Programming 32-bit Microcontrollers in C: Exploring the PIC32 (Embedded Technology)

Programming 32-bit Microcontrollers in C: Exploring the PIC32 (Embedded Technology)
| 2008-04-01 00:00:00 | | 0 | Computer Engineering


*Just months after the introduction of the new generation of 32-bit PIC microcontrollers, a Microchip insider and acclaimed author takes you by hand at the exploration of the PIC32

*Free CD-ROM includes source code in C and the Microchip MPLAB C32 compiler

*Includes handy checklists to help readers perform the most common programming and debugging tasks

The new 32-bit microcontrollers bring the promise of more speed and more performance while offering an unprecedented level of compatibility with existing 8 and 16-bit PIC microcontrollers. In sixteen engaging chapters, using a parallel track to his previous title dedicated to 16-bit programming, the author puts all these claims to test while offering a gradual introduction to the development and debugging of embedded control applications in C.
Author Lucio Di Jasio, a PIC and embedded control expert, offers unique insight into the new 32-bit architecture while developing a number of projects of growing complexity.
Experienced PIC users and newcomers to the field alike will benefit from the text's many thorough examples which demonstrate how to nimbly side-step common obstacles, solve real-world design problems efficiently and optimize code using the new PIC32 features and peripheral set.

You will learn about:
*basic timing and I/O operation
*debugging methods with the MPLAB SIM *simulator and ICD tools
*multitasking using the PIC32 interrupts
*all the new hardware peripherals
*how to control LCD displays
*experimenting with the Explorer16 board and *the PIC32 Starter Kit
*accessing mass-storage media
*generating audio and video signals
*and more!

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Day 1 And the adventure begins
Day 2 Walking in circles
Day 3 Message in a Bottle
Day 4 NUMB3RS
Day 5 Interrupts
Day 6 Memory
Part 2 Experimenting
Day 7 Running
Day 8 Communication
Day 9 Links
Day 10 Glass = Bliss
Day 11 It's an analog world
Part 3 Expansion
Day 12 Capturing User Inputs
Day 13 UTube
Day 14 Mass Storage
Day 15 File I/O
Day 16 Musica Maestro!

*32-bit microcontrollers are becoming the technology of choice for high performance embedded control applications including portable media players, cell phones, and GPS receivers.
*Learn to use the C programming language for advanced embedded control designs and/or learn to migrate your applications from previous 8 and 16-bit architectures.
*All code examples and software tools required to get acquainted with Microchip's MPLAB development environment, and to complete all the projects described in the book, are offered in the attached CDROM including the MPLAB C32 C Compiler (free Student Edition) and the full source code for more than 15 entertaining projects.

User review
A Good Book For Those New To The PIC32/MIPS
A Good Book For Those New To The PIC32/MIPS


Lucio Di Jasio, Senior Applications Engineer, follows on his book, Programming 16-Bit PIC Microcontrollers in C: Learning to Fly the PIC 24 (Embedded Technology), with a similar look yet specific to the PIC32/MIPS 32-bit architecture. The style of this book departs from the previous in that the aeronautical theme `flying` has been nearly removed (there is still a debriefing section at the end of each chapter or `Day` as well as `checklists`). Other than those differences, the books are very much the same. So, if you enjoyed Lucio's first book, you will also enjoy this book. The `Tips & Tricks`, `Notes for the C Experts`, `Notes for the MIPS Experts` and `Notes for 8/16-bit PIC Microcontroller Experts` are similar to the previous book and are very useful.


That said, this book will not teach you the MIPS architecture, but will teach you the PIC32 with mention of how the PIC32 designers adapted prior PIC innovations to the PIC architecture. To learn MIPS (Specifically, the MIPS 4K core) as well as the PIC32, you should also consider the book See MIPS Run, Second Edition (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Computer Architecture and Design) and, to a lessor extent MIPS Assembly Language Programming (for the hard core assembly enthusiasts). If your goal is simply to learn the PIC32, this book will get you started.


There are many interesting basic projects in the book including those dealing with the usual; interrupts, LCD, RS232, etc. The project (`Day 6: Memory`) is of particular note as the MIPS memory architecture is unlike the classic PIC architecture (it is not a Harvard architecture). Nearly all aspects of the PIC32 are covered including the PMP, A/D converter, and timers/comparators. The final `Days` of the book include projects on File IO, Mass Storage, PWM playback of WAV files and even a simply video generation project.


