Programming 16-Bit PIC Microcontrollers in C: Learning to Fly the PIC 24 (Embedded Technology) [Paperback]

Lucio Di Jasio (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0750682922 | ISBN-13: 978-0750682923

. A Microchip insider tells all on the newest, most powerful PICs ever!

. FREE CD-ROM includes source code in C, the Microchip C30 compiler, and MPLAB SIM software

. Includes handy checklists to help readers perform the most common programming and debugging tasks

The new 16-bit PIC24 chip provides embedded programmers with more speed, more memory, and more peripherals than ever before, creating the potential for more powerful cutting-edge PIC designs. This book teaches readers everything they need to know about these chips: how to program them, how to test them, and how to debug them, in order to take full advantage of the capabilities of the new PIC24 microcontroller architecture.

Author Lucio Di Jasio, a PIC expert at Microchip, offers unique insight into this revolutionary technology, guiding the reader step-by-step from 16-bit architecture basics, through even the most sophisticated programming scenarios. This book's common-sense, practical, hands-on approach begins simply and builds up to more challenging exercises, using proven C programming techniques. Experienced PIC users and newcomers to the field alike will benefit from the text's many thorough examples, which demonstrate how to nimbly side-step common obstacles, solve real-world design problems efficiently, and optimize code for all the new PIC24 features.

You will learn about:
. basic timing and I/O operations,
. multitasking using the PIC24 interrupts,
. all the new hardware peripherals
. how to control LCD displays,
. generating audio and video signals,
. accessing mass-storage media,
. how to share files on a mass-storage device with a PC,
. experimenting with the Explorer 16 demo board, debugging methods with MPLAB-SIM and ICD2 tools, and more!

·A Microchip insider tells all on the newest, most powerful PICs ever!

·Condenses typical introductory "fluff" focusing instead on examples and exercises that show how to solve common, real-world design problems quickly

·Includes handy checklists to help readers perform the most common programming and debugging tasks

·FREE CD-ROM includes source code in C, the Microchip C30 compiler, and MPLAB SIM software, so that readers gain practical, hands-on programming experience

·Check out the author's Web site at http://www.flyingpic24.com for FREE downloads, FAQs, and updates

Editorial Reviews

Review

"No stone is left unturned. The book hits flash memory, communications, LCD support, and analog-to-digital converter support...Unless you are a C30 and PIC24 wiz already, pick up this book before beginning work with one." William Wong, Electronic Design.

Book Description

The first and only book on the newest, most powerful PIC family ever- the 16-bit PIC24!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Newnes (March 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750682922
• ISBN-13: 978-0750682923
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #888,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Microprocessors & System Design > PIC Microcontroller

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book for the 16-bit PIC Enthusiast! March 22, 2007

By Dave

Format:Paperback

There are many books published on how to program or use Microchip's PIC product in various application categories. For networking, Fred Eady's, "Networking and Internetworking With Microcontrollers", ISBN 0-7506-7698, Keith Curtis, "Embedded Multitasking", ISBN 0-7506-7918-2, and Creed Huddleston's, "Intelligent Sensor Design", ISBN 0-7506-7755-4, are but 3 of my favorites (there are more). This book is a deserving the serious PIC programmer's attention; that is, if you want to really use the PIC24 or dsPIC. This book does not is not written for the dsPIC, but the architecture is similar enough that, aside from the DSP engine, you can learn almost all of the non-DSP features of the dsPIC (save for a select few dsPIC features).

Lucio has managed to put together a real interesting collection of material to help you learn the PIC24 and in a fun way. Lucio's theme is "Learning to Fly the PIC24". The book addresses primarily C developers, with plenty of example code. Assembly programmers are not left out, however as the format of each chapter is: a flight plan, the flight, post flight briefing, and notes for PIC experts, and assembly language experts. Lucio is a PIC expert at Microchip so you will learn from the best. The book includes a CD-ROM with source code in C and the student version of the C30 compiler. The book is not written for "absolute" beginners. Some familiarity with assembly language and basic understanding of the C language. Prior exposure to the PIC architecture would be helpfull as well.

Part I is about the basics of the PIC24. Chapter 1 takes you through the basics of programming the PIC24; Compiling, linking, building a project, port initialization, and other tips and tricks.... Chapter 2 introduces logic operators, while loops, timers and, a neat feature of Microchips MPLAB, the logic analyzer. Chapter 3 introduces do loops, variable declarations, and arrays. Chapter 4 discusses data types, optimization, testing, integer multiplication, and complex data types. Chapter 5 is covers interrupts, the secondary oscillator, and the real-time clock calendar (RTCC), Chapter 6 discusses memory allocation, the program space visibility (PSV), the compiler map, pointers, the heap, and C30 memory models.

