FFT and LED generator in PIC

I have been doing a lot of thinking, and thanks to this blog, it has been out loud.

The PIC Microcontroller needs an interface to talk to a computer. Using USB has some perks, namely being very convenient, but it requires a lot of overhead. Based on my experience, you need special drivers for the computer, a lot of extra special code on the microcontroller, and it isn't all that reliable anyway. There might be some special configuration that works the best, but it would require some leg work. Trouble is, that leg work could be for nothing, if it keeps changing, and is drastically different for each device. I would like something that is more stable and universal, with out a lot of extra over head.

RS-232 just might be that answer. Most computers already have that capability built in, and I do not need a device driver just to have the computer talk to the PIC. The code size on the PIC is much smaller, and while the way you program a microcontroller might be different for each, they are much more transparent in how it is done.

I have some more research material below. Time to read up!


Open Directory on the PIC

Wikipedia on the PIC has information on hardware and software to program the PIC.

PIC18F4455 data sheet indispensable in information.

ICSP programmers for PIC

Wikipedia on LED has information on types and powering LED.

Wikipedia on LED Power Sources powering LED.

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Electrical Engineer, Minneapolis, Minnesota