Hi friends,

I am designing a data acquisition device from 4 sensors. I am thinking of using PIC16F1503 microcontroller from Microchip. I want the microcontroller to have separate pins for sensory data from each sensor. And the microcontroller need to transmit the sensory data to the computer and receive user inputs from the computer.

What kind of interface between the microcontroller and PC should I use for the above purpose?

How should the microcontroller be powered? can it be powered from the computer (such as a USB)?

Thank you

 

I use something like this to do exactly that...This can supply power to the uC...

 

I'd start with googling MAX232 PC interface circuit...

And making a block diagram.

 

You have manages to find a PIC with no internal method of communication with a PC. Typically you could either make an RS-232 or a USB interface. 232 is less software more hardware, USB is more software less hardware. A USB system may be powered off the USB, where 232 cannot.

It is possible to do RS-232 without a serial (EUSART) module, better to restrict to slower bit rate.

And welcome to the forums!

 

There are a number of ways to interface a microcontroller with a PC.

One of the popular ways is via a USB cable.

 

that helps a lot! I am a green hand in the field. How do I search for the corresponding PCB? I mean do you know any PCB that could fit an MC, multiple sensory input, and multiple output? Thanks

 

I'd start with googling MAX232 PC interface circuit...

And making a block diagram.

Thanks, but it seems Max 232 requires power supply from the chip? Is that correct? I kind want to use computer to power the MC

 

I use something like this to do exactly that...This can supply power to the uC...

that helps a lot! I am a green hand in the field. How do I search for the corresponding PCB? I mean do you know any PCB that could fit an MC, multiple sensory input, and multiple output? Thanks

 

Ah, so all you want is a self powered USB development board, something with lots of extra lines to add multiple sensors, and maybe some prototype area to add more circuitry? Anything else, like maybe a bootloader so you don't have to use a programmer you don't (yet) have?

This should get you started:

Mikroelectronica StartUSB Development Board

Available at Mouser

You should be able to get yourself into lots of trouble with this thing.

(Note: There are probably dozens if not hundreds of pretty good to terrible development boards out there. This is just one of them but I'm showing it as it meets many of your needs, even the ones you don't yet know you have. I've used this company before and they make good boards.)

 

The MAX232 was a terrible idea. That's a level converter for +/-12V RS-232, which computers are using decreasingly often. Those little USB-serial converters are a much better option, and they can give you 5V to run your circuit from. Whether you want a PIC processor with built-in USB has to depend on whether you can learn to program such a chip. Otherwise, the converter board is simpler. Don't forget the software on the computer side, either. That can be fairly tricky.

 

...Don't forget the software on the computer side, either. That can be fairly tricky.

Or it can be really easy (same as RS-232 serial), and you are free to choose which method you use.

The PIC side of a USB is very complicated, but most of that gets loaded from libraries you need not study, just know where the top level interface resides. I'd call it a learning bump rather than a curve.