Microcontroller Programming Kit - LCD

Microcontroller Programming Kit with LCD

Want to learn microcontroller programming?
Develop your own microcontroller projects?
Want an Arduino alternative that teaches you microcontroller basics?

This modular kit, based on the latest generation Microchip PIC16F1789 microcontroller, starts with the basics and takes you through understanding how microcontrollers work, assembly language and C programming for microcontrollers to developing your own embedded projects. Everything you need in one kit!

Main Features

• Modular hardware that grows with your needs
• Tutorials covering the basics, embedded C programming and using sensors
• Lessons on using MPLAB X development environment
• 40 sample projects in assembler and C languages
• PIC book on CD
• Microchip PICKit4 programmer and emulator for downloading and debugging projects
• Includes base board, training board and LCD

Hardware Description

The base board supports all 8, 14, 20, 28 and 40-pin PIC chips and comes fitted with a PIC16F1789 chip. This is one the latest high performance, low power and large memory PIC chips available. Modules, such as the training board and LCD supplied with this kit and many others like prototyping boards, sensors and other modules can be connected to the base board to create a modular embedded system.

The board has a USB interface unlike most PIC boards, which provides an easy interface to your PC. It also has a connector for the PICKit4 debugger and programmer. The board can powered by USB cable or by PICKit4 so no power supply is needed.

PICKit4

This is a genuine Microchip tool that can be used as a programmer with its own software or as a programmer and emulator from MPLAB X development environment.

Using an emulator lets you debug your program in real time by stepping through your code to see what happens. This is one of the many advantages this kit has over any Arduino based system. It also powers the target hardware.

Microcontroller Tutorial

As well as a PIC book on CD that covers all the basics, there are comprehensive HTML based tutorials that cover everything you need to know to develop your own microcontroller projects. Unlike the Arduino alternative, it actually teaches you about the microcontroller, proper development tools and C programming.

• Microcontroller design and structure
• Numbering systems and logic
• Planning your programs
• How to use MPLAB X IDE effectively
• Programming in assembly language
• C Programming for microcontrollers
• How to download and debug a project
• How to setup and use the microcontroller peripherals like timers, ADC and PWM
• Discover how to interface UART, LCD, keypads, sensors and much more
• Learn how to re-use code and library files to create a complex project
• Create your own projects

Kit Overview

Contents

• MICRO-X Motherboard with PIC16F1789 device
• MICRO-X training board
• MICRO-X 16 x 2 LCD
• PICKit4 Debugger and Emulator
• Cables, leads and mounting pillars
• CD with tutorials, sample projects, book, datasheets, guides, schematics and more
• MPLAB X and XC8 C compiler for free download

Summary
This microcontroller programming kit is the ideal Arduino alternative. Unlike Arduino it operates in the real world without hiding from you all the basics of embedded system programming. It teaches you how to use professional development environments and debug tools, teaches you assembly language and C programming as well as introducing all the skills you need to do your own microcontroller programming.

The kit has everything you need to create your own projects and there are accessories available to expand the system, including keypads, prototyping boards and sensor packs.

PIC18F series Microcontrollers
The board also supports PIC18F series microcontrollers as they have the same pin-out as PIC16F. PICKIT4 also supports PIC18F in program and debug mode. There are some PIC18 assembler and C projects on the CD that cover all the basics. See related products for a suitable PIC18F4221 microcontroller.