1. Testing 1, 2, 3, testing, testing…

2. Mike Hembrey WCF Technical Specialist KV0OOM
Picaxe JumpStart
Mike Hembrey
WCF Technical Specialist
KV0OOM

3. Microcontroller, not microcomputer
Can perform many tasks
Wordprocessing
Spreadsheets
Video editing
Controlling CNC machines
Digital communications

4. Microcontroller, not microcomputer
Can perform many tasks
Wordprocessing
Spreadsheets
Video editing
Controlling CNC machines
Digital communications
Microcontroller:
Assigned one task
Limited instruction set
Difference is getting blurred

5. Microcontroller
Several Languages
Assembler or Machine
“C”
BASIC

6. Microcontroller Several Languages Assembler or Machine “C”
BASIC  Picaxe

7. Microcontroller Several Languages BASIC is really B.A.S.I.C.
Assembler or Machine
“C”
BASIC  Picaxe
BASIC is really B.A.S.I.C.
What does this really mean?

8. Are you smarter than a 9th grader?

9. Are you smarter than a 9th grader?
Say “yes” if you have a Ham license!

10. $3 Part will have limitations
Memory, but you can add more using I2C
Speed, but you can upsize to faster versions
# of I/O pins, but bigger versions have more pins
Features: analog, digital, PWM, interrupts – (X2 only)

11. More computing power?

12. More computing power?
Still want to stick with BASIC to reuse code?

13. More computing power? Still want to stick with BASIC to reuse code?
Picaxe 40X2 Chip, faster and more pins
Coridium ARMbasic (compiled)
Parallax BASIC Stamp (educational)
MikroElectronica Mikro BASIC (PIC Clicker)

14. Picaxe is an Input/Output Device

15. Picaxe is an Input/Output Device

16. Picaxe is an Input/Output Device

17. Picaxe is an Input/Output Device

18. Picaxe is an Input/Output Device

19. Picaxe is an Input/Output Device

20. Picaxe is an Input/Output Device

21. Picaxe Inputs are very simple
Digital – switches
Analog – variable resistances or voltages

22. Other Picaxe I/O Modes:
I2C – Inter-IC
synchronous, multi-master, multi-slave, packet switched, single- ended, serial computer bus
Serial – Pseudo RS-232 (due to voltage levels)
300 to 115,200 baud
PWM – Pulse Width Modulation
The on-off ratio is varied to give more or less power on time
SPI – Serial Peripheral Interface
Faster, subject to noise interference, single master only

23. Picaxe Manuals & Tutorials
110 Introduction (chip types [8-40 pins], and pinouts)
279 BASIC Commands (complete language reference)
46 Interfacing (using input and output devices)
60 Flowcharts (simulate and create code programs)
35 Blockly (simulator using drag and drop blocks to program)

24. Picaxe Manuals & Tutorials
110 Introduction (chip types [8-40 pins], and pinouts)
279 BASIC Commands (complete language reference)
46 Interfacing (using input and output devices)
60 Flowcharts (simulate and create code programs)
35 Blockly (simulator using drag and drop blocks to program)
76,600 INTERNET is your best friend

25. Your First Development Setup
PC with USB or RS-232 Port
Cable – RS-232 or RS-232 to Picaxe Interface (AXE027)
Integrated Development Environment (IDE) v6
Prototyping board or solderless breadboard
3 to 5.5-volt power source

26. Your First Development Setup
PC with USB or RS-232 Port
Cable – RS-232 or RS-232 to Picaxe Interface (AXE027)
Integrated Development Environment (IDE) v6
Prototyping board or solderless breadboard
3 to 5.5-volt power source
And This  for every circuit….

27. The Solderless Breadboard

28. The 50% Solderless Breadboard

29. Inputs, Assigned to Variables
Variables are Bit, Byte, and Word
Bit = Single bit, 0 or 1
Byte = 8 Bits
Word = 2 Bytes, or 16 Bits
Variable spaces overlap, 16 Word variables total
These variables hold the hi-lo values of the pins.

30. Chomping at the BIT w0 = b1 : b0 w1 = b3 : b2 w2 = b5 : b4
etc...
b0 = bit7: bit6: bit5: bit4: bit3: bit2: bit1: bit0
b1 = bit15: bit14: bit13: bit12: bit11: bit10: bit9: bit8

31. Pin Designations, a bit Goofy
Logical Pin vs. Actual Pin
Your 08M2 program will run on the 20M2 chip

32. Project Idea Sources Internet
Arduino for Ham Radio, by Glen Popiel, ARRL
More Arduino Projects…
CW Beacon and Foxhunt Keyer
Fan Speed Controller
Weather Station
RF Probe with LED (bar) Graph Display
Solar Battery Charge Monitor
On-Air Indicator (RF sensing)
Talking SWR Meter
Field Day Satellite Tracker

33. Project Idea Sources
Internet – Google “picaxe design projects”, 242,000 hits
Arduino for Ham Radio, by Glen Popiel, ARRL
More Arduino Projects…
Az/EL Rotator Controller(Yaesu G5400/5500)
Lightning Detector (estimates distance)
CDE/Hy-Gain Rotator Controller (all new, not a re-fit)
Load Tester (battery, to 20A load)
Voice Memory Keyer (uses pre-recorded messages)
Yaesu FT-series Rotator Controller Interface (to CDR/Hy-Gain box)

34. Primary BASIC Language Keywords
If Then Else
GOTO (a Label)
LabelName (the Label)
For Next
Do Loop
Gosub (a Label), Return
Pause
Input, Output (configure pins for I/O)
120+ command keywords, 150+ non-command

35. Why I like the Picaxe: Lowest cost, especially if I fry one
Programming is in BASIC, with minimal add-on libraries
Don’t like the convoluted syntax of “C”
Ideal for small dedicated projects
Easy to upscale to a higher performance controller
Finally….

36. Why I like the Picaxe
Lowest cost, especially if I fry one
Programming is in BASIC, with minimal add-on libraries
Don’t like the convoluted syntax of “C”
Ideal for small dedicated projects
Easy to upscale to a higher performance controller
Finally….
The massive amount of information on the Internet!

37. The End

38. Mike Hembrey Mike.kv0oom@gmail.com
The End Beginning
Mike Hembrey