CHAPTER 3

PIC PROGRAMMING IN C
OUTLINE
• Microcontrollers
• Overview of the PIC18 Family
•…
Objectives
• Examine C data types for the PIC18
• Code C18 programs for time delay and I/O operations
• Code C18 programs for I/O bit manipulation
• Code C18 programs for logic and arithmetic operations
• Code C18 programs for data serialization
• Understand C18 compiler RAM and ROM allocation
Why program the PIC18 in C?
• Hex file produced by the compiler will be downloaded into the arom of the
microcontroller.
• The size of hex file is the main concerns of programmers for 2 reasons:
• Microcontrollers have limited on-chip ROM.
• The code space from the PIC18 is limited to 2M.
• Writing programs in C instead of Assembly, because:
• It is easier and less time consuming to write in C than in Assembly.
• C is easier to modify and update.
• You can use code available in function libraries.
• C code is portable to other microcontrollers with little or no modification.
3.1 Data types and Time delays in C
• C data types for the PIC18
• One of the goals of C18 programmers is to create smaller hex files → a good understanding
of C data types for the C18.
• Some Data types widely Used by C18
Data Type Size in Bits Data Range/Usage
Unsigned char 8-bit 0 to 255
Char 8-bit -128 to +127
Unsigned int 16-bit 0 to 65535
Int 16-bit -32768 to +32767
Unsigned short 16-bit 0 to 65535
Short 16-bit -32768 to +32767
Unsigned short long 24-bit 0 to 1677215
Short long 24-bit -8388608 to +8388607
Unsigned long 32-bit 0 to 4294967295
long 32-bit -2147483648 to +2147483647
3.1 Data types and Time delays in C
• C data types for the PIC18
3.1 Data types and Time delays in C
• C data types for the PIC18
• Unsigned char
• An 8-bit data type that takes a value in the range of 0-255 (00-FFH)
• When setting a counter value, we should use the unsigned char instead of the signed char.
• C compilers use the signed char as the default unless we put the keyword unsigned in front of the char.
• Use the unsigned char for a string of ASCII characters.
• Must pay attention to the size of the data in declaring variables and try to use unsigned char instead of int
if possible, because using int can lead to a large-size hex file.
• Example 1: Write a C18 program to send values 00-FF to Port B.
• Example 2: Write a C18 program to send hex values for ASCII character of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, A, B, C and D
to Port B.
• Example 3: Write a C18 program toously. toggle all the bits of Port b continuously.
3.1 Data types and Time delays in C
• C data types for the PIC18
• Signed char
• An 8-bit data type that uses the most significant bit to represent the – or + value, 7 bits for the magnitude
of the signed number from -128 to +127.
• + and – represent a given quanity (temperature) → use the signed char data type
• If we do not use the keyword unsigned, the default is the signed value.
• Example 4: Write a C18 program to send values -4 to +4 to Port B.
3.1 Data types and Time delays in C
• C data types for the PIC18
• Unsigned int
• An 16-bit data type that takes a value in the range of 0-65535 (0000-FFFFH)
• Used to define 16-bit variables such as memory addresses.
• Set counter values of more than 256
• Not use the int data in PIC18 unless we have to.
• C compiler uses signed int as the default unless use keyword unsigned.
• Signed int
• An 16-bit data type that uses the most significant bit to represent the – or + value.
• 15 bits for the magnitude of number or value frone -32768 to +32767.
3.1 Data types and Time delays in C
• C data types for the PIC18
• Other data types
• Values greater than 16-bit.
• The short long value is 24 bits wide.
• The long value is 32 bits wide.
• Example 5: Write a C18 program to toggle all bits of Port B 50000 times.
• Example 6: Write a C18 program to toggle all bits of Port B 100000 times.
3.1 Data types and Time delays in C
• Time delay
• Two ways to create a time relay in C18
• Using a simple FOR loop.
• Using the PIC18 timers.
• Two ways to create a time relay in C18
• Two factors that can affect the accuracy of the time delay using a FOR loop:
• The crystal frequency connected to the OSC1-OSC2 input pins
• The compiler used to compile the C program: each compiler produces different-size hex code.
• Example 7: Write a C18 program to toggle all bits of Port B continuously with a 250 ms
delay. Assume that the system is PIC18F458 with XTAL=10 MHz.
• Example 8: Write a C18 program to toggle all bits of Port C and Port D continuously with a
250 ms .
3.2 I/O programming in C
• Byte size I/O
• Ports PORTA-PORTD are byte accessible.
• We use the PORTA-PORTD labels as defined in the C18 header file.
• Example 9: LEDs are connected to bits in Port B and Port C. Write a C18 program that
shows the count from 0 to FFh (0000 0000 to 1111 1111 in binary) on the LEDs.
• Example 10: Write a C18 program to get a byte of data from Port B, wait ½ second and then
se
• Example 11: Write a C18 program to get a byte of data from Port C. If it is less than 100,
send it to Port B; otherwise, send it to Port D.
3.2 I/O programming in C
• Bit-addressable I/O programming
• The I/O Ports of PIC 18 are bit-addressable.
• PORTxbits.Rxy : access a single bit of Portx
• x: Port A, B, C, D
• y: bit (0-7) of that port
• Ex:PORTBbits.RB7 indicates PORTB.7
• TRISBbits.TRISB7 : indicates the D7 of the TRISB.
3.3 Logic Operations in C
• One of the most important and powerful features of the C language is its ability to
perform bit manipulation.
Bit-wise logic In C Example Result
Operators
Bit-wise AND & 0x35 & 0x0F 0x05
logic OR | 0x04 | 0x68 0x6C
Operators
XOR ^ 0x54 ^ 0x78 0x2C
INVERTER ~ ~ 0x55 0xAA
Bit-wise SHIFT RIGHT >> 0x9A >> 3 0x13
shift SHIFT LEFT << 0x6 << 4 0x60
Operators
3.3 Logic Operations in C
• Example 9: Run the following program on your simulator and examine the result
3.3 Logic Operations in C
• Example 10: Write a C18 program to toggle all the bits of Port B and Port C
continuously with a 250 ms delay. Use the inverting operator.
• Example 11: Write a C18 program to toggle all the bits of Port B, Port C and Port
D continuously with a 250 ms delay. Use the XOR operator.
3.4 Data serialization in C
• Serialing data is a way of sending a byte of data one bit at a time through a single
pin of a microcontroller.
• The serial versions are becoming popular because:
• Not all devices supports connection standard such as I2C and CAN.
• Serial version take less space on a printed circuit board.
• Two ways to transfer a byte of data serially:
• Using the serial port
• To transfer data one bit a time and control the sequence of data and spaces between them.
3.4 Data serialization in C
• Example 12: Write a C18 program to send out the value 44H serially one bit at a
time via RC0. The LSB should go out first.
• Example 13: Write a C18 program to send out the value 44H serially one bit at a
time via RC0. The MSB should go out first.
• Example 14: Write a C18 program to bring in a byte of data serially one bit at a
time via the RB0 pin. Place the byte on the Port D. The LSB should come in first.
• Example 15: Write a C18 program to bring in a byte of data serially one bit at a
time via the RB0 pin. The MSB should come in first.
3.5 Program ROM Allocation in C18
Summary
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Quiz