Format: A4, 212 pages. This easy to understand manual is both a useful learning tool and a good reference manual to keep handy on your workbench. Starting out with the basics of microcontroller programming, it proceeds to cover intermediate and advanced topics of  Atmel's AVR Microcontroller family. The programming aspect of the book focuses on the widely popular Bascom-AVR compiler, which is a very user-friendly Basic compiler/IDE developed in the Netherlands. Throughout the book, practical projects are included, at various levels of complexity, to match the subjects in the various chapters.

Inputs & Outputs

In microcontroller applications push buttons are used in most cases. How to use them without unwanted contact «bounce« (what is debouncing anyway?), how we can intelligently increase the number of I/O pins of a microcontroller, driving DC motors and becoming familiar with PWM, are topics of this chapter. Get your hands on an AVR microcontroller with help from Bascom-AVR and start controlling the world around you!

Data Displays

Data displays are very important in the world of  microcontrollers. With modern graphic LCD displays, one can design smart-looking products. But in some cases the »classic« 2x16 alphanumeric LCD or even 7 segment LED display is better-suited. If you have a limited number of  I/O pins on your microcontroller, you might even want to connect your LCD via an SPI interface. All this is covered in this chapter. Pick the right display and make sure that your product will stand out!

Data Measurements

Human beings live in an analogue world and  feel comfortable there. But this is not so for microcontrollers, which live in a digital world. After successfully measuring data, we have to transform it into digital values. We can do this in many ways, by using smart sensors (and smart programming) to get temperature, air pressure or even a GPS location – all with AVRs. Get familiar with data measurements using Bascom-AVR!

Development tools

Having programmed microcontrollers for many years, we have become regular users of development boards. There are many available on the market. Some expensive ones attempt to achieve universality by handling many different MCU models and including many different peripherals on-board. Others are nothing more than a »break-out« board for a specific MCU device.
In contrast, we have designed optimal development boards, that will meet most of your requirements while writing/testing your AVR programs. These boards emerged from extensive usage in our daily work, so there are very good reasons why our tools are designed as illustrated in this chapter. Use smart tools when writing your Bascom-AVR programs!

Practical Projects

There should be many practical projects in every book for programmers and this book is no exception. Bascom-AVR, in conjunction with AVR microcontrollers, is a winning combination when designing a simple (but very powerful) I2C analyzer. Other projects, like a Frequency generator, Frequency counter, a simple but accurate clock and a Metal detector are just a few of the projects that can be found in this chapter. AVR microcontrollers are user-friendly, so get to know them better!

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