26. February 2010 by admin.

For the fourth consecutive year, Embed Inc. has been awarded the prestigious GOLD level in the Microchip Technology, Inc. authorized consultant program.Their products include:LProg ultra low cost PIC programmer for the 3.3 volt only PICs.  $25 each, $60 for three.  
USBProg in-circuit USB PIC programmer for professional lab or bench use.  $80.  
The USBProg2 is the USBProg in a box.  For field use where taking a few hits is all in a day’s work.  $140.  
ProProg in-circuit PIC programmer for embedding into production fixtures.  $99.  
ReadyBoard-01 ready to go board for projects using PICs with the 28 pin footprint like the 16F886, 18F2620, etc.  Power supply, RS-232, debug LEDs and more all taken care of, with large breadboard area for your circuit.  From $66.67 to $89.99.  
ReadyBoard-02 ready to go for PIC USB projects.  Comes with 18F2550 and example software to control pins right out of the box.  Very flexible power supplies, RS-232, debug LEDs, and large breadboard area.  From $64 to $75.  
RSLink Logic level to RS-232 converter.  Converts the 0 - 5 volt UART signals of most microcontrollers to RS-232 compatible with a standard PC COM port.  Requires 5V power.  $18 for singles, $60 for five.  

RSLink2 Logic level to RS-232 converter.  Converts logic level microcontroller UART signals to RS-232.  Runs on 3.0 to 5.5 volt power.  $20 for singles, $69 for five.  

Posted in Embed Inc, RS-232, Programmer, USB, PIC | Print | 1 Comment »

23. February 2010 by admin.

From Avent’s Power Design Solutions Guide.

Increase efficiency and lower cost using digital power conversion from Microchip. Together with Avnet Memec, Microchip is offering qualified registrants a dsPIC Digital Power Conversion Design Kit. Offer ends May 3, 2010.

 dsPIC DIGITAL POWER CONVERSION DESIGN KIT OFFER 
Together with Avnet Memec, Microchip is offering qualified registrants a dsPIC Digital Power Conversion Design Kit. This kit include a Buck/Boost Converter PICtail™ Plus Daughter Board (AC164133), 16-bit 28-pin Starter Board (DM300027), PICkit™ 3 Debug Express (DV164131) and samples of the dsPIC33FJ16GS502-I/SP. Click the Register link at the bottom of this page to qualify for a kit.

More About Digital Power Conversion
Traditional power conversion products, such as light ballasts, inverters and AC-DC/DC-DC power supplies have employed an analog control loop for basic control of the PWM module, integrated circuits (ICs) and power devices. In these types of power products, additional digital control and communication performed by a microcontroller has been layered on top. In digital power conversion, however, the analog control loop is replaced with a digital control loop, and the PWM module is typically integrated into the same microcontroller that is performing the high-level control and communication.

By using digital loop control to implement power conversion, developers can realize many benefits. These benefits are enabled by the ability to perform power-conversion control via reprogrammable software, as well as the performance and features offered by a digital solution.

Designers using new, flexible DSCs for digital power conversion are experiencing newfound abilities to innovate. For more information on Digital Power Conversion Solutions from Microchip, visit www.microchip.com/SMPS.

Posted in Avnet, Digital Power, 16-bit, dsPIC, Development Tool | Print | 3 Comments »

20. February 2010 by admin.

From: http://www.mikroe.com/en/books/dspicbook/mikropascal/

Learn how to write your own program, debug it, and use it to start the microcontroller. We have provided plenty of practical examples with necessary connection schematics: temperature sensors, AD and DA converters, LCD and LED displays, relays, communications, and the book is constantly being updated with fresh examples. All code is commented in details to make it easier for beginners. Instruction set, operators, control structures, and other elements of PASCAL are thoroughly explained with many examples. Also, the book includes a useful appendix on mikroPascal for dsPIC development environment: how to install it and how to use it to its full potential.

