INDUSTRIAL TRAINING REPORT

LEE YEE ANN BACHELOR IN ENGINEERING (COMPUTER NETWORK ENGINEERING)

SCHOOL OF COMPUTER AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PERLIS 2012

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING REPORT EIT300/4

AT SILICONETICS RESEARCH CORPORATION SDN. BHD. LOT 8032-T1, BANDAR SATELIT ISLAM PASIR TUMBOH, JALAN PASIR PUTEH, 16150 KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN DARUL NAIM

NAME MATRIC NUMBER PROGRAM

: LEE YEE ANN : 101230415 : BACHELOR IN ENGINEERING (COMPUTER NETWORK ENGINEERING)

ACADEMIC SESSION : 2011/2012

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, I would like to thank God for everything He had done for me.

I would also like to thank the company, Siliconetics Research Corporation Sdn. Bhd., for allowing me to undergo Industrial Training at this very company. I would also extend my appreciation to the owner/CEO of the company, Mr. Rokman Bin Semail, and the General Manager, Mr. Mohd. Fikry Bin Mohd. Yusof, that had supervised my progress throughout the duration of the training. Their attentions, helps and support in many ways had made my experience during the Industrial Training more worthwhile. Not to forget the other staffs and trainees of the company, whom through their helpfulness and friendliness, had made the experience gained throughout the duration of Industrial Training unforgettable.

I would also express my gratitude to Associate Professor Dr. Mohammud B. Che Husain from the School of Bioprocess Engineering for his willingness to spend a fraction of his time to pay a visit to the company to observe my progress. Also thanks to Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) and the engineering school I am studying in, the School of Computer and Communication Engineering for the knowledge and experiences gained.

Last but not least, millions of thanks to my family members for their unlimited blessings and support.

Thank you, everyone!

ii

ABSTRACT

Industrial Training is a platform for students to gain hands-on experience about what they had learnt and to apply the knowledge of their respective engineering field into the work environment. Siliconetics Research Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (SRC) is a research and development (R&D) company that operate in the ICT and robotic field. The robotic development in SRC uses the PIC18 microcontroler and C programming language. A trainee that had never utilise the PIC18 microcontroler before was assigned with projects that were aimed for the trainee to learn and familiarise with PIC18 and the use of C language to program the system as the main tasks throughout the Industrial Training in SRC. Secondary tasks that were aimed for the trainee to learn the importance of documenting the projects done and to communicate with end users indirectly through support documents and information available in the websites were also assigned. There were also different miscellaneous tasks assigned to trainees. In overall, by undergoing Industrial Training in SRC is a chance for student to gain knowledge not available during lecture and lab session in UniMAP and to apply knowledge in related field in to the work environment.

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COMPLETION OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ABSTRACT TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES

i ii iii iv vii viii

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Host Company 1.2 Organisation of the Company 1.3 Advantages of the Company 1.4 Products and Services

1 1 2 2 3

CHAPTER 2 PIC18 MICROCONTROLLER PROJECTS 2.1 introduction 2.2 PIC18 Microcontroller and the PIC18F2550 2.3 Common Components and Devices 2.4 Blinking an LED 2.5 More LEDs 2.6 Switches and LEDs 2.7 Switches and LED, Input/Output Control 2.8 Seven-Segment Displays 2.9 Two Seven-segment Displays Multiplexing 2.10 Binary Coded Decimal to Seven-segment Display Decoder/Driver IC iv

6 6 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

2.11 162 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 8-bit Mode 2.12 162 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 4-bit Mode 2.13 161 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 4-bit Mode 2.14 88 LED Matrix Display Interfacing

17 18 19 19

CHAPTER 3 PIC18 PROJECTS' DOCUMENTATION 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Schematic Diagram Drawing 3.3 Documenting PIC18F2550 Projects 3.4 Update Hitkr Website using BizAdmin

22 22 22 24 26

CHAPTER 4 MISCELLANEOUS TASKS 4.1 Introduction 4.2 ThinClient and ThinStation 4.3 Software Disc Packaging 4.4 Electrical Wiring 4.5 Acrylic Prototyping 4.6 Visit by Lecturer from UniMAP

28 28 28 30 30 31 32

CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION 5.1 Discussion 5.2 Recommendation

33 33 34

CHAPTER 6 CONCLUSION 6.1 Conclusion

35 35

REFERENCES

36

APPENDICES Appendix A (i) Appendix A (ii) Appendix B (i) Appendix B (ii) Appendix C Appendix D

37 37 38 39 40 41 43

vi

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1: State of Switches and Light Effect

12

vii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1: The Corporate Logo of Siliconetics Research Corporation Sdn. Bhd. Figure 1.2: Organisation Chart Siliconetics Research Corporation Sdn. Bhd. Figure 1.3: Siliconetics Research Corporation Sdn. Bhd. Figure 1.4: The Logo for Siliconetics Products Figure 1.5: The Logo for Mawarsoft Products Figure 2.1: PIC18F2550 in 28 Pins DIP Form Factor Figure 2.2: Pin Assignment of PIC18F2550 in DIP Form Factor Figure 2.3: Microchip PICkit3 Figure 2.4: Breadboard Figure 2.5: Screenshot of the Splash Screen MPLAB IDE Figure 2.6: Schematic Diagram of Blinking an LED Project Figure 2.7: PICkit3 Connected to Program the PIC18F2550 Figure 2.8: Blinking an LED Project with the LED in On State Figure 2.9: Schematic Diagram of More LEDs Project Figure 2.10: More LEDs Project Showing One of the Light Effects Figure 2.11: Schematic Diagram of Switches and LEDs Project Figure 2.12: Switches and LEDs Project Showing Switches 2, 3, 7 and 8 Active

1 2 3 4 4 7 7 8 8 9 10 10 10 11 11 12 12

Figure 2.13: Schematic Diagram of Switches and LEDs, Input/Output Control Project 13 Figure 2.14: Switches and LEDs, Input/Output Control Project Showing Switch 8 Active Triggering Generation of Knight Rider Light Effect Figure 2.15: Schematic Diagram of Seven-segment Displays Project Figure 2.16: Seven-segment Displays Project Showing Current Count 4 13 14 14

