnostic equipment, and commercial and consumer products, and he has been listed as inventor/co-inventor on numerous patents. Mr. O'Cull started Progressive Resources in 1995 after several years of working in Electrical and Software Engineering and Engineering management. Progressive Resources LLC (http://www.prllc.com) specializes in innovative commercial, industrial, and consumer product development. Progressive Resources is a Microchip consultant member since 1995.

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Cengage Learning; 2 edition (June 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1418039594
• ISBN-13: 978-1418039592
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #527,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Microprocessors & System Design > Microprocessor Design
  • #63 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Microprocessors & System Design > Embedded Systems

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent. Only small complaints.... March 19, 2005

By Trail Runner

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The first chapter of this book is the most concise, articulate tutorial on embedded C that I have yet found. The second chapter is an equally well written description of the AVR architecture including examples (with code) of how to use peripherals such as timers, serial communication (UART and SPI), analog to digital conversion, etc. These two chapters alone made this book a good value for me and it is organized well enough to make an invaluable reference for the future.

The third and fourth chapters are specific to the Codevision compiler. The evaluation version of Codevision on the included CD has a limited code size and cannot be used to compile the final project in chapter 5, and this is the source of my only complaint. For the price of this book, it would be even more attractive if it included a coupon for a discount on the complete version of the Codevision compiler/IDE (at least one of the authors is from the company that offers Codevision).

That said, Codevision appears to be a very good package. All C compilers for the AVR target have differences so it was necessary to focus on one. But for my purposes and budget, I instead chose to use the freely distributed AVR-GCC compiler (search WinAVR), so the differences must be kept in mind while studying the code examples (e.g. bit-level I/O port access, memory sectioning). This is not a major obstacle, however, and the final project in chapter 5 still functions as an excellent description of the process of project development, from concept to final test.

If you want to learn embedded C, strongly consider buying this book.

If you want to learn embedded C and the AVR line of microcontrollers specifically, buy this book.

If you want to learn embedded C for the AVR using the Codevision compiler/IDE, run and buy this book NOW!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Read these reviews for general info as they may refer to the first edition! January 3, 2007

By Donal B. Botkin

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Hi folks!
It's amazing how reviews dated months (or years) prior to the publication date of a new edition got added here. I do own the earlier edition and find it to be *exactly* what I needed to both ramp up my knowledge of embedded C processing and learn the AVR micro.

Now we have this new edition that just might overcome some of the valid criticisms of the reviewers as well as bring the explanations up to date for the newer processors. Or it might not. . .. An update review would be helpful as I don't want to spend $90 to get the same book with a different cover. Ahhh! Amazon's return policy. I'll order the new one and either write an update review or send it back. Nice!

UPDATE!
Well, I ordered the new edition. . .. Here's the scoop: the authors have updated the chip used in the examples to the Mega16 (and sometimes the Mega128) so this is a good thing as there have been significant changes in the naming of internal registers, etc. since the first edition was written. There are some short additions here and there (e.g. a two-page section on I2C) and "Lab problems" in addition to the exercises at the end of each chapter. The new book is thirty pages longer, but somewhat thinner than the first ed.

So, if you're a bit of a newbie (like me) and are using a particular chip (like the Mega16 as I was) this edition is well worth the cost as it tracks the chip internals closely in the descriptions. If you are "just looking," maybe a used first edition will answer 99% of your questions for 50% of the price. In either case, the explanation of embedded C in the first 80 pages of the book is superb! There is also an excellent project example--start to finish--that ties it all together.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for starters and experienced programmers! November 27, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is a great book on embedded C programming. Although it focuses on the Atmel AVR microcontrollers, it is a useful reference for anyone doing embedded development! I have been an embedded systems developer for years and this is the first book that I have found that I keep at my desk for quick references - for software and hardware!