Authors: Zoran Milivojević, Djordje Šaponjić

Posted in Pascal, MikroElektronika, DSP, 16-bit, dsPIC, Books | Print | 1 Comment »

19. February 2010 by admin.

From @FutureFAE on Twitter:

Hay all you dsPIC users! There’s a new version of the MPLAB C compiler for dsPICs and PIC24s. Share and enjoy!http://bit.ly/biKpWF

Posted in Complier, Twitter, 16-bit | Print | 1 Comment »

18. February 2010 by admin.

From Microchip’s Twitter page:

Free passes to the World Meter Design Congress 2010 exhibition floor. Use Promo code MIC001 at http://bit.ly/cviYHx

Posted in Tradeshows, Training & Education, Free Stuff | Print | 1 Comment »

15. February 2010 by admin.

From http://www.microchipc.com/PIC_tips/PIC_tips_1.php

When it comes to compiling files under Hi-Tech C, there are two methods of doing it. One method is to have a single main.c file, and use #include for all the .c files in the project. Call this the ‘one file with multiple #include of c files’ method.

The second method, also the one usually recommended by C programmers, is to have lots of individual .obj files, and link them at the end. Call this the ‘lots of .obj files’ method.

For the ‘one giant file’ method, in MPLab under ‘node properties’, select ‘PIC C compiler’ for the root node. For the ‘lots of .obj files’ method, select ‘PIC C linker’ for the root node.

The advantages of the ‘one file with multiple #include of c files’ method

Produces smaller .hex file for a large compiled program. For the 16F876/7, there is 8k of program, divided into 4 pages. A psect cannot cross a page boundary. Sometimes there is wasted space before the end of each page boundary. Because the linker has access to all the functions at once, it does a really good job of fitting them in. Try it yourself - get a large (~8k, ~5000 line) program, and it will be smaller using this method.

The advantages of the ‘lots of .obj files’ method

• This method supports libraries (ie: in MPLab under ‘Edit Project, the ‘library path’ box is enabled.
• This method supports incremental compiles, which saves a little time, as long as the correct path is entered

What do you think? email support@microchipc.com.

Posted in Tips & Tricks, MPLAB | Print | 1 Comment »

12. February 2010 by admin.

From: http://www.mikroe.com/en/compilers/mikrobasic/pro/dspic/ Basic compiler for dsPIC30/33 and PIC24 microcontrollers
A beginner? Worry not. Easy-to-learn BASIC syntax, advanced compiler features, built-in routines, and many examples we have provided allow a fast start in programming dsPIC30/33 and PIC24. 

Fully functional free Demo version of mikroBasic PRO for dsPIC30/33 and PIC24 2010 is available for download.

PRO Price: $199 USD  Buy it now and get freeproduct lifetime support.Buy mikroBasic with one of our dsPIC30 or dsPIC33/PIC24 development boards at 25% discount on compiler price! All of our previous customers are entitled to the discount! Price: $149 USD  

Posted in Free Demo, MikroElektronika, Programmer, Complier, USB | Print | 1 Comment »

11. February 2010 by admin.

In November of 2008, ARM announced the availability of the Cortex Microcontroller Software Interface Standard (CMSIS). They claim that this will reduce the cost of designing software when creating projects for new devices or migrating existing software between Cortex-M based microcontrollers from different silicon vendors. This sounds very good, but is it valid? This paper investigates these claims to determine just how valid they are. This paper also looks at the components of a typical microcontroller and then see just what can or cannot be gained by adding an abstraction layer on top of the typical peripheral firmware libraries.

Get it at http://www.eetimes.com/electrical-engineers/education-training/tech-papers/4211329/Application-Portability-for-32-Bit-Microcontrollers 

Posted in Arm, White Paper, 32-bit | Print | 1 Comment »

9. February 2010 by admin.

From: http://www.mikroe.com/en/books/digital-filter-design/

The purpose of this book is to provide you with different theorethical and practical approaches to digital filter design. The book covers design of both finite and infinite impulse response filters. In addition, it applies the most popular and most commonly used design methodes giving the best solutions. Intuitive explanations and numerous examples contained in this book will help you to devolope your understanding of these methods and test your knowledge on concrete issues.

Author: Zoran Milivojević

Posted in Digital Filter Design, MikroElektronika, Free Stuff, Books | Print | 1 Comment »

6. February 2010 by admin.

Product Sellout: 15% OFF 4DSystems OLED Displays & modules, and also VGA modules. This deal is not to be repeated. Buy at this reduced price until sold out, or pay normal retail, direct from 4d Systems, or their world wide dealers.

All Dontronics SimmSticks and Connectors: 50% - 75% off.

Posted in Motherboards, Connectors, VGA Modules, OLED Displays, Dontronics | Print | 1 Comment »