Pic/Stamp basic info?

Up till now, I have made a couple of projects for a kit car such as a shift light and a speed-dependant switch, but these have all used the freq-voltage convertor > comparator method with some trial and error. While I've had some success, I am wondering if I would be better placed to "go digital" and use some of the pic/basic chips I have seen. For instance, if there is a programming language that is basic-esque (I'm ok at vb, not c though) I assume it would be (for a 4 mark shift light):

if pulse/sec > 83 then output1 = on if pulse/sec > 91 then output2 = on if pulse/sec > 100 then output3 = on if pulse/sec > 108 then output4 = on

obviously thats VERY over simplistic but you get the drift!

Anyway, any good sites I should be looking at? How would I interface a pulsed signal into the chip, and are there "counter" type options so I could bung the current count into a variable for comparison? Also, there seem to be hundreds of different chips available...

I am in the UK and I see Maplins do a couple of Basic "student" kits, would these be any good? Cheers, James.

Reply to
James
Loading thread data ...

The chances are someone else has already done something similar to what you are trying to do. I'm sure BASIC is available. Repost your question to the Microchip Discussion Forum at

formatting link

I got started programming PIC's some years ago using:

a) the free assembler from Microchip

formatting link

b) a good quality programmer. I got the Warp 13 from

formatting link
but these days you can very easily make your own if you plan to stick to versions of the PIC that have in circuit programming (eg 16Fxxx series for example) Try a web search for a PIC programmer design.

c) a "PIC Project board" from Farnell (part 120-054) but perhaps you already have a small breadboard system?

d) The book "A Beginners Guide to the Microchip PIC" by Nigel Gardner which came with free S/W and examples (Caution: If you buy this book make you get a recent edition as the original was written in 1994!)

I just purchased a C compiler which comes with a large number of example programs for everything from "measure pulse widths" to an "example web server".

shift

freq-voltage

some

use

ok

could

would

Reply to
CWatters

Ty this page for BASIC....

formatting link

you

formatting link

already

which

get

(I'm

to

Reply to
CWatters

Thanks for the pointers!

Reply to
James

ElectronDepot website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.