Figure 2.17: Schematic Diagram of Two Seven-segment Displays Multiplexing Project 15 Figure 2.18: Schematic Diagram of Binary Coded Decimal to Seven-segment Display Decoder/Driver IC Project viii 16

Figure 2.19: Binary Coded Decimal to Seven-segment Display Decoder/Driver IC Project Showing 00 When Switches Are 000000002 16

Figure 2.20: Schematic Diagram of 162 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 8-bit Mode Project Figure 2.21: 162 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 8-bit Mode Project 17 17

Figure 2.22: Schematic Diagram of 162 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 4-bit Mode Project Figure 2.23: 162 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 4-bit Mode Project Figure 2.24: 161 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 4-bit Mode Project Figure 2.25: The 5 Characters to be Generated On the 88 LED Matrix Display Figure 2.26: Schematic Diagram of 88 LED Matrix Display Interfacing Project 18 18 19 20 20

Figure 2.27: 88 LED Matrix Display Interfacing Project Showing the Fourth Character 21 Figure 3.1: Screen Shot of KiCad Project Manager Figure 3.2: Screen Shot Eeschema Showing Drawing of 88 LED Matrix Display Interfacing Project's Schematic Diagram Figure 3.3: Screen Shot Eeschema Component Library Editor Showing Drawing for New 88 LED Matrix Display Component Figure 3.4: Screen Shot from the Introductory Chapter of the Documentation Figure 3.5: Screen Shot of the Documentation for Blinking An LED Project Figure 3.6: Screen Shot of Siliconetics BizAdmin for Blinking An LED Project Figure 3.7: Screen Shot while Adding Pictures using Siliconetics BizAdmin for More LEDs Project 27 24 24 25 26 23 22

Figure 4.1: ThinClient X300 System Showing the PCI Card and One of the Terminals 28 Figure 4.2: ThinStation Access Terminal 29

Figure 4.3: Performing Electrical Wiring, Inserting the Cable Puller to Pull the Electrical Cables. Figure 4.4: The End Product of Acrylic Sheet Shaping 31 32

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Host Company Siliconetics Research Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (SRC) was officially registered on 2006. The company is an information and communication technology (ICT) and research and development (R&D) based company. The company is located at Lot 8032T1, Bandar Satelit Islam Pasir Tumboh, Jalan Pasir Puteh, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan . The company can be reach via its website, http://www.srcsb.com.

Figure 1.1: The Corporate Logo of Siliconetics Research Corporation Sdn. Bhd.

The effort to establish the company started back in the 1990's where research and development had been performed to establish a platform to develop software to be used for educational purposes. This research and development process had started the development of current technologies used by the company until today.

In 1996, a predecessor of SRC, a company named Perisian Mawar was registered to develop and market Islamic based software. This company was later rebranded as Mawarsoft, and is currently a part of Siloconetics Research Corporation Sdn. Bhd..

In order to continue the legacy of Perisian Mawar and in order for the company to develop and market other products while retaining the name of Mawarsoft to be 1

exclusively used for Islamic based products, SRC was established with the goal to develop and market software to be used in other professional fields.

SRC is focused into research and development of products to be used for professional fields such as accountancy, management, and network based technologies. Since the beginning, SRC had developed various products according to clients' specifications. The clients of SRC include government agencies, government linked agencies, and private agencies. The experience earned by SRC since its establishment had made the company mature and it now has its own technologies in the field of multimedia, database and computer networking.

1.2 Organisation of the Company The organisational chart of the company is as shown below.

Figure 1.2: Organisation Chart Siliconetics Research Corporation Sdn. Bhd.

1.3 Advantages of the Company Siliconetics Research Corporation Sdn. Bhd. is fully committed into the research and development of computer related technologies. This R&D covers the development 2

of computer software, development of customised system as requested by clients and development of robotic systems.

Figure 1.3: Siliconetics Research Corporation Sdn. Bhd.

SRC is driven by quality and the constant R&D performed by the company ensure that the quality of its product is well taken care of. With non-stop research and development, SRC is able to improve its products and develop new products to meet the ever-changing needs of the clients. This also triggered the development of company's own technologies to be used in its products.

SRC is now proud of having its own technologies to be used in its range of products and services. These technologies are termed FlitBase, used by all of its database related technologies and products, and Click Multimedia, used for its multimedia based products and services.

1.4 Products and Services SRC offers a wide variety of products and services for its clients and customers. These products can be categorised into several brands.

Figure 1.4: The Logo for Siliconetics Products

Siliconetics branded products are software or systems in the management, administration and/or business field. Siliconetics products are designed to function in a network and has 2 versions. The Ant version is the smaller version that support stand alone usage on a single computer while the Spider version is client-server based and is suitable to be used by organisations. All Siliconetics products include: Siliconetics Association Spider Siliconetics Asset Spider Siliconetics Government Asset Spider Siliconetics Payroll Spider/Ant Siliconetics Project Spider Siliconetics Accounting Spider/Ant Siliconetics Cash Spider/Ant Siliconetics Billing Spider/Ant Siliconetics Sales Spider/Ant Siliconetices Property Spider Siliconetics Timetable Spider/Ant Siliconetics Exam Spider/Ant Siliconetics Library Spider/Ant FlitSoft Click Author FlitSoft Media Spider Siliconetics BizAdmin manages web pages hosted using BizGate Server Siliconetics FlitGate Database server Siliconetics BizGate HTML server

Figure 1.5: The Logo for Mawarsoft Products 4

Products bearing Mawarsoft nameplate are focused on Islamic contents. These products are: Mawarsoft Qari CD Mawarsoft Qari Player Mawarsoft Digital Furqan

Another brand by SRC is Hitkr which is the name used exclusively for the company's robotic products and system.

Beside software and robotic product, SRC also provide other services. These services include: Supplying computer software. These computer software may come from other manufacturer other than SRC if requested by the customer. Supplying computer devices and components as requested by the customer. Software or system development service as requested by the customer. PIC based system, device and/or components as requested by the customer. After sales services and training. Computer or robotic programming training. Development of websites as requested by the customer. Development of digital billboard system as requested by customer.

CHAPTER 2

PIC18 MICROCONTROLER PROJECTS

2.1 Introduction Many tasks were assigned throughout the duration Industrial Training. These tasks can be separated into 3 groups, namely the main tasks, secondary tasks, and other miscellaneous tasks.

