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PIC Training Course Mini Course Part 2: LCD, Keypad and ADC and measuring temperature & solar panel power New January 2023 |
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This PIC training course is Part 2 of our mini course. It follows that for Part 2 you are expected to have some knowledge of programming. If you have experience of programming but never used a PIC you should find no problem starting here. All the programme code is written in assembler which is the natural language of PIC microcontrollers. We avoid the complex procedures making this the easiest way to learn about programming PICs. |
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This course follows the same well proven pattern of our P955 PIC training source which has achieved wide spread approval from the readers. Instead of wading laboriously into detailed theory the interest of the reader is captured by jumping straight into creating useful code. All the code is created to run in a PIC18F24K22 fitted in a GPICZv8 General Purpose training circuit which is shown above at the center of the picture. Chapter 2 gives essential information about the PIC we are using. We start the study in chapter 3 by loading assembler from the built in library to set up the PIC, then we type in code to turn on the RGB LEDs one at a time in sequence. We load the library code to drive the LCD and the keypad and experiment with these. In chapter 4 we learn about using the analogue to digital converter then in chapters 5, 6 and 7 we create the code to measure temperature using three different sensors: LM35 and thermistor temperature sensors and BMP280 temperature and air pressure sensor. In chapter 8 we combine the three systems of temperature measurement and display all three on the LCD. It is the ideal way to compare the results. In chapter 9 we start the process of measuring the power from a solar panel. In theory it is a simple task: Measure the current, measure the voltage then multiply the two. The problem is that the measurements must be made when the solar panel is connected to the correct load. A typical solar panel behaves as a current source with a maximum voltage which changes with the light level. A rechargeable battery is the usual load but the power that it takes gets lower as the battery charges. So we use a unique 100 watt load which behaves almost the same as a battery but gives consistent results day after day. |
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The components in the 100 watt load are rated for a total continuous dissipation of 90 watts at 25 degrees C but the components heat each other so in practice the load should be run just long enough to make a stable measurement. In the final experiment we use the MOSFET on the load's PCB to turn ON for half a second, take a measurement then turn OFF for 5 seconds, then ON for half a second, make a measurement and so on. So a measurement is made every 5.5 seconds with the load ON for one eleventh of the time. In chapter 10 we add software to measure the temperature of the 100 watt load while the power is being measured. Remember that this is a training course which does mean that you may not have an immediate use for what you are studying. We start in chapter 3 with easy experiments and build up gradually to more complex ideas. The problems of measuring the power of a solar panel are more involved than you can ever imagine. So even if you have no wish to buy a solar panel you will find reading chapter 9 is good education. |
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The GPICZv8, shown above top right, has sockets to plug on a 16x2 LCD, keypad, LM35 temperature sensor, thermistor temperature sensor, BMP280 air pressure and temperature sensor, simple rf receiver, simple rf transmitter, nRF24L01 rf transceiver, and 3 way and 8 way i/o sockets. The code can be written into the GPICZv8 using a Brunning Software programmer or a PICkit 3 or PICkit 4. The 6 pin plug for the PICkit 3/4 and 7 pin socket for the Brunning Software programmer are both at the left of the GPICZv8 PCB. The 6 pin plug is directly above the 7 pin socket. The instructions in the Part 2 book assume that a Brunning Software programmer is being used. So you must have (or buy) a P205, P206, P931, P942 or P955 programmer. A PICkit 3/4 is not needed for the experiments in the Part 2 manual. |
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If you have Part 1 of the mini course then you have a P205 programmer so go for Option 2. If you have our PIR & RF Data Course go for Option 3. Software is usually supplied on CD. If you require software on memory stick send an email request to pic@brunningsoftware.com |
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Option 1: Mini course part 2 complete..... £81.45 including delivery to UK Includes P205 programmer. Supplied built and tested.
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Option 2: Mini course part 2 no P205..... £61.45 including delivery to UK P205 not included. Supplied built and tested.
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Option 3: For customers who have our PIR & RF Data course Mini course part 2..... £48.90 including delivery to UK No P205, No LCD and No keypad Supplied built and tested.
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