Part II, chapter 7 takes you through he serial interface , parallel interface, SPI, read status register, writing to the EEPROM and the new nonvolatile storage library using the 25LC245 serial EEPROM. Chapter 8 is about more UART examples and a console library. Chapter 9 presents interfacing with the LCD using the HD44780 controller. Chapter 9 is about analog-to-digital conversion with a good example of using the TC1047 analog temperature measurement chip.

Part III is more advance material. Chapter 11 covers input capture, simulation, PS/2 interfacing (including key code decoding), and I/O polling. Chapter 12 is really cool and discusses techniques to interface to a TV screen or display using composite video. Chapter 13 is about mass storage using the SD/MMC card interface. Chapter 14 discusses file I/O, the file allocation table (FAT), the fopenM() and freadM() functions. Chapter 15 is the grand finale using the PIC24 OC modules to develop a WAVE file player using PWM output.

The reason I summarized the chapters, in detail, above is that the chapter titles do not do the chapter contents justice in title alone. The chapters are:

1. The first flight
2. A loop in the Pattern
3. More Pattern Work, More Loops
4. Numbers
5. Interrupts
6. Taking a Look Under the Hood
7. Communication
8. Asynchronous Communications
9. Glass Bliss
10. It's an Analog World
11. Capturing Inputs
12. The Dark Screen
13. Mass Storage
14. File I/O
15. Volare Read more ›

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Fly by Night!! May 12, 2007

By Paul

Format:Paperback

This is an interresting and organized compilation of projects which walks you through the daunting experience of microcontroller use. I am an RF hardware engineer with little programming experience, but have worked on several projects which included microcontroller or DSP control. I've never touched an 8 bit device, but jumped directly into the 16 bit family. In my past experience, someone else has always done the controler functions. Lucio presents a methodology for someone without too much experience and a lot of desire to learn a very complex subject with the starting point in the 16 bit arena.

His use of C programming takes you through an easier learning curve than if you were to approach this with machine language. The Explorer 16 gives you plenty of practial applications to play around with the technology and monkey around with things yourself. The chekclists are invaluable. especially in the early stages of using the tools.

Perhaps the most refreshing thing I found was that Lucio personally answers emails and gives you educational insights if you ask him questions. I have taken on learning the PIC controller on my own and Lucio has helped me over a hurdle or two in this adventure.

One other note: The microchip applications team is ecellent. I have had a few issues with a real project using the PIC device and the local FAE stopped by on a number of ocassions to help troubleshoot both the HW/SW issues I couldn't overcome on my own. What better way to learn than with the guys who work with it every day.

Well Done!!

Paul

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars We need more books like this! May 20, 2007

By El Hombre

Format:Paperback

I just bought this book and managed to read through it over a few days. I must say that I'm very impressed by it! The book covers programming the PIC24 in C using MPLAB's C30 C compiler. It covers the PIC24 architecture and peripherals in as much detail as required by a C programmer as well as various non-ANSI C PIC24 specific addons available in the C30 compiler. It also includes a myriad of cool interfacing projects with minimal additional hardware (SPI EEPROM , 3 resistors for the video example flash card, PS2 interfacing e.t.c.) Finally it also introduces all the debugging tools available in MPLAB such as the simulator/logic analyzer and stimulus generator. This book is not for the absolute microcontroller / programming in C beginner however. Its target audience is embedded systems programmers considering to switch to Microchip's PIC24 family and EE students/hobbyists with some background in embedded systems/ microcontrollers / C programming.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A thorough workbook May 12, 2007

By Douglas L. Datwyler

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The analogy with piloting aircraft aside...

This book takes a very practical approach, using the tools on the CD and doing exercises with C code. The explanations are clear. Be aware that though introductory, this is a technical book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Outdated book, needs a refresh February 12, 2011

By HD Rider

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I wanted to love this book, especially after all the great reviews. Unfortunately, it is way outdated, even from the first few pages. When setting up the very first "hello" project, the processor that you are told to select isn't even a selection in the new software. So it goes downhill from there. If you go to the author's website ([...]), it even links you to purchasing a development kit that Microchip doesn't recommend you purchase since its been superseded. It's a shame, since I enjoy the author's writing style and the way he presents things. But if you are looking for something to get you started on a real project, you better go elsewhere or hope for an updated release of this book soon.