The main tasks involved PIC18 microcontroller system development projects. These projects started from basic and simple blink a light emitting diode (LED) projet and grew more advanced into interfacing with external devices.

2.2 PIC18 Microcontroller and the PIC18F2550 PIC is a group of microcontroller family that were developed by Microchip Technology Inc. back in the late 1980s. It is the successor of General Instruments Peripheral Interface Controller developed in 1970s. PIC has become known for being low cost, containing various built-in peripherals, having small form factor and having extremely good design support by the manufacturer and PIC user community.

The PIC18 is the family of the highest performance 8-bit microcontroller from Microchip (the baseline and midrange 8-bit PIC family are the PIC10, PIC12 and PIC16). PIC18 contained much more on-chip memory and other more advanced peripherals. PIC18 was designed and optimised to be programmed in C programming language.

Figure 2.1: PIC18F2550 in 28 Pins DIP Form Factor

The microcontroller to be used throughout the Industrial Training is PIC18F2550 packaged in 28-pin Dual In-line Package (DIP). Some of the features of PIC18F255 are 32kBytes Flash program memory (16k instruction word), 2kBytes data memory, 24 input/output pins with most of them are multiplexed with other functions, 10-channel 10 bit analog to digital converter, 2 Capture/Compare/PWM (CCP) modules, 4 timer modules (one 8-bit timer and three 16-bit timers), 3 external interrupts, USB module, et cetera. PIC18F2550 supports in-circuit programming and it has various safety and failsafe features built-into the chip.

Figure 2.2: Pin Assignment of PIC18F2550 in DIP Form Factor

As a member of PIC18 family means that PIC18F2550 shares many similarities with other devices in PIC18 family. For example, the source code written for PIC18F2550 can be used with other PIC18s with little or no modification and vice versa.

2.3 Common Components and Devices Other than the PIC18F2550 microcontroller, there are other components and devices that is used throughout all the main projects. These components and devices are explained below.

Figure 2.3: Microchip PICkit3

Developed by Microchip, the manufacturer of PIC, PICkit3 is the device used to program PIC microcontroller chips with the source code written in MPLAB IDE.

Figure 2.4: Breadboard

Breadboard is a board used to construct temporary electrical circuits used for testing and prototyping an electrical or electronic system. Jumper wires are used to create electrical connection on the breadboard. Beside that, a 5-volt power supply unit is required to provide the electrical energy to power up the system constructed on the breadboard.

To write and download the source code for PIC18F2550, a computer is needed. This computer must run MPLAB IDE software and MPLAB C18 C compiler from Microchip. MPLAB IDE is an integrated development environment software tool that is used to write the source code, built the PIC microcontroller application project and interface with the PIC microcontroller. MPLAB IDE supports all PIC microcontroller devices and has built-in functions to simulate the source code and download the source 8

code into the PIC connected to the computer via PICkit3. To program in C programming language, a C compiler is required and Microchip had developed MPLAC C18 C compiler to compile source code in C language for PIC18 microcontrollers. MPLAB C18 is be fully integrated into MPLAB IDE.

Figure 2.5: Screenshot of the Splash Screen MPLAB IDE

MPLAB IDE must run on a computer and PICkit3 must be connected using universal serial bus (USB) to a computer running MPLAB IDE. The computer used for the main projects had the specification as follows. Intel Core Duo T2450 @ 2.00GHz processor 2.50GBytes of main memory 32-bit Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Service Pack 1 (6.1.7601 Build 7601) O/S MPLAB IDE version 8.85 with MPLAB C18 LITE version 3.36

2.4 Blinking an LED The first project is nicknamed Hello World of microcontroller system. In this project, an LED is connected to the PIC18F2550. The PIC18F2550 is to be downloaded with program that will continuously send digital high and digital low signal out through the output pin the LED is connected to to blink the LED. This is a simple project but it is important as this is the platform to learn how to write C program for PIC18F2550 and the basic of programming the PIC18F2550 microcontroller.

Components: 1 Light emitting diode, 2 1k resistor 9

Figure 2.6: Schematic Diagram of Blinking an LED Project

Figure 2.7: PICkit3 Connected to Program the PIC18F2550

Figure 2.8: Blinking an LED Project with the LED in On State

2.5 More LEDs Second project is similar to the first project, but with 8 LEDs. All 8 LEDs are connected to PORTB of PIC18F2550. The PIC18F2550 will send appropriate electrical signals to these LEDs to generate light effect on the LEDs. First task is to write program to blink all 8 LEDs. Next the program is edited to create different light effects on the LEDs, such as blinking the LEDs alternately, leftward running light effect, rightward 10

running light effect, knight rider light effect, et cetera.

Components: 8 Light emitting diode, 9 1k resistor

Figure 2.9: Schematic Diagram of More LEDs Project

Figure 2.10: More LEDs Project Showing One of the Light Effects

2.6 Switches and LEDs Next project is about input/output programming of PIC18F2550. In this project, switches are used as input and is connected to PORTB of PIC18F2550. Output is in the form of LEDs connected to PORTA and pin RC0 of PIC18F2550. Pin RC0 is used as substitute for pin RA7 that is not available on PIC18F2550. The PIC18F2550 will read the states of the switches and out put them to the LEDs. However, the LEDs is connected in active-low configuration, thus PIC18F2550 has to invert the states from the switches before output them to the LED. 11

Components: 8 Light emitting diode (LED), 1 8-channel DIP switch array, 9 1k resistor, 1 8-channel SIP 1k resistor

Figure 2.11: Schematic Diagram of Switches and LEDs Project

Figure 2.12: Switches and LEDs Project Showing Switches 2, 3, 7 and 8 Active

2.7 Switches and LED, Input/Output Control This is a more advanced project, and this project combines Switches and LEDs and More LEDs projects. In this project, the switches will determine which light effect will be created on the LEDs. The state of the switches and the generated light effect is as the table below. Table 2.1: State of Switches and Light Effect Active Switch Light Effect 1 2 12 Turn on all LEDs Blink all LEDs

3 4 8 Other conditions

Table 2.1: Continue Leftward running light effect Rightward running light effect Knight Rider light effect Turn off all LEDs

