PIC

We live in an age of wonder... I can buy 32bit MIPS processor boards (aka PIC32) for $49. I am considering using one for my car computer project, but on this page at the moment I am only talking about using a PICKIT2 to control a keyboard for the upcoming MakerFaire 3/13.

Development tools

Hardware

I am now using a PICKIT 2 purchased directly from Microchip, it is a great deal. For $50 you get a development board, the programmer, and the software. http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en023805&redirects=pickit2

Pickit 2

http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en027813

Microchip product page

Official FAQ in Microchip forum

Alt PICKIT 2 FAQ http://www.voti.nl/pickit2faq/index.html

1/13/13 -- My recent foray was unsatisfying because I found my Pickit 2 does not support the 16F690 for debugging with the C compiler, even though it's the chip on the Pickit 2 board... I am setting up a breadboard with a 16F873 I had in my junk box. Hope it works.

Shopping list 1/13/2013

Light board

1. PIC18F25K20-I/SP-ND Digikey about $3 28 pin package, 16K program, 1K RAM, 25 i/o lines
2. Socket for PIC - I think I can use 2 x 14 pin sockets, have tons of those.
3. Power MOSFET STP36NF06
4. 16 giant white push buttons
5. 16 RGB leds
6. 16 diffusers
7. RGB LED Driver TLC59116F there is an EVAL MODULE FOR TLC59116F-571
8. 6 pin header compatible with PICKIT2

noise maker? RPI + two speakers + stereo amp (have)

Car computer

1. WQVGA LCD? MICROCHIP - AC164127-6 - GRAPHIC DISPLAY, 480X272, TFT LCD, DEMO BOARD $120

http://www.microchipdirect.com/ProductSearch.aspx?Keywords=AC164127-6

Index	Quantity	Part Number	Description	Customer Reference	Available Quantity	Backorder  Quantity	Unit Price	Extended Price
1	10	PIC18F25K20-I/SP-ND	IC PIC MCU FLASH 16KX16 28SDIP		10
Immediate	0	2.12000	$21.20
2	1	296-31024-ND	EVAL MODULE FOR TLC59116F-571		1
Immediate	0	101.00000	$101.00

Subtotal $122.20 Shipping Estimate Sales Tax $0.00 Total unknown

MpLab IDE

I am using MPLABX on Linux Mint (desktop) and Debian (lab). So far I have only installed on Mint.

I only need use MPLABX now, it runs on Linux. I installed it on Mint 14. It shows up in the menus under Programming -> MPLAB IDE. I am using version 1.60 now.

High Level Languages

C language

MPLAB XC: mostly free C compilers http://www.microchip.com/pagehandler/en_us/devtools/mplabxc/ Non-free options offer better optimizations. You get a 60 day eval on PRO level with the free version.

http://www.ccsinfo.com/picc.shtml C compilers starting at just $50.

http://www.fored.co.uk/ Wiz-C

If working with PIC16 or PIC18 see https://sites.google.com/site/rmaalmeida/mplabx-sdcc-toolchain

Basic language

• http://www.melabs.com -- Maker of 'PICBASIC' compiler.
• http://www.BasicMicro.com/ -- "Atom", a mostly Stamp compatible PIC platform. Includes IDE and debugger.
• http://www.crownhill.co.uk/section.php?section=1 Proton Basic
• http://www.picant.com/c2c -- C, C++, and Pascal for the PIC. low cost (< $100)

http://www.xcprod.com/titan/XCSB - optimising structured PIC BASIC compiler

Other PIC Microprocessor Resources

http://www.embeddedrelated.com/ EmbeddedRelated web site, and the mailing list: PIClist