The book is slightly out of date due to updates in the C32 compiler (clearly the author cannot be held accountable for such changes), and a few missing mentions of defines required for some projects, and there are some rough spots where you really need to pay attention to the entire book to get a project to run (specifically the chapter or `Day 10: Glass = Bliss`). The project is well worth learning, but I found that in order to make sense of the code presented I needed to refer to the author's code (I generally like to type code and debug it as I go - your mileage may vary). The required files were a bit confusing. There are a few errors in the book, none that are serious, however, they is no mention on the errata page. Perhaps this is not an issue though as it does make you learn more about the PIC32 since you must refer to the data sheet and compiler include files to remedy the errors.


So, to summarize, I'd recommend this book in an instant to the individual that wants a guided tour of the new PIC32, does not want to begin by reading the data sheet (you should definitely read the data sheet at some point including the PIC32 Family reference manual) and wants to have some fun learning along the way. If you are a hard core PIC programmer to start with, you may get some use of the book specifically when it comes to the MIPS specific material but I suspect you will know by simply reading the contents.



User review
Nothing like it, but it sometimes isn't quite clear
A good book, nothing else out there like it on programming PIC32 in C.


You should come to this with some experience in C, but it isn't absolutely necessary. I'm learning to program in C at the same time I'm going through this book.


I'd give this five stars except it is sometimes lacking in explanations of new concepts. I'd give it 4.5 stars if that were possible.


The chapter sample code on the CD isn't well commented. On the other hand, if you copy the chapter sample code to your hard drive to use it, you can comment it yourself as you learn.

User review
Very nice resource
I just finished reading through this book and found it to be an excellent learning guide. I've never played with microcontrollers before and wanted a book that would help me learn the basics and understand both practical and theoretical issues in working with them. While the book is written around a specific microcontroller, I felt like it did a great job of presenting the material in a sufficiently general fashion that you could easily apply the principles to devices from other families or even manufacturers. I also think that using a book that was focused on a specific device was helpful, because it can then show you exactly how to do things while you're first learning rather than having to use overly general descriptions that might leave you wondering how you apply the concepts in real life.


There are some typos here and there, but nothing that was terribly confusing. My only real complaint is that sometimes variables or constants used in the author's code snippets are not defined or described in the text or code comments and it can be a little cryptic trying to figure out what he's doing with them (he's a big fan of highly abbreviated variable names). Fortunately, I felt like the underlying concepts were explained well enough that I could still understand what was going on at a high level even if was difficult to figure out some of the specifics of his code. This mostly happened in the later chapters where he deliberately passes over some of the nitty gritty details in order to focus on how to effectively use some of the more advanced microcontroller features. I thought the presentation was very effective in that regard.


Overall, an excellent read from a raw beginner's standpoint.

User review
Excellent, a must buy for anyone interested in the PIC32
This is an excellent companion to the PIC32 processor, the topics and software provided are perfect. Like his previous book on the PIC24, Di Jasio identified the key elements of the PIC32 and its peripherals and helps the reader through using them in practical, easy to understand terms that often build on previously learned information. If you are used to Microchip 8 bit processors, this is your book to step up to 32 bits, if you have experience with the 16 bit PIC24s, the PIC32 will feel very familiar.


It is a must buy for anyone who plans to use the PIC32 or the least bit curious about its capabilities.



User review
Outstanding book on the PIC32
If you want to learn the PIC32, the is THE book to get.


For anyone familiar with any of the PIC line: PIC16, PIC18, PIC24 or dsPIC, this book makes learning the PIC32 a snap. After reading the book I was able to port an entire suite of my PIC24 apps over to the PIC32 in a matter of hours. This book makes moving from any of the other PICs to the PIC32 easy and straightforward. It does a great job of walking

through the architecture, showing what the differences are, and how to use the new capabilities.


For those new to the PIC architecture, this book does a very good job

of describing the PIC32 microcontroller and how to program it. The examples used are interesting and well paced, and cover nearly every major feature of the PIC32.


I almost never give out five star ratings to anything, but I gave this one five stars because it is worth it.


Key thing to keep in mind if you do purchase the book, is that it expects you to already know the C programming language. No wasted space on trying to spoon feed C to newbies. So if you are new to C or have only used assembler in the past, it's time to get serious and learn C - download any of the free C compiler's from Microchip's Dev Tools web site, and

then sit down and get ready to program a screaming fast machine.