PIC in Practice: A Project-based Approach
PIC in Practice is a graded course based around the practical use of the PIC microcontroller through project work. Principles are introduced gradually, through hands-on experience, enabling students to develop their understanding at their own pace.
Dave Smith has based the book on his popular short courses on the PIC for professionals, students and teachers at Manchester Metropolitan University. The result is a graded text, formulated around practical exercises, which truly guides the reader from square one.
The book can be used at a variety of levels and the carefully graded projects make it ideal for colleges, schools and universities. Newcomers to the PIC will find it a painless introduction, whilst electronics hobbyists will enjoy the practical nature of this first course in microcontrollers.
PIC in Practice introduces applications using the popular 16F84 device as well as the 16F627, 16F877, 12C508, 12C629 and 12C675. In this new edition excellent coverage is given to the 16F818, with additional information on writing and documenting software.
- Gentle introduction to using PICs for electronic applications
- Principles and programming introduced through graded projects
- Thoroughly up-to-date with new chapters on the 16F818 and writing and documenting programs
Why Read This Book
You will learn PIC microcontroller fundamentals through step-by-step, graded projects that take you from simple LED circuits to meaningful embedded systems. The book emphasizes hands-on firmware and hardware practice, so you build practical skills (breadboarding, peripheral interfacing, debugging) rather than just theory.
Who Will Benefit
Ideal for students, hobbyists, and early-career embedded engineers who want a project-driven introduction to PIC microcontrollers and practical firmware development.
Level: Beginner — Prerequisites: Basic high-school math and introductory electronics (Ohm's law, resistors, capacitors) and a willingness to learn simple programming concepts; no prior PIC experience required.
Key Takeaways
- Build and program basic PIC projects using assembly and/or C to control LEDs, switches, displays, and motors
- Interface and read common peripherals (ADC, timers, PWM, UART, I2C, SPI) and sensors
- Design and prototype simple circuits on breadboards and translate them to reliable PCB-ready schematics
- Use common PIC development tools and techniques for programming and debugging (MPLAB, PIC programmers/debuggers)
- Debug firmware problems using logic-level testing, serial output and step-through debugging
- Apply good embedded practice: power/timing considerations, input conditioning, and project documentation
Topics Covered
- 1. Introduction to the PIC and Project-based Learning
- 2. Development Tools, Breadboarding and Safe Practice
- 3. PIC Architecture and I/O Basics
- 4. Assembly Language Essentials for PIC
- 5. Introductory C for PIC (practical examples)
- 6. Digital I/O Projects: LEDs, Switches and Debouncing
- 7. Timers, Delays and Real-Time Control
- 8. Interrupts and Event-driven Programming
- 9. Analog Inputs: ADC, Sensors and Signal Conditioning
- 10. Communication: UART, SPI and I2C Interfacing
- 11. Displays and Human Interfaces (LCD, Keypad, LEDs)
- 12. Motor Drivers and Actuator Control (PWM)
- 13. Prototyping, PCB Considerations and Power Management
- 14. Debugging Techniques, Testing and Project Case Studies
- 15. Graded Projects: From Simple Toys to Integrated Systems
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
Compared with Mazidi's PIC texts (comprehensive reference) and Predko's practical guides, this book is more explicitly project- and course-oriented, with graded exercises aimed at teaching by doing.
