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Educational slide introducing the use of hardware timers in the PIC16F877A microcontroller. The left side features a stopwatch icon and the question “Alarm, Timers, how does it work?”, while the right side shows the microcontroller and MPLAB X IDE logo. The image sets the stage for learning about Timer0, Timer1, and Timer2 functionality.
PIC Microcontrollers Timers
In this tutorial, we will learn what are "Timers"; we will explain this with examples using the Microcontroller PIC16F877A. For this tutorial is may be...
Featured image of how to use interrupts in the PIC16F877A
How to use interrupts in microcontrollers
In this tutorial we will learn how to use external interrupts in PIC microcontrollers. We will go in depth on how to set it up...
Educational graphic showing how to interface 4x3 matrix keypads with a PIC16F877A microcontroller. The image includes two physical keypads, a schematic layout of the 4x3 keypad connections, the PIC16F877A chip, and the MPLAB X IDE logo. Text reads "Interfacing PIC16F877A with 4x3 keypads."
Interfacing 4×3 keypads with PIC16F877A
In this tutorial, we will provide an overview of the 4x3 membrane keypad. The keypad serves as a reliable and budget-friendly tool for having inputs...
Featured image of the PIC16F877A - Transistors and beyond part 3
Control Possibilities with PIC16F877A: Relays, Optos, H Bridges (Part 3 of 3)
Most microcontrollers have limited current sink or current source on their pins, including the PIC16F877A. However, certain projects may require larger currents than the maximum...
Educational graphic showing the interface of a PIC16F877A microcontroller with N-channel MOSFETs. It includes a circuit symbol and cross-sectional diagram of a MOSFET, the microcontroller chip, and MPLAB X IDE logo. The title reads “PIC16F877A and MOSFETs Part 2.”
Interfacing PIC16F877A with MOSFETS (Part 2 of 3)
Most microcontrollers have a limited current sink or current source on the pins, the PIC16F877A is no exception. However, for certain projects you may want...
Educational graphic explaining how to interface the PIC16F877A microcontroller with BJT transistors. It shows the circuit symbols and current equations for both NPN and PNP transistors, alongside the microcontroller and MPLAB X IDE logo. The image is titled “PIC16F877A and BJT transistors Part 1.”
Interfacing PIC16F877A with transistors (Part 1 of 3)
Most microcontrollers have a limited current sink or current source on the pins, the PIC16F877A is no exception. However, for certain projects you may want...

Prerequisits

To make it easier, I assume you have a basic knowledge of the following:

  • Basic circuitry knowledge; such as resistors, transistors, diodes, relays.
  • Basic programming knowledge in C; understand what are functions, operators, data types, and more.
  • Digital electronics, such as logic gates.

On some occasions I will explain it from scratch, but to understand everything, it is best to brush up on the basics so that you can follow the tutorials.

Required Software

For these tutorials we use Microchip’s own software package that includes:

  • MPLAB X IDE
  • XC8 Compiler
  • PICKIT3 programmer/debugger

All the tools can be downloaded at the official website of Microchip Technology

Required Hardware

The full tutorial consists of many different types of electrical components, sensors and actuators. It depends completely on your own project what you need. However, in all cases you will need a Pickit3 tool to install the software and you need at least 1 PIC16F877A microcontroller to install it on.