Microcontroller start learning

Thread Starter

Moelsayed

Joined Dec 12, 2017
16
Hi all,
Please I want to know what is difference between microcontroll ,ARM, arduino and embedded system.

I am really confused I don’t have any experience on this field and I want to start getting in.

I have a good knowledge in c language and I want to start learning Microcontroller what is the most efficient way to do that.

Thanks in advance
Elsayed
 

Parth786

Joined Jun 19, 2017
642
Embedded system is combination of hardware and software that perform the specific task

Microcontroller is programmable IC that is used to perform some dedicated task. Now a days Microcontrollers are used in every electronics device such as mobile phones, washing machines security Alarm, electronics measuring Instrument etc.

There are the many vender's who makes microcontrollers such as Atmel , Microchip , Cypress etc. Different types of Micro-controller available in market such as 8051 PIC ARM etc

For further details look following links

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Embedded_Systems/ARM_Microprocessors

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Embedded_Systems/PIC_Programming

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/A_Beginner's_Arduino_Guide
 
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Thread Starter

Moelsayed

Joined Dec 12, 2017
16
Can you tell what you want to do. Do you want to make a project on embedded system or are you asking for college studies?

If you can tell about your background, then it can be easy to give advice to you.
Hi parth,

I want to learn micro controller and I don’t have any information about this system

I have a good experience in C language , PLC system.

So what should I know to learn microcontroller in short time if possible.

Thanks in advance
Elsayed
 

Parth786

Joined Jun 19, 2017
642
So what should I know to learn microcontroller in short time if possible.
Do you have any development board if not, then buy a one development board. There are so many available in market based on controller (8051 PIC ARM etc).

Select any one either 8051 based or PIC based. Don't buy ARM based board because of its complex architecture. When you feel that you have worked 8051 or PIC then you can work on ARM.

Do your first project : LED blinking

There are three parts of your project.
  • Hardware
  • Programming
  • burn program
Hardware : Almost every board has led connected with Micro-controller. If you do not have a led on your board, then you can connect led with a resistor to micro-controller. Now the hardware part of your project is completed

Programming : Now you need to program a micro-controller so you have to write program so you will need compiler. Make sure
whether your compiler supports your micro-controller or not, then write embedded program in any language I use embedded c programming and after that save and compile your program. this will generate hex file. Now programming part of your project is completed.

Burn program: Now connect the your board to the computer with the help of suitable cable and open programmer software and follow some instruction and burn your code into micro controller.

Another method : if you don't have money then you can test your project on simulator like Proteus. You can connect your component on simulator and you can simulate your project on simulator
like this type

upload_2017-12-15_1-13-33.png

Note : As possible buy development board

.
 
Last edited:

Thread Starter

Moelsayed

Joined Dec 12, 2017
16
Do you have any development board if not, then buy a one development board. There are so many available in market based on controller (8051 PIC ARM etc).

Select any one either 8051 based or PIC based. Don't buy ARM based board because of its complex architecture. When you feel that you have worked 8051 or PIC then you can work on ARM.

Do your first project : LED blinking

There are three parts of embedded project.
  • Hardware
  • Programming
  • burn program
Hardware : Almost every board has led connected with Micro-controller. If you do not have a led on your board, then you can connect led with a resistor to micro-controller. Now the hardware part of your project is completed

Programming : Now you need to program a micro-controller so you have to write program so you will need compiler. Make sure
whether your compiler supports your micro-controller or not, then write embedded program in any language I use embedded c programming and after that save and compile your program. this will generate hex file. Now programming part of your project is completed.

Burn program: Now connect the your board to the computer with the help of suitable cable and open programmer software and follow some instruction and burn your code into micro controller.

Another method : if you don't have money then you can test your project on simulator like Proteus. You can connect your component on simulator and you can simulate your project on simulator
like this type

View attachment 141651

Note : As possible buy development board

.
Thank you for your specific information really you make my track very clear.

please could you let me know:
1- what is software which i will need it ?
2- how can i program the micro-controller?
3- how can i build a simple circuit ?

I know all of the previous questions are very basic but i need your guide to avoid wasting time.

thanks and really appreciated.
Elsayed
 

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
30,658
For the Pic there is free Picmicro MPLABX for programming and debugging a program.
The manual explains by using an example of programming and tracing.
The Nigel Goodwin Tutorial shows how to build simple circuits using Vero (strip) board.
If you want schematic/PCB design software, there is free Kicad.
Max.
 

Parth786

Joined Jun 19, 2017
642
I know all of the previous questions are very basic but i need your guide to avoid wasting time.
I will help you as I can but let me know few thing about you

What is your educational background? Are you studying in college?

Which one controller you want to learn 8051 or PIC ?
 

Thread Starter

Moelsayed

Joined Dec 12, 2017
16
I will help you as I can but let me know few thing about you

What is your educational background? Are you studying in college?

Which one controller you want to learn 8051 or PIC ?
I've graduated from electrical engineering college and i am working in automation field but PLC system + programming by C language . and i want to learn PIC microcontroller.

Thank you very much for your time and for helping me

Elsayed
 
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