Implementing a PIC16F877A onto a circuit board

[Rando]

Hi,
I am currently using the PIC16F877A with the CCS Software Prototyping Board in one of my classes. I would like to use the PIC without the board but I am confused to which pins have to be wired.

I am using the following pins: RA0 to read in a swtich
RA1 to read in a sensor ouput
C1 digital ouput to an h-bridge
C2 digital output to an h-bridge

I was wondering do both of the VDD and Vss pins have to be wired, and I don't plan on having a reset option....do I still need to wire the MCLR pin?

Also the datasheet lists a maximum current into the VDD pin....I was wondering what is the minimum current that can go into the VDD pin.
Thanks
Randy

[Mark]

Yes and Yes. The minimum current depends on many factors, speed, driving current, preipherals, ect...

[Rando]

Thanks for the reply Mark... Just to get this straight I'd need the 2 VDD pins, the 2 Vss pins, the 2 input pins, the 2 output pins and the MCLR pin.
Also to wire the MCLR pin just follow the recommended MCLR circuit in the datasheet? ( p.148 figure 14-5).

This might also seem like a dumb question but as I said I've only used the chip on the protoboard........ do u need an external Socketed Oscillator?...or is that only needed if you have a timer in your program.

Thanks,
Randy

[jecottrell]

[Rando]

Thank you for the quick response. I will give that a try

[jma_1]

Greetings,

If you do not want to use an external oscillator, pick a different microprocessor. Some of the 18 series chips can run with the internal oscillator as the clock source.

Cheers,
JMA

[Rando]

Thanks I will keep that in mind for the future. However, the school supplies the PIC16F877A and I'm just getting used to it ....so I do not think I will change the PIC.
Randy