ICE 3M Introduction to Microcontrollers - Away Assignment 7/My/2003

For the rest of the year we will be using the theory and practice from the course to connect and program microcontrollers. This will be the summative for the course. The first assignment will involve flashing a LED but this time using a microcontroller instead of the 555 integrated circuit. This method is much mor powerful and cost effective.

This assignment is designed to introduce you to the concept of a microcontroller, how it is used and the steps to program it.

Assignment

Complete the following on paper and hand in by the end of class.

• answers on http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/microcontroller.htm
• Read 'How Microcontrollers Work'
• Questions
  • 1. Name 6 devises which contain a microcontroller.
• Read 'What is a Microcontroller'
  • 2. Is a microcontroller a computer? No or Yes
  • 3. List 4 characteristics of all computers.
  • 4. What is another name for a microcontroller?
  • 5. Where is information stored on a microcontroller?
  • 6. What is the typical size of ROM and RAM for a low end microcontroller?

   

• answers on http://www.mikroelektronika.co.yu/english/product/books/picbasicbook/01.htm
• Read 'Introduction' and ''1.1 Basic for PIC microcontrollers'
• Questions
  • 7. Sketch the figure at the end of the introduction but before section 1.1 into your notes.

• Final Activity
  • 8. Search the internet and find a pinout for a pic16F84 or pic16F84A chip and sketch it in your notes.