Components: 8 Light emitting diode (LED), 1 8-channel DIP switch array, 9 1k resistor, 1 8-channel SIP 1k resistor

Figure 2.13: Schematic Diagram of Switches and LEDs, Input/Output Control Project

Figure 2.14: Switches and LEDs, Input/Output Control Project Showing Switch 8 Active Triggering Generation of Knight Rider Light Effect

2.8 Seven-Segment Displays This is the first project involving external devices. Seven-segment displays are used to display numerical data. Seven-segment displays are operated by providing 13

electrical signals that will turn the LEDs placed under each segments on the display. In this project, PIC18F2550 will be interfacing directly with a 7-segment display to continuously display counting sequence from 0 till 9. The bit sequence to interface with the 7-segment display is stored in an array. The PIC18F2550 will enter a loop to count from 0 till 9 and in every iteration PIC18F2550 will send the bit sequence in the array that correspond to current count to the output port.

Components: 1 common cathode seven-segment display, 2 1k resistor

Figure 2.15: Schematic Diagram of Seven-segment Displays Project

Figure 2.16: Seven-segment Displays Project Showing Current Count 4

The lines of code that initialised the array with the bit sequence to interface with the 7-segment display is included in Appendix A

2.9 Two Seven-segment Displays Multiplexing This project used two seven-segment displays driven using the same port. The 14

common pin of both seven-segment displays are connected to RC0 and RC1, controlled by PIC18F2550. In this project, the PIC18F2550 will read value from the switches, split the value from the switches into two 4-bit nibbles and display the value of the upper nibble on the left seven-segment display and the value of the lower nibble on the right seven-segment display using look-up table array as in previous project.

This project went one step further by using the same port to interface with both seven-segment displays. The common pin of both seven-segment displays functions as enable pin to enable individual seven-segment display among the two. When sending the bit pattern representing the value of upper nibble from the switches, PIC18F2550 will enable the left seven-segment display by sending digital low signal through RC1. Likewise, when sending the bit pattern representing the value of lower nibble from the switches, PIC18F2550 will enable the right seven-segment display by sending digital low signal through RC0

Components: 2 common cathode seven-segment display, 1 8-channel DIP switch array, 3 1k resistor, 1 8-channel SIP 1k resistor

Figure 2.17: Schematic Diagram of Two Seven-segment Displays Multiplexing Project

2.10 Binary Coded Decimal to Seven-segment Display Decoder/Driver IC This project explored the use of binary-coded-decimal to seven-segment display decoder/driver IC. BCD to 7-segment display decoder such as 7447 and 7448 ICs are used to reduce the number of PIC18F2550's pins used and make 7-segment display 15

interfacing easier. Using a circuit similar to previous project, PIC18F2550 will only send the value to be displayed on 7-segment display to BCD to seven-segment display decoder and enable the required seven-segment display. This project should produce same result as in two seven-segment displays multiplexing project.

Components: 1 7448 BCD to common cathode 7-segment display decoder, 2 common cathode seven-segment display, 1 8-channel DIP switch array, 3 1k resistor, 1 8-channel SIP 1k resistor

Figure 2.18: Schematic Diagram of Binary Coded Decimal to Seven-segment Display Decoder/Driver IC Project

Figure 2.19: Binary Coded Decimal to Seven-segment Display Decoder/Driver IC Project Showing 00 When Switches Are 000000002 16

2.11 162 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 8-bit Mode This project will make the PIC18F2550 interface with common 162 alphanumeric character LCD module in 8-bit mode. The PIC18F2550 will first initialise the LCD module with the appropriate initialisation sequence for 8-bit interface mode. Then the PIC18F2550 will sent the characters to be displayed on the LCD module one by one. The flowchart of 8-bit mode initialisation is attached in Appendix B.

Components: 1 162 alphanumeric character liquid crystal display module, 1 1k resistor, 1 10k potentiometer/variable resistor, 1 pushbutton switch

Figure 2.20: Schematic Diagram of 162 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 8-bit Mode Project

Figure 2.21: 162 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 8-bit Mode Project 17

2.12 162 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 4-bit Mode Unlike the previous project, this project will utilise 4-bit interface mode of the LCD module to reduce the number of PIC18F2550's pins used. The PIC18F2550 will first initialise the LCD module with the initialisation sequence for 4-bit interface mode. Then the PIC18F2550 will sent the characters to be displayed on the LCD module one by one. The flowchart of 4-bit mode initialisation is attached in Appendix B.

Components: 1 162 alphanumeric character liquid crystal display module, 1 1k resistor, 1 10k potentiometer/variable resistor, 1 pushbutton switch

Figure 2.22: Schematic Diagram of 162 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 4-bit Mode Project

Figure 2.23: 162 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 4-bit Mode Project 18

2.13 161 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 4-bit Mode 161 LCD module is slightly more complicated because the left 8 characters are from line 1, while the right 8 characters are from line 2 of common 162 LCD module. In this project, PIC18F2550 will interface with the 161 LCD module in 4-bit mode. PIC18F2550 will first initialise the 161 LCD module with initialisation sequence for 4-bit mode. Then it will send the characters to be displayed one by one while at the same time being careful when addressing the characters' position on the 161 LCD module's screen.

Components: 1 161 alphanumeric character liquid crystal display module, 1 1k resistor, 1 10k potentiometer/variable resistor, 1 pushbutton switch

This project has the same schematic diagram as 162 LCD module interfacing in 4-bit mode project.

Figure 2.24: 161 Liquid Crystal Display Module Interfacing in 4-bit Mode Project

2.14 88 LED Matrix Display Interfacing The last project performed during the industrial training is to use pic18f2550 to interface with an 88 led matrix display. Interfacing with an 88 led matrix display requires the PIC18F2550 to send bit sequences to the 88 led matrix display row by 19

row. The characters can be generated by sending appropriate bit sequences that will light-up the individual LEDs on the 88 led matrix display accordingly. The characters to be generated in this project are as the figure below.

