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![]() Getting started building and programming microcontroller circuits presents a bit of a learning curve. The phrase 'bit of a learning curve' is a literary device called understatement. The curve sometimes feels much like a brick wall as you scrape your nose along it. No single step is impossibly difficult but taken together it may seem that way. In this section I will introduce you to the tools I use. These tools, in conjunction with the projects on this site, may assist you to ease more gently into this interesting pastime.
ResourcesHere is a list of resources that you may find helpful in your own experiments. Some of these are well known while others have been harder to find. Software MicroChipYou can find a range of free PIC compilers here. They operate in full mode for 30 days and then turn off advanced optimizations. Even with the optimizations turned off they generate good code. mikroElektronika mikroElektronika manufactures tools for microcontrollers, and compilers for popular microcontroller series. Best of all for the hobbyist is that there are free versions of the compilers. They have code size restrictions but for getting started these are a great help. They offer C, Basic, and Pascal for a variety of microcontroller families. dipTrace dipTrace is a professional and easy-to-use PCB Design software with a powerful autorouter. There is a free version for hobbyists. In this case there is a limit on the total number of pins (250) and some missing export options needed for professional manufacturing. None of these are show stoppers for the hobbyist. Suppliers Digikey CA MicroChipManufacturer of PIC microcontrollers. Supply very good PIC programmers for a very reasonable price. Check out the PICkit2. Jameco ElectronicsSupplier of electronic components and equipment. Jameco has very cheap prices on some items. I've bought 5mm orange LEDs for as little as 2.5¢ each and 1/8 watt resisters for a penny. Mouser ElectronicsSupplier of electronic components and equipment. Not quite as cheap as Jameco but a much bigger selection. The RobotShop Kysan Electronics Supplier of electronic components, testing equipment, and power products. They are an especially a good source of stepper motors. I was looking for a source of strong stepper motors for a CNC project. Kysan Electronics sourced these for me at a price that was much lower than any other I had found. The motors arrived in a timely fashion and work well. Other Gold Pheonix - PCB Fabrication(Nov 2010) Gold Pheonix is a Chinese PCB fabricator. I've used this service twice with very good results. I sent them zipped up gerber files and I received great quality boards in under two weeks. There's a hobbyist special for 155sq.inches of your finished PCB's that is similar to the price you'd pay for only 2 or 3 boards elsewhere. In my cases I received about 18 of each of the two boards I've sent. |
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