Digital Electronics Introduction to Microcontrollers and the Board of Education

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- 16C57 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 speedometer; Outputs to accelerator and brakes. 5

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 –MP3 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. With a little background in the BASIC programming language, the BOE will allow you to implement embedded controllers/systems quickly and easily. 7 Board Of Education

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 (+/- 12V) and BASIC Stamp (5V) EEPROM Stores the PBASIC program. 5V Regulator Regulates voltage to 5V with a supply of 5.5VDC to 15VDC System Clock Sets the speed at which the instructions are executed PIC-16C57 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. B eginner's A ll-purpose S ymbolic I nstruction C ode Second; It looks like, and is about the size of, a postage stamp. 10

The PIC-16C57 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 12 Icon to Start BASIC Stamp Development System Program Sub-Window This is where your program goes. File Sub-Window This window shows all the BASIC program files that are in the current directory Directory Sub-Window This window shows all the directories and sub-directories on your hard drive. Current Directory Standard Tool Bar

Resources Parallax Inc. (2004). What’s A Microcontroller. –Retrieved July 15, 2009 –fttp://