Thursday 17 April, 2008  Expand to read article below
Microchip Recommends the PIC16F887 MCUs for all New Designs!
Thinking about using a PIC16F877A? Well you may want to re-think that decision and use the PIC16F887 instead. Microchip recommends that all new designs use the new PIC16F887 in place of the PIC16F877A MCU. CCS has designed new development tools to support the PIC16F887, including a prototyping board and support for the chip in the latest version of the compiler. The PIC16F887 features are almost identical to its cousin the PIC16F877A, with the exception of additional pins that can be used for analog applications on the PIC16F887 and 14 channels of 10-bit(A/D) converter. An Internal Oscillator is also present on the PIC16F887. Users will be able to execute similar PIC16F877A applications on the new PIC16887 prototyping board.
Don't wait...switch now! The PIC16F887 prototyping board can be purchased in development kit format or as board only starting at $40. Check out what we have to offer at www.ccsinfo.com/news8.
| Friday 21 March, 2008 Expand to read article below Get LEDs to Light, Measure Analog Input and External Interrupt...with C What Happens by David Benson!
C What Happens is a series of explanations and examples for those who want to learn to program PIC® microcontrollers using the C programming language. It is assumed that the reader has no knowledge of PIC® microcontrollers or programming, but does have a rudimentary understanding of electronics.
The reader will learn to create programs by making selections from a large variety of built-in functions provided in the CCS C Compiler, writing his/her own functions as needed, and writing executable statements. The reader will "C what happens" by programming a PIC® microcontroller with the newly created code and exercising it using a simple circuit described in the book.
The subject matter is laid out in a logical progression from simple to not-so-simple and is illustrated with lots of examples.
C What Happens teaches the user how to write embedded software by stepping them through easy to follow examples and diagrams. The user will learn how to write a control flow, modular program, how to handle data and much more. The user will also experience basic C structure by leaning how to use a timer overflow as an interrupt or how to use Strings, Arrays and structures in their code.
Learn how to design and create embedded programs by conquering:
- C syntax and data types
- Built in functions
- Pre-processor directions
- I/O pin manipulation by turning I/O on or off, reading imports and writing pins
Get a $10 discount on C What Happens if you already own a compiler or when a compiler is purchased. Regular price $34.95.
www.ccsinfo.com/daveb | Friday 01 February, 2008 Expand to read article below Celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the ICD-U40 with CCS!
In honor of the 5th anniversary of the ICD-U40, we are offering a limited-time edition CLEAR ICD-U40 unit. It is equipped with the same efficient in-circuit serial programming and debug capabilities that customers expect from CCS in a fun clear package. The ICD-U40 provides detailed debugging information at the C level and the stand-alone control software will allow you to quickly program target chips using ICSP™. The choice is clear, there is only one ICD solution for all your PIC® MCU Flash, PIC24 and dsPIC® support, the clear ICD-U40.
Join in the celebration! For a limited time CCS is offering customers that upgrade to an IDE compiler or purchase IDE maintenance before your download rights expire and receive an Anniversary Edition Clear ICD-U40 for only $50.00 (reg. $75.00). When ordering enter discount code: ICDCLEARNEWS
Need more information?
Visit www.ccsinfo.com/clearicd or call (262) 522-6500 ext. 35 | Friday 01 February, 2008 Expand to read article below CCS would like to thank our customers for their patience through the recent website changes intended to streamline and improve the online shopping experience through www.ccsinfo.com. We are looking for customer feedback from those who have recently purchased their compiler software or development tools through our website since January 31, 2008. Please email your comments, suggestions or problems to marketing or speak to us directly by calling 262-522-6500 ext. 64. | Thursday 29 November, 2007 Expand to read article below What Do You Think about the new PIC32 MCUs from Microchip?
In October, Microchip announced the newest member of the PIC® MCU family, the PIC32 microcontroller. This 32-bit PIC® family has a MIPS core AND PIC® MCU peripherals for processor migration and use of development tools. For details on PIC32 MCUs, Click Here.
CCS is looking for feedback on possible future projects or plans to migrate to this chip. Please email comments to marketing or speak to us directly by calling 262-522-6500 ext. 64. | Thursday 29 November, 2007 Expand to read article below Customers who have Microchip MPLAB® ICD2 or MPLAB® REAL ICE™ programmer/debugger can now utilize the CCS IDE debugger for both programming and debugging. Users can develop, program and debug code using a single software platform – (version 4.064 of PCW,PCWH, PCWHD or PCDIDE) and not need to switch between programming interfaces. These Microchip tools integrate seamlessly into the CCS Advanced Debugger, improving efficiency.
The CCS Advanced Debugger features logging options, RAM and peripheral watch windows and several other features that are standard for a high end debugging tool. This powerful tool will work in the same manner with the MPLAB® ICD2 and MPLAB® REAL ICE™ hardware. Once the project is compiled, the user can enable the debugger in the CCS IDE by selecting the name of the programmer/debugger from the "Debug Configure" option on the IDE menu tab and loading the target with the debug code. The debug configure menu can also be used to select a different device for performing debugging.
Compiler Integration:
1. You will need version 4.064 of the IDE based compiler
2. You will also need to download the MPLAB® ICD2 and MPLAB® REAL ICE™ interface module from the CCS Downloads Page. Note: If you do not have MPLAB® already installed, you will need to so by visiting www.microchip.com.
3. The debug environment is built-in to the CCS Advanced Debugger. Once the hardware is connected to your PC, select the programmer/debugger from the "Debug Configure" option on the IDE menu tab.
For additional help or instructions on how to use MPLAB ® ICD2 and MPLAB ® Real Ice ™ with the CCS Compiler, please Click Here to visit the FAQ on this topic.
