Microcontrollers

Jonathan Cruz López

A01241546

Act1: Introduction to microcontrollers and tools

Sequential Lights
Introduction
For the initial activity, it is required to design, program and integrate a small circuit
of sequential lights. Using the PIC16F84A microcontroller according to the desired
deliverable, a circuit must be programmed in a way that a series of lights must turn
on in a sequential manner while being capable to create a code, a schematic, and
apply it to an efficient electronic circuit. As we know, microcontrollers are a series
of tools that help control a list of elements put together to deliver for its proposed
job. It becomes useful to know that problems like this are solved and applied to real
life projects in examples like tail lights in modern cars and Christmas lights used for
decoration. With the use of cheap electronic components and the help of a
microcontroller, it becomes easy to understand how things like these work and the
amount of time and knowledge it takes to perform this task.

Code
To begin programming the microcontroller, it is necessary to understand how the
microcontroller works in order to program it correctly according to what it can and
can’t do. Knowing the purpose of the pins in the microcontroller will define
completely the code and inherently, the electric design of the circuit.
Circuit simulation and integration
As any engineering project should begin, a simulation of the circuit was performed
to outline the components necessary to fulfill the task demanded. On top of this, a
valuable insight of the mistakes present in the circuit can be corrected without the
need to replace them with an additional unaccounted cost as it would be in
practical terms. As the code was developed, the most important tool for the
realization of the project as it is the datasheet, had to be revised. A thorough
revision of the datasheet is necessary for the complete comprehension of the
microcontroller and the functions of the pins and itself has as mentioned
previously. Once the tool and the way it works is understood, then the resolution
becomes easier also identifying the circuit flaws and aligning them for a correction
and prevention.
PIC16F84A Datasheet Pin Diagrams used
Circuit Simulation in Proteus software

Circuit Components:

 4Mhz Crystal Quartz oscillator

 330 ohms Resistance x8
 22 pF capacitors x2
 LEDs x8
 PIC16F84A
 5V Power supply

Integrated circuit (without power supply)

Video
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UHyi5iO-IB8DNF3nf8XQkOQB7ky3K8f-
/view?usp=sharing

Conclusion
It is clear that the use of microcontrollers implies a higher level of integration in the
programming side and electronic components due to the fact that both of these
must work together appropriately for the resolution of problems. It is also
necessary to have a background in the realization of codes in C and the principles
of electronic circuits and electronic components must be taken into account. Aside
from the known ground rules in the realm of microcontrollers, it becomes evident
on how the many applications of task automation with the help of these tools can
make life “easier” by solving complex problems that we see daily. The application
of this single issue can range from simple homemade situations to industrial
professional applications which is one the most useful and satisfying conclusion
thoughts.

References
https://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/devicedoc/35007b.pdf