Figure 2.25: The 5 Characters to be Generated On the 88 LED Matrix Display

The lines of code that initialised the array with the bit sequence to generate the 5 characters and interface with the 88 LED matrix display is included in Appendix A

Components: 1 88 LED matrix display, 9 1k resistor, 1 pushbutton switch

Figure 2.26: Schematic Diagram of 88 LED Matrix Display Interfacing Project

20

Figure 2.27: 88 LED Matrix Display Interfacing Project Showing the Fourth Character

21

CHAPTER 3

PIC18 PROJECTS' DOCUMENTATION

3.1 Introduction The secondary task is about documenting and explaining everything done in the main projects. Despite being a secondary tasks, these tasks takes up most of the time spend during Industrial Training. These tasks require the use of software to draw the schematic circuits and the need to take pictures of the main projects.

3.2 Schematic Diagram Drawing One of the activities done as secondary task is to draw the schematic diagrams for all of the main projects. A computer aided drafting (CAD) tool is required to draw the schematic diagrams and to make the diagrams look more presentable.

Figure 3.1: Screen Shot of KiCad Project Manager

22

The CAD tool used for this purpose is KiCad EDA Suite. KiCad is an open source software suite for electronic design automation (EDA) made for designing schematics of electronic circuits and printed circuit boards (PCB). KiCad is developed by the KiCad Developers Team, and features an integrated environment with schematic capture, bill of materials list, PCB layout and much more. [1]

Since KiCad software tool is a new exposure, first step is to learn to operate this software. KiCad starts up as a project manager that will launch other software tool depending on the task to be performed. To draw schematic diagrams, only Eeschema software is used. Second step is to learn how to draw schematic diagrams in Eeschema. Previous experience with other CAD software tools or software suite such as the Altera Quartus II is very helpful.

Figure 3.2: Screen Shot Eeschema Showing Drawing of 88 LED Matrix Display Interfacing Project's Schematic Diagram

Eeschema has all commonly used components preloaded, however some component such as the 88 LED matrix display is not available in its default library, thus this component has to be custom-made using the Eeschema Component Library Editor. 23

Figure 3.3: Screen Shot Eeschema Component Library Editor Showing Drawing for New 88 LED Matrix Display Component

When the schematic diagrams are done, they can be plotted (copied) to clipboard to be used with other application software.

3.3 Documenting PIC18F2550 Projects For every PIC project completed, it had to be documented for future reference. The documentation is done using a word editor such as Microsoft Office Word.

Figure 3.4: Screen Shot from the Introductory Chapter of the Documentation 24

The documentation includes an introductory chapter to explain the what this documentation is about, the PIC and PIC18F2550, the PICkit3, MPLAB IDE and MPLAB C18, the C programming language to be used, and other related informations.

Figure 3.5: Screen Shot of the Documentation for Blinking An LED Project

The documentation for all of the PIC18 projects done must have the following informations. Introduction introduces about the project and what is the expected project's outcome. List of Components a list of all the components used in the projects. This part also explain in detail about the components used, for example, how to used an LCD module, its initialisation sequence and its instruction set, and how to use and interface the PIC18F2550 with the components. The Circuit shows the schematic diagram of the project being documented. This part also explain how to construct the circuit shown in the schematic diagram. The Steps explains step by step the procedures to do the project. This part also explain how to write the source code and what the source code do to the system. Known Issues discussions about the possible issues that will arise while doing the project. Source Code the source code for the project being documented is included 25

here. Appendix extra informations about the project and pictures of the complete project.

3.4 Update Hitkr Website using BizAdmin The third task included as the secondary task is to update the website of http://www.hitkr.com.my/ with the project that had been performed. The website is hosted on the company's web server that runs Siliconetics BizGate.

To update the webpage hosted using Siliconetics BizGate, the Siliconetics BizAdmin is needed. The supervisor had first explained how to use Siliconetics BizAdmin to upload new post and add pictures to the website.

Figure 3.6: Screen Shot of Siliconetics BizAdmin for Blinking An LED Project

26

Figure 3.7: Screen Shot while Adding Pictures using Siliconetics BizAdmin for More LEDs Project

27

CHAPTER 4

MISCELLANEOUS TASKS

4.1 Introduction Miscellaneous tasks are the tasks assigned that are not related to the main projects and the secondary tasks.

4.2 ThinClient and ThinStation ThinClient and ThinStation are computer networking devices that will utilise a computer's resources to its maximum potential by sharing the host computer's resources with other users at the same time.

Figure 4.1: ThinClient X300 System Showing the PCI Card and One of the Terminals

The first task is to troubleshoot a ThinClient system. There are no documentation 28

and driver CDs available for the system. A ThinClient X300 system consist of a PCI card and 3 access terminals. The 3 access terminals is connected to the PCI card via straight-through cables.

Closer inspection on the PCI card revealed the manufacturer of the system, which is NComputing. Browsed the website of NComputing for the drivers and other related documentations. Searched the support and community site of NComputing and the search returned that ThinClient X300 do not has driver for Windows 7 operating system, support is only available for Windows XP operating system.

Figure 4.2: ThinStation Access Terminal

ThinStation is similar to ThinClient that it provide service to allow multiple access to single computer resources to share the resource among multiple users. Unlike ThinClient that uses a PCI card to provide the access, ThinStation accesses the server computer through local area network (LAN). ThinStation has Windows CE installed and this operating system will be loaded whenever the system is switched on. Access to server computer is via Remote Desktop Connection service available by latest Windows operating systems.

The task is to learn to use this system and develop an operating procedure to use ThinStation system. First step is to create multiple user accounts on the computer that will function as the server where ThinStation will access to. Next step is to run Remote Desktop Connection service to request connection to the host computer b providing correct username and password. This is where a problem arose. 29

ThinStation has no CMOS battery as in normal computers. This caused ThinStation to revert to reset its time whenever it is switch on. Remote Desktop Connection request will be turned down by the host computer if the time difference between the requesting ThinStation system and the host computer is too large. Therefore, the ThinStation's system time had to be configured before requesting access via Remote Desktop Connection. When the time of the ThinStation system is configured, and the provided username and password is correct, the host computer sill grant access to ThinStation as the newly signed-in user.

4.3 Software Disc Packaging The company produces software packaged in CDs and DVDs. These discs has to be pack into proper packaging before the software discs is sent into the market. Software discs packaging are performed from time to time and this process is done by hand. Trainees are exposed to the methods used by small-scale companies to package CDs and DVDs.

