pic24 beginner

[robertpeach]

ive decided after looking through the specifications in high detail, i think the 18f2431 is probably best suited for my needs, since i noticed it does have 3 digital inputs for my 3 signals that need their frequency measured, and it has the schmitt trigger integrated into its inputs.

im going to purchase the picbasic pro aswell, but im still dubious on the programmer... the pickit2, is a good site to purchase it from? and is the basic pickit2 good enough or is the pickit2 debug express something that is more suited for my needs?
(i notice the pickit2 startup kit doesnt have enough pin slots for the 18f2431)

thanks!

[robertpeach]

ok another reply by me...

basically i was wondering if i bought a picbasic pro, usb programmer with a zif adapter, and pic18f2431 would work?

additionally would purchasing a development board be something that would be needed? or anything of that such...

thanks sorry for so many replys ive been pretty active at this, and im trying to learn basic without a program to even write it in yet!

[Bruce]

you say the 18f2431 is specifically for frequency measurements

The PIC is not specifically for measuring frequencies. It just has a capture module
that makes it much easier to do since it will capture the value of Timer5 on every
rising edge - which is the period of the square wave.

also you say it does two simultaneously?

It can take 2 A/D readings simultaneously.

i have 3 phases from my analogue signal, which are split into 3 different signals, all of which i need to measure the frequency of and get an average. is this still possible with this pic?

Yes.

and would using the 18f2431 be alot easier than using a schmitt trigger and just measuring the frequency of 3 square waves using interupts? would there be 3 places on the pic i could make these inputs aswell?

Yes it has 3 capture inputs, and using built-in hardware to measure frequency is a good
deal easier than interrupts. All 3 capture inputs just happen to be Schmitt Triggers inputs
too.

If you do need to use interrupts, then I definitely recommend you take a look at Darrel
Taylors' Instant Interrupt routines. He's done some awesome work on these.

[Bruce]

basically i was wondering if i bought a picbasic pro, usb programmer with a zif adapter, and pic18f2431 would work?

Yep. A PICKit2 is nice also, but with the U2 USB programmer you can buy ZIF adapters for
most any package type, use it for in-circuit programming or dropping the PIC into the ZIF
socket.

additionally would purchasing a development board be something that would be needed? or anything of that such...

Development boards are handy, but not necessarily needed You might be in a better
position to pick out a good development board that best suits your needs once you get
farther into your project.

[robertpeach]

ok thank you thats cleared a few things up for me!

also if i buy a picbasic pro, a programmer such as usb programmer with a zif adapter and the pic, is there any need to buy a development board or demo board?

[Ioannis]

If you intent to use the programmer for serious work forget pickit and look for something solid and fast one.

I use for years the Pikprog2 that is discontinued and replaced by other newer models. The site is www.elnec.com and can program with ICSP or with a ZIF socket, PIC controllers, HCSxxx devices and EEPROMS too. New chips added every two months at no cost.

There are others of course in the net.

Ioannis

[Ioannis]

Demo no. But a dev. board in many cases espeacially when you are new to PIC programming might help. But as Bruce stated is not needed. You can just use a Breadboard and lay your circuit on it just fine. Also you can place on the breadborad carefully some header pins and do also ICSP or in fact In-Breadboard Serial Programming!

Ioannis

[robertpeach]

Thanks, thats made things easier.

im thinking of buying this programmer startup kit http://www.mecanique.co.uk/products/pic-prog/usb.html because it seems pretty good for what i need and for my pic. just checking it will actually work for me?

thanks again

[Ioannis]

If you are a hobbist then go for it. Its more than OK.

Ioannis

[mackrackit]

The only dev board you need is a breadboard and some parts. Much more versitile and you can many different projects laying around that you are working on for minimal cost.

I have a serious programmer, a PicStart+, at least it is in the price range of a serious programmer. I got tired of the ZIF thing and the adapters for ICSP. Maybe if I did production work I would look at if differently.

With the basic PicKit2 all you need is a 6 pin header that can be plugged into a breadboard or made into the finished PCB if you want to tweak things later.

We all have different ways of doing things or different needs. In the end you have to figure out what works best for you.

[Archangel]

My first programmer was a JDM clone with ZIF 40 way socket $8. US eBay, I bought the PICKit2 with the low pin demo board at the recommendation of several members and a book by Chuck H. I love it. I do not have to fool around with wires to hook up, I can reprogram and debug with 1 button, great for the more simple programs and I never have to pull the chip. I have worn out many PICs pins inserting, removing and programming. Yes it does ICSP with wires too. Definitely worth the 20 or so bucks it costs additional to the PICKit2. Not a replacement for a breadboard but a nice addition.