Firmware engineers and PIC.... learning.

it's about getting your micro controller to read inputs and waggle outputs to perform whatever task is required of it.

E.G Chemical Dosing pump.
Inputs
2 external inputs via opto isolators
1 Analogue input read by an Ato D converter implemented on th Microcontroller (reading conductivity)
3 Push button input on the front panel

Outputs
16 character 1 line LCD display.
3Pump outputs 12v DC switched by FETs

Del

A PIC is OK to start. But the money is in C, C++, and some higher level languages.

The PICs are marvelously fast little things that are cheap and have lots of uses. They are not a bad tool have in in your belt. But you need a more complex CPU and set of developing tools. If your tight for money www.newmicros.com has a $29 dollar ARM board capable of doing almost any thing you can dream up. I comes with instructions for using the gnu gcc compiler and a free FORTH compiler as well a demo of Keil C. Check what it cost before you spend time with it. gnu gcc and FORTH are free. While FORTH looks good on a resume there aren't many jobs for it. The experience you get with gnu gcc is portable to almost every computer including windows, Macintosh, Unix, 8051, 68HC11, 12, 16, etc.

As to what a firmware engineer does is to write the code that controls hardware and software both. The more you know about electronics and programming the easier it is to get ahead. Of course problem solving skills come first.

I often found I was using C as a scaffold for assembly language.

You also need to realize that being one of the last people in the development chain every time the program slips they look to you to try to catch up.

Good luck

Gordon

hi Gordon

i have programmed PIC and also ATMEL 8051 using assembly but i faced a lot of problems and get tired. I know programming with C language with a little level. my Question is. is there a certain library which is used to programe micro controllers and how can i start? if you know a good way to start programming uc with C language please tell me. it will be of great help.

thank you

Best Regards

asecawy

Firmware vs Software.

Microcode resides in the CPU and determine the behaviour and capabilities.

Software resides on a mass storage device and is loaded into volatile memory (RAM) when required.

Firmware resides on non volatile memory (ROM, EPROM etc) and can be executed directly from there. The BIOS ROM on a PC is a good example.

It is called firmware because it stands firm against cycling the power switch.

Because ROM is notably slower than RAM the idea of shadow RAM was developed. That is the firmware is changed to software.

The program on a PIC is loaded as firmware.

We don't know where you are from so suggesting good training would be useless.

a

Hi Hendrik,

Thanks for your enlightening inputs.

I am from malaysia, and in here the training for such pic or c language for hardware control are not that easily available. While some colleges may teach as part of their syllabus of the course, it is almost absent for working adults.

But anyway, i am very determined to go for it..either pic or c language as suggested..

Maybe for a start, can anyone recommend me any website for learning. for beginners for pic or c language for controlling hardware.

thanks

good morning,

moomoo please try this link http://www.vectorsite.net/tscpp.html

good luck

Hi Asecawny

Its looks like a good site alright. But how do i go about to practice and learn this language. Do i need a software to install to practice? I want to able learn and also able to practice the c language..

Please be informed also that i got no prior programming knowledge. Only language i learnt long time ago was basica, but at a very very basic level.

thanks

Hi

The manufacturers of PIC's have good handbooks and software available. Try them at www.microchip.com

Thanks Hendrik,

Quite a useful sight to learn the language.

thanks