First of all, the new software discs need to be place into a CD/DVD case. Second the labels of the software discs are added to the CD/DVD case. Then the software discs in the CD/DVD case will be warped with the CD/DVD case jacket that contains informations about the software discs. Next, this discs warped in CD/DVD case jacket warping is inserted into a plastic film warping to protect the content from dusts and improve its look. Once the discs is inserted into the plastic film warping, this plastic film is sealed using a sealer. Once the plastic film warping is properly sealed, hot air is blown to the plastic film to make the warping contract and tightly warp the content inside. Then the end product will be checked for quality before it is placed into a box for shipment.

4.4 Electrical Wiring Another task done during the Industrial Training is to perform electrical wiring around the company. The company is planning to add more computers and more plug 30

points are needed. The task is to wire electric cables to marked points where the new computers will be placed.

Figure 4.3: Performing Electrical Wiring, Inserting the Cable Puller to Pull the Electrical Cables.

Accurate measurements are taken before starting. Then the PVC pipes to be used is measured and cut accordingly. Next, several holes are drilled into the wall to mount the sockets and PVC pipes. The PVC pipes are also bended as needed. The sockets and PVC pipes are then mounted to the wall. To pull the electrical cables through the PVC piping, a cable puller is first inserted into the PVC pipes, then the electrical cables are slowly pulled through the PVC piping. Final step is to strip the cables and fasten them into the 3-pin plug socket points. The connection is tested for all plug points the check for connectivity.

4.5 Acrylic Prototyping One of the procedure while developing a new system is to build a prototype. Acrylic sheet is one of the commonly used material for building prototypes. This task is to expose to the basic of forming an acrylic sheet to build a prototype.

First of all, measurements had to be taken and marking of to cut and bend the acrylic sheet is performed. Based on the marking of where the acrylic sheet is to be cut, the sheet is scored using a scoring knife. The cut must be straight. Then the acrylic sheet 31

is break along the marking and the groove that was made when scoring the sheet. Once the acrylic sheet is cut/broken, it can be bent into the desired shape. To bend the sheet along the marking, a hot air blower is used to heat up and soften the acrylic sheet along the line it will be bent. When the acrylic is soft enough, it can be bent easily. Bending of the acrylic sheet is repeated on other markings to create the desired shape.

Figure 4.4: The End Product of Acrylic Sheet Shaping

4.6 Visit by Lecturer from UniMAP On 14th August 2012 at 10.30am, Associate Professor Dr. Mohammud B. Che Husain paid a visit to the company to check on my progress during Industrial Training. A presentation is made, followed by discussion of what had been done during Industrial Training.

32

CHAPTER 5

DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Discussion The projects from main task during Industrial Training used the PIC18F2550 microcontroller. This microcontroller technology is not taught in the School of Computer and Communication Engineering. Thus the PIC18 is a new technology that I learnt during Industrial Training at Siliconetics Research Corporation Sdn. Bhd.

Despite being unfamiliar with the PIC18, the Internet is a good source of information about PIC18 and a book by Mazidi, M. A. (2008) titled PIC Microcontroller And Embedded Systems Using Assembly and C for PIC18 is a good reference to learn PIC. Furthermore, although PIC has different architecture compare to the microcontroller and microprocessor devices taught by SCCE, the same basic of programming a microcontroler or microprocessor system is still the same.

The use of C programming language in writing the source code for programming the PIC18F2550 makes programming easier. However this will require a C compiler that is designed to compile the source code of PIC18. The drawback of using C programming for this purpose is the lack of direct control of the microcontroler. Programmer will limited access to certain function of the microcontroller compared to programming in assembly language.

Documenting a project can be seen as an important task beacuse it can be used as future reference.

33

5.2 Recommendation Some of the courses taught in the university is using the technologies that is considered outdated by the industry. The university should at least expose the students to the use of latest technologies used in the industry to prepare the students for working world.

34

CHAPTER 6

CONCLUSION

6.1 Conclusion Throughout the Industrial Training, many knowledge and experiences had been gained. Knowledge about microcontroller devices other than the 8085 microprocessor learnt in UniMAP showed that even with different devices with different architectures, the basics learnt by using 8085 is still applicable. Beside that, the use of PIC18 has many benefit as it is one of the widely used microcontroller technology in the market. The use of C programming language to program the PIC showed that the knowledge gained during the first year is not to be wasted as it can be used in future years. Experiences gained throughout the Industrial Training showed that the training is beneficial to train a student with the right attitude while working.

In a nutshell, the training stint at Siliconetics Research Corporation Sdn. Bhd. for 12 weeks has many benefit. The exposure to current and latest technology, and the new knowledge and experiences gained while undergoing Industrial Training is not to be wasted and it can be used in the future.

35

REFERENCES

[1] KiCad, (2012). About KiCad, http://www.kicadpcb.org/display/KICAD/About+KiCad, 5 September 2012 : 09:40am.

[2] Mazidi, M.A., McKinlay, R.D. and Causey, D. (2008). PIC microcontroller and embedded systems using assembly and C for PIC18, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

36

Appendix A (i): Array Initialisation of Bit Pattern For Common Cathode SevenSegment Display Interfacing

const char seg7 [10] = {

0x3F, 0x06, 0x5B, 0x4F, 0x66, 0x6D, 0x7D, 0x07, 0x7F, 0x67 };

//bit pattern for number 0 //bit pattern for number 1 //bit pattern for number 2 //bit pattern for number 3 //bit pattern for number 4 //bit pattern for number 5 //bit pattern for number 6 //bit pattern for number 7 //bit pattern for number 8 //bit pattern for number 9

37

Appendix A (ii): Array Initialisation of Bit Pattern For 88 LED Matrix Display Interfacing

unsigned char characters[NUMCHAR][8] = { {0x18, 0x38, 0x78, 0xff, 0xff, 0x78, 0x38, 0x18}, {0x18, 0x3c, 0x7e, 0xff, 0xff, 0x18, 0x18, 0x18}, {0x18, 0x1c, 0x1e, 0xff, 0xff, 0x1e, 0x1c, 0x18}, {0x00, 0x66, 0xff, 0xff, 0x7e, 0x3c, 0x18, 0x00}, {0b00000000, 0b01100110, 0b01100110, 0b10000001, 0b11000011, 0b01111110, 0b00111100, 0b00000000} };

