Programming and Customizing the HC11 Microcontroller (CD-ROM)

by Thomas Fox (Author) "A microcontroller unit (MCU) is essentially a "computer on a chip..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A comprehensive introduction to the HC11 microcontroller from the basics to complete applications.

About the Author
Tom Fox (Grand Rapids, MI) has been actively researching and designing electronic circuits for over 25 years. He runs a small electronics store and is a frequent contributor to Popular Electronics, Electronics Now, and other hobbyist magazines. His articles typically deal with various applications of Microcontrollers and microprocessors such as his 5 part series on the HC11 in Computer Craft magazine.

Product Details

• CD-ROM: 268 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics; 1 edition (December 21, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071344063
• ISBN-13: 978-0071344067
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,429,745 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Introduction to a Modern Microcontroller, February 11, 2000

By	James T. McKenna (San Mateo, CA) - See all my reviews

Tom Fox's book takes you on a grand tour of the 68HC11 microcontroller. He begins with the simplest idea of what a computer is and ends with several applications of this particular family of microcontrollers. This is not your PC that is being examined here, but rather a single chip computer (well OK, most applications will probably require a few additional ones). The 68HC11 family is one of the latest of Motorola's line of microcontrollers that started with the 6800 about 25 years ago.

You don't need to be an engineer or technician to tackle this book, but you will need some basic background. To build one of the project boards some printed circuit board soldering and component identification skills are required. This is not a Heathkit, with detailed, illustrated assembly instructions. However the author does provide some insight and well thought out testing procedures.

What makes any computer useful are the software programs. The author provides the ones needed for the exercises and applications that are in the book, but the point is to have the reader come up with the ones needed for other applications. These programs are written in assembly language, which is much simpler than it sounds. The Author explains the fundamentals of this language and details of the instuction set (the commands the 68HC11 can execute). Anyone who has written simple BASIC language programs should have no problem.

The book and accompanying CD ROM have some of the supporting documentation and the author gives a lot of information on how to obtain more. Searching the Internet for additional information can be a great learning experience in itself.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in applying microcontrollers to solve control problems.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Motorola 68HC11 Book, February 10, 2000

By	Myke Predko (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

Tom Fox has created a project orientated book to introduce you to the Motorola 68HC11, the HC11's history and environment as well as using it in applications. The ten projects included in the book will guide you through the HC11 in such a way as you will have the knowledge and confidence with the microcontroller to develop your own applications.

What impressed me the most about the book was Tom's knowledge and outlining the different features and tools developed over the years for the HC11. This book has a very wide range of information for different products and tools needed to work efficiently with the HC11.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical & Hands On, December 20, 2000

By	JOHN P DELANEY (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Just got the book and have spent about an hour with it and I am very pleased so far. First of all you don't have to buy the author's PC boards. There is ample information to create the same circuits with wire wrap. Traces are given that should allow you to make your own boards or have them made. Apendix E give tips on making your own PC boards too. Not too much rocket science there, but some. There are also examples of an HC11 controller circuit on a bread board. I was looking for a book to jump start me on building an HC11 controller and this looks like it will do the job nicely.FYI - I am not any kind of electronics guru either. I like learning by total immersion and this book appears to fit my style. I can't wait to get all the parts and get going. Later - jd