The theme of electronic design is becoming more popular. We bring to your attention an article that will tell you what is the programming of microcontrollers for beginners.
What microcontrollers exist?
First of all, it is necessary to describe the situation with microcontrollers. The fact is that they are produced not just by one company, but several at once, that's why there are quite a few different microcontrollers that have different parameters, different features when using and various features. They differ in the speed of performance, additional interfaces and the number of pins. The most popular in the entire space of the former USSR are representatives of the RIS and AVR. Programming AVR and RIC microcontrollers is not difficult, which ensured their popularity.
How are microcontrollers programmed?
Programming of microcontrollers is carried out, as a rule, with the help of special devices called programmers. Programmers can be either purchased or self-made. But with the firmware of the microcontroller with the help of a self-made programmer, the chance that it will turn into a "brick" is quite high. There is another option that can be considered on the example of the Arduino board. The board works on the Atmel MC, and it runs the programming of AVR microcontrollers. The board already has a pre-flashed bootloader and a USB port that allow you to safely flash the used microcontroller without giving the user access to the data that this MC can inactivate. Programming microcontrollers for beginners is not as difficult as it may seem, and with a certain skill and ingenuity will save you from having to go for a new mechanism.
Hardware differences of different microcontrollers
When choosing microcontrollers, you should pay attention to some hardware differences of not even different companies, but in one model line. First, you should pay attention to the possibility of rewriting information on the microcontroller. This function will allow you to experiment for a long time with one MC. Also pay attention to the number of pins with their intended purpose. Do not deprive yourself of the attention and the frequency of the crystal on which the circuit operates: it determines the number of operations per second that a microcontroller can perform. When you look at these characteristics, as well as the memory of the MC, it may first seem that you can not do anything sensible on microcontrollers, but this is an erroneous opinion. Remember that programming microcontrollers for beginners does not require the best technique at first, but you can also take something more powerful.
Programming languages for microcontrollers
As programming languages for microcontrollers, two are used: C / C ++ and assembler. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages. So, if we talk about assembler, then it makes it possible to do everything very finely and qualitatively, especially when there is not enough RAM or operational capacity (which, incidentally, rarely happens). But his study and writing programs on it requires quite a lot of effort, punctuality and time. Therefore, for development on the basis of microcontrollers, programming languages C and C ++ are often used. They are more understandable, in their kind and structure they are close to human speech, although they do not represent it in the full sense. They also have a very well-developed functional that can easily interact with the hardware, imagining that this is just an element of the program. With all its obvious advantages, C and C ++ create more extensive programs than assembler.
Also in some cases, when the operational space used is critical, you can connect these languages. Almost all development environments for C and C ++ have the ability to install assembler inserts into the program. Therefore, in the case of a problem on a critical area, you can write an assembler insert and integrate it into the firmware for the microcontroller, and write the firmware itself, more precisely, most of it, write in C or C ++. The programming of microcontrollers to SI is easier, so many choose these languages. But those who are not afraid of difficulties and want to understand the peculiarities of the operation of the equipment can try their hand at assembler as well.
Parting words
If there is a desire to experiment with microcontrollers, this is fine. You can only advise you to be patient and persevering, and then any goals set for the inventor will be feasible. The programming of microcontrollers for beginners and for experienced people looks different: it's difficult for beginners, then for experienced ones it's routine. The main thing is to remember that everything that does not contradict the laws of physics is feasible and solvable.