//left arrow

//up arrow

//right arrow

//heart shape

//smiley //using binary

38

Appendix B (i): Flowchart of Initialisation Sequence of LCD Module for 8-bit Interface Mode

39

Appendix B (ii): Flowchart of Initialisation Sequence of LCD Module for 4-bit Interface Mode

40

Appendix C: C Program for 161 LCD 4-Bit Interfacing

//C program for interfacing with 16x1 LCD module in 4-bit mode to display //text string Hello World centred on the screen #include <p18f2550.h> #pragma config FOSC = INTOSCIO_EC #pragma config WDT = OFF #pragma config LVP = OFF #define lcd_rs LATBbits.LATB0 #define lcd_rw LATBbits.LATB1 #define lcd_en LATBbits.LATB2 #define lcd_db LATB void delay(unsigned int); void lcd_cmd4(unsigned char); void lcd_dat4(unsigned char); void lcd_init4(); void main() { TRISB = 0x00; lcd_init4(); lcd_cmd4(0x82); lcd_dat4('H'); delay(1); lcd_dat4('e'); delay(1); lcd_dat4('l'); delay(1); lcd_dat4('l'); delay(1); lcd_dat4('o'); delay(1); lcd_dat4(' '); lcd_cmd4(0xC0); lcd_dat4('W'); delay(1); lcd_dat4('o'); delay(1); lcd_dat4('r'); delay(1); lcd_dat4('l'); delay(1); lcd_dat4('d'); delay(1); lcd_dat4('!'); delay(1); while (1); } void lcd_init4() { delay(15); lcd_cmd4(0x03); delay(5); lcd_cmd4(0x33); //Internal oscillator, port function on RA6, EC used by USB //Disable watchdog timer //Disable LVP //label LATC2 as lcd_rs //label LATC6 as lcd_rw //label LATC7 as lcd_en //label LATB as lcd_db //prototype of delay() function //prototype of lcd_cmd4() function //prototype of lcd_dat4() function //prototype of lcd_init4() function

//PortB as output //initialise LCD //set position 3 of line 1 (left half of LCD) //send 'H' to LCD //short delay //send 'e' to LCD //send 'l' to LCD //send 'l' to LCD //send 'o' to LCD //send ' ' (space character) to LCD //set position 0 of line 2 (right half of LCD) //send 'W' to LCD //send 'o' to LCD //send 'r' to LCD //send 'l' to LCD //send 'd' to LCD //send '!' to LCD

//initial delay

//8 bit, 2 lines, 5x7 font (system set)

41

Appendix C: C Program for 161 LCD 4-Bit Interfacing

lcd_cmd4(0x32); lcd_cmd4(0x28); lcd_cmd4(0x0E); lcd_cmd4(0x01); lcd_cmd4(0x06); delay(1); } void lcd_cmd4(unsigned char commd) { unsigned char cmdhi, cmdlo; cmdhi = commd & 0xF0; cmdlo = (commd << 4) & 0xF0; lcd_en = 0; lcd_rs = 0; lcd_rw = 0; lcd_db = cmdhi | 0b00000100; lcd_db = cmdhi | 0b00000000; delay(1); //store upper nibble in cmdhi //store lower nibble in cmdlo //en initially low //select command register //to write command to lcd //place high nibble command and en high //place high nibble command and en low //(to activate LCD //delay for normal processing //8 bit, 2 lines, 5x7 font (system set) //4 bit, 2 lines, 5x7 font (system set) //display on, cursor on, blinking(display) //clear display //inc address, no shift(entry mode set)

lcd_db = cmdlo | 0b00000100; lcd_db = cmdlo | 0b00000000; // } delay(1);

//place low nibble command and en high //place low nibble command and en low //(to activate LCD) //delay for processing

void lcd_dat4(unsigned char datum) { unsigned char dathi, datlo; dathi = datum & 0xF0; datlo = (datum << 4) & 0xF0; lcd_en = 0; lcd_rs = 1; lcd_rw = 0; lcd_db = dathi | 0b00000101; lcd_db = dathi | 0b00000001; delay(1); lcd_db = datlo | 0b00000101; lcd_db = datlo | 0b00000001; delay(1); } void delay(unsigned int passed) { unsigned int j, k; for (j=0;j<passed;j++) for (k=0;k<10;k++); } //store upper nibble in dathi //store lower nibble in datlo //en initially low //select data register //to write command to lcd //place high nibble command and en high //place high nibble command and en low //(to activate LCD) //delay for processing //place low nibble command and en high //place lwo nibble command and en low // (to activate LCD) //delay for processing

42

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project

CHAPTER 3

Project 6 LED Matrices

Introduction Another interesting display device that is commonly used is the LED matrix display. This device is versatile and can be used to display any desired characters when configured properly. It is also easy to use as it is built using only light emitting diodes (LEDs) and internal connectors. LED matrix displays vary greatly in size according to users preferences. The size of LED matrices ranges between as small as 44 and up until as large as desired by the user that may contain more that thousands of individual LEDs. The difference in size does not matter once the basic of interfacing with a LED matrix in understood.

In this project, 88 LED matrix will be used to demonstrate how to interface with an LED matrix to display 5 different characters.

When connecting and controlling external devices or peripherals, data are transmitted using wires from output port of the microcontroller to specific pins on the external devices. The pin assignment of the external device or peripheral plays important role and different external devices has different number of pins and different pin assignments. Understanding the function of each pins of the external devices is crucial, thus it is advisable to refer to the datasheet of the external devices whenever it is to be used before connecting to the PIC18.

Components Computer with MPLAB IDE and MPLAB C18 installed PICkit3 Debugger/Programmer with USB connector 43

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project 5V power supply Breadboard (Protoboard) PIC18F2550 1 1k resistor 8 330 resistor 1 88 LED matrix display Jumper wires

LED matrix is a display device that is made up from many individual light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in a matrix. This matrix can be in any size and there is no restriction on what is the maximum size of the LED matrix. The LED matrix functions just like an ordinary LED, it will light up when appropriate electrical current is applied to the LED at the correct polarity. The basic construction of a 44 LED matrix is similar to the figure below.

