Learn how to use microcontrollers without all the frills and math. This book uses a practical approach to show you how to develop embedded systems with 8 bit PIC microcontrollers using the XC8 compiler. It's your complete guide to understanding modern PIC microcontrollers.

Are you tired of copying and pasting code into your embedded projects? Do you want to write your own code from scratch for microcontrollers and understand what your code is doing? Do you want to move beyond the Arduino? Then Programming PIC Microcontrollers with XC8 is for you! Written for those who want more than an Arduino, but less than the more complex microcontrollers on the market, PIC microcontrollers are the next logical step in your journey.

You'll also see the advantage that MPLAB X offers by running on Windows, MAC and Linux environments. You don't need to be a command line expert to work with PIC microcontrollers, so you can focus less on setting up your environment and more on your application.

What You’ll Learn

• Set up the MPLAB X and XC8 compilers for microcontroller development
• Use GPIO and PPS
• Review EUSART and Software UART communications
• Use the eXtreme Low Power (XLP) options of PIC microcontrollers
• Explore wireless communications with WiFi and Bluetooth

Who This Book Is For

Those with some basic electronic device and some electronic equipment and knowledge. This book assumes knowledge of the C programming language and basic knowledge of digital electronics though a basic overview is given for both. A complete newcomer can follow along, but this book is heavy on code, schematics and images and focuses less on the theoretical aspects of using microcontrollers. This book is also targeted to students wanting a practical overview of microcontrollers outside of the classroom.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Preparing for Development

Chapter 2: The C Programming Language

Chapter 3: Basic Electronics for Embedded Systems

Chapter 4: PIC® Microcontrollers

Chapter 5: Connecting and Creating

Chapter 6: Input and Output

Chapter 7: Interfacing Actuators

Chapter 8: Interrupts, Timers, Counters, and PWM

Chapter 9: USART, SPI, and 12C: Serial Communication Protocols

Chapter 10: Interfacing Displays

Chapter 11: ADC and DAC

Chapter 12: NCO, Comparator, and FVR

Chapter 13: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Chapter 14: Watchdog Timer and Low Power

Chapter 15: PIC ® Microcontroller Projects

Appendix A: Resources

Appendix B: Making Your Own PCBs and Schematics

About the Author

Armstrong Subero has been tinkering with electronics for as long as he can remember. The thrill of creating something from the ground up and watching it work is something that one never shakes. His entire life changed when he discovered microcontrollers. They were so powerful and simple and complex, all at the same time. After finishing school, Armstrong taught himself programming. Armstrong landed his first job as a Systems Technologist completely self taught and a lot of it was due to his in depth knowledge and passion for microcontroller technology. He has used many microcontroller families during the course of his work, however he has an affinity for PIC microcontrollers. Armstrong currently works for the Ministry of National Security in his country and designs robots as well as write books, blogs and software on trinirobotics.com and angelstemlabs.org in his free time.