28. February 2009 by admin.

Check out http://www.vscp.org

VSCP stands for Very Simple Control Protocol and it is, as the name implies, a very simple protocol indeed ( a protocol is much like a language for machines etc on how they should talk with each other). It is simple because it has been developed for use on low end devices such as micro controllers. But actually its more then just a protocol. Its a complete solution for measurement and control. And even though VSCP is very easy to use it is still very capable and can be used in very demanding control situations.

Except for a very well specified message format the protocol supports global unique identifiers for nodes, a register model to give a flexible interface to node configuration and a model for node functionality.

VSCP does not assume anything about the lower level system. It works with Ethernet TCP/IP, Wireless, Zigbee, Bluetooth, CAN, GPRS, RS-232, USB and everything else you want. Its just a uniform way of describing the systems available. Every control situation can be described and implemented using VSCP.

A normal user does not see or know much of VSCP anyway. Its just the underlying control system that makes things possible. Much the same way as someone driving a car does not need to know a lot about motors.

Some features:

• Free and open for commercial and other use.

• Have two levels. Level I and Level II where level I is designed with CAN as the least common denominator. Can be used for TCP/IP, UDP, RF, Mains, etc etc.

• Has globally unique id’s for each node.

• Has a mechanism to automatically assign a unique id to a newly installed node.

• Can use “decision matrixes” and “registers” as a uniform way to configure nodes.

• Has software and drivers for Windows and Linux. More added all the time.

• Has a common specification language “MDF” that describe a module in a uniform way that can be used by set up software and such.

and more…

Posted in Bluetooth, RS-232, Protocol, RF, Wireless, Open Source, USB, CAN, TCP/IP, Ethernet, ZigBee | 1 Comment »

28. February 2009 by admin.

Was $129.85, now $89.95 at http://www.modtronix.com/index.php?cPath=157_158 Microchip PICDEM 4 (DM163014) demo board for 8, 14 and 18 pin general purpose family of products with power management features

Posted in Power Management, Modtronix, 8-bit, Development Tool | 1 Comment »

27. February 2009 by admin.

From http://matrixmultimedia.com/product.php?Prod=C%20for%20PICs%20and%20Dev%20board%20S/O

This pack consists of an C for PICmicro microcontrollers CD ROM, a development board with cable and power supply, and a spare PIC16F877. This pack is designed for those that want to teach themselves how to program PICmicro microcontrollers using C code. All software and courseware is included on the CD ROM and the development board can be used to both program PICmicro MCU devices and as a development platform for experiments and tutorials. Datasheets on each individual item are available separately.

Posted in Matrix Multimedia, C Programming, 8-bit | 1 Comment »

25. February 2009 by admin.

If you are a subscriber to Elektor Magazine, you can save $8.00 off this coool book. If you order by March 16, you can even get free shipping & handling.  

Place your order at http://www.elektor-usa.com/offer .  

To be able to benefit from this offer, subscribers should first register to the Elektor website. This is a quick and simple affair! Click here…

 Here’s the details from this site:

This hands-on book covers a series of exciting and fun projects with PIC microcontrollers. 

For example a silent alarm, a people sensor, a radar, a night buzzer, a VU meter, a RGB fader, a serial network, a poetry box and a sound super-compression. You can build more than 50 projects for your own use. The clear explanations, schematics, and pictures of each project on a breadboard make this a fun activity.

You can also use this book as a study guide. The technical background information in each project explains why the project is set up the way it is, including the use of datasheets. This way you’ll learn a lot about the project and the microcontroller being used, and you can expand the project to suit your own needs…making it ideal for use in schools and colleges.

This book can also be used as a reference guide. The explanation of the JAL programming language and all of  the expansion libraries used is unique and found nowhere else. Using the index, you can easily locate projects that serve as examples for the main commands. But even after you’ve built all the projects it will still be a valuable reference guide to keep next to your PC.

Four microcontrollers are discussed, the 12f675, 16f628, 16f876A, and 16f877, as well as how to migrate programs from one microcontroller to another.

All software used in this book can be downloaded for free, including all of the source code, a program editor, and the JAL open source programming language. This powerful and yet easy to learn language is used by hobbyists and professionals worldwide.

A hardware kit is also available for purchase separately that contains all the parts to get you started, including a few microcontrollers. There is even a free support website with additional information, FAQ, and links:www.elektor.com/picbert.

Posted in Elektor Magazine, Free Shipping, Source Code, 8-bit, Books, Limited-time Offer | 1 Comment »

25. February 2009 by admin.

Eagle Air

25. February 2009 by admin.

Just complete this survey from CCS.

Posted in Survey, CCS, Limited-time Offer | 1 Comment »

23. February 2009 by admin.

From http://www.matrixmultimedia.com/product.php?Prod=Flowcode%20and%20PICmicro%20MCU%20development%20board%20S/O&PHPSESSID=

This pack consists of Flowcode 3, a PICMicro microcontroller development board with USB cable and power supply and a spare PIC16F877A chip. This pack is designed for those who want to develop electronic and robotic projects based on PICmicro microcontrollers. This software allows you to quickly develop sophisticated electronic systems based on flow charts. The V3 development board (with USB connection) can be used to both program PICmicro MCU devices and as a development platform for experiments and tutorials. The retail price of this pack is at a significant discount to the sum of the individual parts. Datasheets of each item are available separately.

£143.00

Posted in Robotics, Matrix Multimedia, 8-bit, PIC | 1 Comment »

23. February 2009 by admin.

Download a compiler for high level language for Microchip PIC microcontrollers at http://sourceforge.net/projects/jal/

Posted in JAL, Source Code, SourceForge, Complier, PIC | No Comments »

23. February 2009 by admin.

Assembly for PICmicro microcontrollers V2.0 (previously known as PICtutor) contains a complete course in programming the PICmicro microcontroller from Arizona Microchip. It starts with fundamental concepts and extends up to complex programs including watchdog timers, interrupts and sleep modes. The CD makes use of the latest simulation techniques which provide a superb tool for learning: the Virtual PICmicro microcontroller. This is a simulation tool that allows users to write and execute assembly code for the PIC16F84 microcontroller on-screen. Using this students can actually see what happens inside the PICmicro microcontroller as each instruction is executed. This enhances understanding and retains student interest.

Lowest New Price: USD $89.95

Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product.

Features:

• Includes: Comprehensive instruction through 39 tutorial sections
• Includes: Virtual PICmicro microcontroller; a fully functioning simulator
• Includes: Tests, exercises and projects covering a wide range of PICmicro applications
• Includes: MPLAB assembler

Posted in Simulator, Assembly, Matrix Multimedia, 8-bit | 1 Comment »

22. February 2009 by admin.

The source code from Alan’s Project List is for the Hard Drive Clock project. By downloading this code you will be able to modify the program for this project and program your own PIC chip. There is no cost for this item! Add it to your cart and checkout, when asked to select a shipping option select the free “Software Order (Email Delivery)” option. The file will then be emailed to you shortly after that (usually in less than 24 hours).

The project information can be found here: Hard Drive Clock

This software is being offered free of charge for personal use only, you are not allowed to use it for profit.

Posted in Source Code, PIC | No Comments »