Microcontroller Based Applied Digital Control

5

Microcontroller Project Development

5.1 HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

The development of a microcontroller based project requires hardware and software products. Hardware requirements generally depend on how complex the project is, but the following hardware products are normally required in almost all types of projects:

• microcontroller programmer;
• microcontroller development board or breadboard with the required components;
• microcontroller chips;
• PC;
• test equipment such as a voltmeter, logic pulser or oscilloscope.

Figure 5.1 shows the basic hardware requirements. A microcontroller programmer is connected to a PC and is used to download the user program to the target microcontroller program memory. For flash type program memories no additional hardware is normally required. The development of systems based on EPROM type program memories requires an EPROM eraser device so that the microcontroller program memory can be erased and reprogrammed.

Small projects incorporating simple LEDs and buzzers can be developed using microcontroller development boards. These boards usually have built-in LEDs, switches, buzzers, etc. so that the user can test programs with simple to moderate complexity. Some development boards also incorporate chip programmer hardware so that the target microcontroller can be programmed on the same board. Complex projects can initially be built and tested on a breadboard. If the project is to be used in commercial or in industrial applications, then a printed ...