Introduction to Microcontrollers and the Board of Education

Introduction to Microcontrollers and the Board of Education Digital Electronics

Board of Education (BOE) - Intro This presentation will • Present an overview of Microcontrollers and their typical applications • Detail Parallax’s Board of Education Single Board Computer • Detail Parallax’s BASIC Stamp Module and the PIC 16 C 57 Microcontroller • Present an overview of the BASIC Stamp Development System 2

First…. What is a Computer? All computers, including microcontrollers, must contain… – Central Processing Unit (CPU) – Some form of memory (MEMORY) – Input & Output Devices (I/O) 3

PC Computer • PC computers (i. e. a desktop or laptop) are designed to… – Perform a wide verity of tasks. – Run numerous programs. • A PC computer generally contain… – CPU : A very powerful processor such as Intel’s Pentium or AMD’s Phenom – Memory : Several types of memory such as ROM, RAM, Cache, DVD, CD, and a Hard drive. – I/O : Keyboard/Mouse for inputs & Monitor/Printer for outputs. 4

Microcontroller What makes a microcontroller different ? • Microcontrollers are designed to… – Perform one dedicated task. – Run one specific program. • A microcontroller generally contain… – CPU : Small, low cost, and low power processor. With their features limited to the requirements of the application. – Memory : ROM memory to hold the one program and a small amount of RAM. – I/O : Depends on the application § Burglar Alarm System : Inputs from window & door switches; Outputs to siren and 911 auto dialer. § Automotive Cruise Control : Inputs from controls and 5 speedometer; Outputs to accelerator and brakes.

Microcontroller Applications • Microcontrollers are frequently called "embedded controllers" or "embedded systems" because they’re embedded inside other device • Typical applications – – – Burglar Alarm System Automotive Cruse Control Cell Phones MP 3 Players Home HVAC Systems • Can you think of other applications? 6

Introduction to the Board Of Education • In this class you will be using a single board computer called the Board Of Education (BOE). • The BOE is manufactured by Parallax Inc. www. parallax. com) • With a little background in the BASIC programming language, the BOE will allow you to implement embedded controllers/systems quickly and easily. Board Of Education 7

Overview of the BOE • USB Interface to PC • Battery & Wall-Wart Connectors and Voltage Regulator • Servo Motor Interface Connectors • Proto-Board Area • Reset Switch • Power Switch • Connection Headers to BASIC Stamp • BASIC Stamp 8

The BASIC Stamp • Signal Conditioning Conditions voltage signals between USB connection (+/12 V) and BASIC Stamp (5 V) • EEPROM Stores the PBASIC program. • 5 V Regulator Regulates voltage to 5 V with a supply of 5. 5 VDC to 15 VDC • System Clock Sets the speed at which the instructions are executed • PIC-16 C 57 Microcontroller Executes the PBASIC instructions stored in the EEPROM 9

The BASIC Stamp Why is it called the BASIC Stamp? • First; it runs programs written in the BASIC programming language. Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code • Second; It looks like, and is about the size of, a postage stamp. 10

The PIC-16 C 57 Microcontroller The Microcontroller on the BASIC Stamp • The PIC name refers to "Peripheral Interface Controller" • 8 Bit System / CMOS Technology • 20 General Purpose I/O Pins • 8 Bit Counter • 2 K Bytes of EEPROM • 72 Bytes of RAM • Manufactured by 11

BASIC Stamp Development System Icon to Start BASIC Stamp Development System Current Directory Standard Tool Bar Directory Sub-Window Program Sub-Window This window shows all the directories and sub-directories on your hard drive. This is where your program goes. File Sub-Window This window shows all the BASIC program files that are in the current directory 12

Resources Parallax Inc. (2004). What’s A Microcontroller. – Retrieved July 15, 2009 – fttp: //www. parallax. com/tabid/440/Default. aspx