Project name:  Pic microcontrollers for the robotics club

Proposed by: David Baird

Date: 2002 Aug 29

Description:  The pic microcontrollers can be used in many control
applications for robotics.  Free, open-source development and programming
software is available for the pics.  I know that development can be
accomplished for free under Linux.  The software can probably also run
on Windows computers.  There is also a lot of commercial support for
the Pic in terms of development software and hardware.

Initial plan:

1. Microcontroller board:

This is a board that, much like the HC12 evaluation board, provides an
on-board oscillator, serial communications, and access to I/O lines and
A/D converters.  These boards also feature a connector for in circuit
serial programming.

Need schematics.

2. Programming device:

The most basic form of this hardware is a circuit that buffers signals
to and from the serial port and the pic.  Software on the computer
does some bit-banging to program the pic.  We should build at least
one of these devices.

A nicer form of this hardware can communicate in English with a user on
a serial terminal an accept commands to reprogram flash, EEPROM, etc. on
the pic.  An even nicer modification can have a built in LCD screen and
CompactFlash card and accept a program saved on the CompactFlash card.
If time allows, it would be nice to build a few of these devices.

Need schematics.

Initial parts list:

1. PIC16F871 with USART and 10bit ADC, Qty 25, $85 (note: these can be
used in many projects since we are asking for 25, the price also goes
from $5.48ea. to $3.40ea. for this quantity)

2. Ceramic resonators for low cost, constant frequency oscillators, 25

3. Capacitors for resonant circuit, 50

4. Dual row header connectors, 80pins x 25

5. Single row header connectors, 6pins x 25

6. Female pins for sliding over header connectors, Qty 200

7. 12"x18" double sided copper clad board, $5, from David Baird (note
that this is less than 1/3 the cost offered by Jameco for 12"x12" board)

8. Jumpers with handles, 25

9. Adjustable oscillators (VXCO?) for finely tuned frequencies, for
instance, so that the Pic can be synchronized with GPS time.

10. Digitally adjustable oscillators for wide frequency range (for creative
power management and other applications on the Pic).

11. Ferric chloride powder for making etching solution

12. Press-n-Peel Blue paper for transferring image to copper board, Qty. 50
sheets, $75

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