MPLAB ® ICD2 and MPLAB ® REAL ICE ™ will also continue to be supported by our full line of command line compilers (PCB, PCM, PCH and PCD). | Thursday 29 November, 2007 Expand to read article below CCS has added development kits for the PIC24FJ128GA006 and PIC24HJ128GP306 devices for prototyping the PIC24 families.
The PIC24F and PIC24H are compact prototyping boards that include a potentiometer, a pushbutton, three LEDs, two RS-232 jacks connected to the F2/F3 UART and F4/F5 UART and an ICD connector. These boards run at 3.3V and include 9V battery-operating option.
The PIC24FJ128GA006 chip features CRC module and a real time clock (RTC) for added execution speed and reduction of external components.
The PIC24HJ128GA006 has reduced peripherals that enhance speed and memory by DMA (direct memory access) channels. The PIC24HJ128GA006 chip runs at an impressive 40MIPS allowing for fast execution times.
Development kits include a prototyping board, in-circuit debugger/programmer, breadboard, parts box, exercise book, cables and carrying case . PIC24F and PIC24H Development Kits Now Available at ccsinfo.com. Kit prices start at $135.00.
For more information on the PIC24F and PIC24H Development Kits, contact CCS sales at 262.522.6500 ext 35 or email sales. | Friday 02 November, 2007 Expand to read article below CCS has implemented the ability to use multiple ICD units on the same PC. This allows you program or debug different target devices in separate projects without needing to close out of any files.
How to Do It with PCW:
Need two ICD units and target devices.
To run two PCWs → use the command-line option force_new
c:ProgramFilesPICCpcw → will open the first PCW
c:ProgramFilesPICCpcw+force_new → will open the second PCW
The USB port used by each target device will be visible in the Debug Configure tab within the Advanced Debugger under "port". You can select which ICD the Debugger should talk to using this setting.
How to Use with ICD Control Panels:
Need two ICD units and target devices
Open two ICD control panels by running the executable from your desktop.
At the start-up, the USB port will automatically be assigned for each ICD unit. You can then go the "Configure Port" button the control panel to switch ports.
For additional assistance, please contact Tech Support via email or via telephone at 262-522-6500 x32.
If you need an additional ICD unit, click here. | Thursday 18 October, 2007 Expand to read article below
CCS WIRELESS-EMBER ZIGBEE™ DEVELOPMENT TOOLS FOR |
MICROCHIP-BASED DEVICES STACK VERSION 3.02 RELEASE |
Early this summer Ember Corporation, a ZigBee ™ Alliance member, and CCS, Inc. launched the CCS Development Kit for Wireless applications using Microchip PIC ® microcontrollers. Since its inception, Ember has made several changes and improvements to the Ember ZigBee Pro stack software in the newly released version 3.02. Version 3.02 changes that have been implemented in the CCS kit:
- New API for setting TX power while connected.
- ZigBee Pro software stack has introduced reliable APS messages which include a sequence number and can optionally receive end-to-end acknowledgment, as well as, advanced Security features including end-to-end APS security.
- A many-to-one routine feature has also been introduced in version 3.02, solving the issue of scaling a network of many devices communicating to a single gateway/aggregator.
- A new manufacturing library has been added which includes several functions to test the EM260 radio before shipping.
- The new stack provides an optional Bootloader for the SPI based EM260 chips which can be updated by the host microcontroller running SPI or over the air.
CCS has been working with Ember to incorporate the new and improved API into the CCS Wireless - Ember ZigBee ™ Edition Development Kit so that the latest stack can be utilized! The updated kit with the ZigBee Pro version 3.02 improvements is now available at CCS. Click here to view the CCS Wireless-Ember ZigBee™ development kit.
If you have additional questions please contact sales at (262) 522-6500 ext. 35 or email sales.
If you would like us to send you the updated ZigBee ™ stack, please email support. | Wednesday 03 October, 2007 Expand to read article below If you enjoy developing embedded ethernet applications, then you will find the latest addition to the CCS development tools fascinating. The 3.3V Ethernet Controller Prototyping Board and 3.3V Ethernet Controller Development Kit focus on the PIC18F67J60 chip from Microchip. The PIC18J-series of chips from Microchip offer more memory, an operating voltage of 2.0 to 3.6 volts and are 10Base-T (10 Mbps) compliant. The processor is also capable of running at speeds up to 40Mhz at 3V. The PIC18F67J60 is an SPI controlled 10 Mbit/Sec, full duplex Ethernet transceiver IC.
The 3.3V Ethernet Controller Prototyping Board utilizes one PIC18F7J60 chip with built-in Ethernet capability; allowing for simplified designs, cost and component reduction. The prototyping board also features a durable multi-media SD card reader. The 3.3V Ethernet Controller Prototyping Board is affordably priced at $89 and Development Kits start at $149.
Note: The Embedded Ethernet Prototyping Board is for 5V applications.
The 3.3V Ethernet Controller Prototyping Board includes:
PIC18F67J60 (RAM 3808 Bytes, Flash 128K)
40 Mhz Clock to run at 10 MIPs
Serial EEPROM (32 Kb)
Multi-media SD Card Reader
RS-232 port and RS-232 level converter
One Potentiometer
One Pushbutton
Three LEDs
ICD Jack
All logic 3.3V from an AC Adapter or 9V Battery
I/O Jumper Block with 20 Accessible Pins
10-BaseT Ethernet Jack
The 3.3V Ethernet Controller Development Kit includes Prototyping Board, In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer, carrying case, cables, DC Adapter (9VDC), exercise book and CD of Drivers. The exercise book includes a TCP/IP tutorial and step-by-step instructions to implement embedded Ethernet programs. Example programs include complete web server, email generator and SD card read/write.
For more information please email sales or call us at 262.522.6500 ext. 35. |
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