L.e.d

[Marty]

Hi, i go to college and my teacher randomly said make a circuit containing L.E.D and micro-controllers. However i have no idea how to program a micro controller an i don't have any softwares to do this. Can anyone give me some advise please?

[mackrackit]

Is this an electronics class?
Does your school have a programmer?

Goto microchip.com and download MPLAB (free), but you will also need some parts and a programmer.

[Marty]

Which Mplabs should i get because there are several downloads available to download from

[Marty]

Hi, i have downloaded MPlabs (the correct one) but i have no idea on how to use it.
Can anyone help?
Thanks

[mackrackit]

Most of the information needed is in the help file, but I know it can be daunting the first time through.

So to better help you.
What programming language do you plan to use?
What are you planning for a programmer?
What PIC chips do you have available?

[Marty]

I prefer English
Well i am planning to make an electronic game where a button is pressed and L.E.D flashes and create a pattern and the micro controller controls which ones to flash
I don't know which Microchip is the best though.
thanks

[Marty]

I got some idea on how to use basis but i don't exactly knoq how to program the process i want.

Also the microchip you recommended for me '16F676' is good but i couldn't find out how many pins and inputs it has. Can you help me please?

Thanks you

[mackrackit]

Hi Marty,

Have you got PIC BASIC yet? and a programmer?

Go to Micro Chip's web site for the data sheet and read it. The data sheet tells everything about every pin on the chip.

To make a LED blink :

LOOP:             'label
HIGH PORTC.5    'makes the pin output a positive voltage  
PAUSE 100         'will pause for 100 milli seconds
LOW PORTC.5     'makes the pin zero voltage
PAUSE 100
GOTO LOOP        'starts over

[Darrel Taylor]

Hi Marty,

Since the assignment didn't specify PIC's as the microcontroller. And since it's such an easy project...

I think you'll be much happier using a Basic Stamp.
No programming hardware required (other than your computer).
No messing with oscillators and config settings and analog pins and ... and ... and ...

Many people here started out with Basic Stamps, Me included.
None of them will ever go back to Stamps after using PIC's, but it's a MUCH better place to start.

You'll have it up and running the first day or 2.
With PIC's It might be a Week or 2.

http://www.parallax.com
<br>

[Marty]

Hi i have got all the items i need to create my project but i do not know how to use BASIC and i've researched how to do it but i found nothing. Can anyone help me?
Also is there any 32 pin microchip with 16 outputs?
Thanks

[mackrackit]

Are you going to use a Basic Stamp or a straight PIC chip.