Figure 3.6.1: The Internal Circuitry of a 44 LED matrix

As shown above, the anodes of the LEDs placed in the same row are connected together. The anodes of the LEDs at first row is connected to pin R1, the anodes of the LEDs at second row is connected to R2 and so on. The same goes to the cathodes of the LEDs. The cathodes of the LEDs at first column is connected to C1, the cathodes of the LEDs at second column is connected to C2 and so on. The construction of almost all LED matrix displays is the same as above, with slight variation. Some LED matrix display vary in a way that the polarity of the internal LEDs are reversed with respect to the diagram above, which mean that the anodes are connected to columns and cathodes are connected to rows.

Different manufacturer has different configuration for their LED matrix displays and the variety of sizes of LED matrix display available means that there are no standard pin assignments for LED matrix displays. For example, let us take 2 different 88 LED matrix displays and compare. 44

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project

The first 88 LED matrix display has a total of 16 pins with 8 pins at each side. The second 88 LED matrix display on the other hand has a total of 24 pins with 12 pins at each side. That is more pins than needed for an 88 as only 8 pins for the rows and 8 pins for the column is enough to interface with the LED matrix display.

Figure 3.6.2: Two Different 88 LED matrix displays

Figure 3.6.3: The Back View of Two 88 LED Matrix Displays. The First LED Matrix Display (Left) Has 16 Pins While the Second (Right) Has 24 Pins

As mentioned previously, both of these 88 LED Matrix Displays has different pin number, thus different pin assignments. There are no markings on both displays to indicate the functions of their pins or the polarity of the pins and the individual LED inside of them. Therefore users have to determine the polarity of the pins and how the pins are connected to the internal LEDs. To makes things easier, assume that row pins are connected to anodes and column pins are connected to cathodes. A method that can be used to determine the pins functions and polarity on a LED matrix display is to 45

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project supply power (VDD/VCC) and ground (VSS/GND) to the pins and see which LED lights up on the display. A multimeter with diode test function may also be used to determine the pins function and polarity of the LED matrix displays.

Figure 3.6.4: Testing the First LED Matrix Display Using a Multimeter with Diode Test Function that Turns On the LED at Position Row4, Col6

Figure 3.6.5: Testing the Second LED Matrix Display Using a Multimeter with Diode Test Function that Turns On the LED at Position Row5, Col6

Once the pins function and polarity are figured out, the LED matrix display can be used to display any character that fits into its size. To turn on LEDs on the LED matrix display, an electrical supply signal with appropriate polarity has to be applied to the appropriate column and row pins. To turn on all individual LEDs on the matrix display, supply power (VDD/VCC) to all row pins and ground (VSS/GND) to the column pins 46

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project

Figure 3.6.6: All LEDs of the Two 88 LED Matrix Displays are Turned On

After testing both LED matrix displays, both displays have the pin assignments shown below. Note that with the pin assignment as below, users can turn the matrix displays around and the pin assignments are still the same. The row pins are anode and the column pins are cathode.

Figure 3.6.7: Pin Assignments of Two 88 LED Matrix Displays. The First LED Matrix Display (Left) Has 16 Pins While the Second (Right) Has 24 Pins

All LED matrix displays function in a similar way.

The Circuit (Schematic Diagram) To build the circuit according to the circuit diagram shown below, First connect the power pins of the PIC (VDD and VSS) to the power source and GND. Connect to a 1k pull-up resistor as in the previous projects. Then connect to a push button switch before connecting the push button switch to ground. This will function as a Master Clear reset switch for the PIC. The PIC will be reset when the push button switch is pressed (Master CLear Reset). Connect all the pins of PORTB to the row pins of the 88 LED matrix display. The RB0 pin of PIC18F2550 is connected to R1 of the 8 LED matrix display, the RB1 pin to R2 pin, RB2 pin to R3 and so on. Connect all the pins of PORTA to column pins of the 88 LED matrix display. Since PORTA has only 7 pins but there are 8 column pins on the 88 LED matrix display, 47

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project pin RC0 will be used to substitute as the eighth pin of PORTA (RA7). The RA0 pin of PIC18F2550 is connected to C1 of 88 LED matrix display, pin RA1 to C2 and so on till the last pin RA6 to C7. Lastly connect RC0 of PIC18 to C8 of the LED matrix display. To avoid burning the LEDs on the LED matrix display, pins of PORTA and RC0 should be connected to a resistor before connecting it to the column pins of the LED matrix display. The 88 LED matrix display used for this circuit is same as the first 88 LED matrix display discussed above.

Schematic 3.5: Circuit Diagram to Interface with a 88 LED Matrix Display

Steps 48

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project 1. Construct the circuit according to the schematic diagram. Below is an example of the circuit.

Figure 3.6.8: The Circuit Constructed on Breadboard with the 88 LED Matrix Display Removed. The Red Dots Mark Where the Pins of the 88 LED Matrix Display Will Be Plugged-In To.

Figure 3.6.9: The Circuit Constructed on Breadboard with the 88 LED Matrix Display in Place 49

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project 2. Open MPLAB IDE. Create a new project using Project Wizard. Navigate to current projects directory and add a .c file to the project.

3. This program will interface with the 88 LED Matrix Display to continuously display 5 different characters in a sequence as below. The characters are displayed on the 88 LED Matrix Display by creating the dots row by row. But this is done in high speed such that the human eyes will see that all the dots are turned on at the same time.

Figure 3.6.10: The Sequence from (Left to Right) of the Characters to Be Displayed on the 88 LED Matrix Display

4. The program should first initialise the PIC with appropriate settings and configurations. Then it will create an array to store the bit pattern to turn on the individual LEDs on the matrix row by row. After that the program will enter a loop that will continuously display the characters forever. a. First setup the PIC with necessary configurations by adding the appropriate #include, #pragma, function prototypes and other initialisation codes to the .c file. There will be a function that will interface with the 88 LED matrix display in this program.
#include <p18f2550.h> #pragma config FOSC = INTOSCIO_EC //Internal oscillator, port //function on RA6, EC used by USB #pragma config WDT = OFF #pragma config LVP = OFF //Disable watchdog timer //Disable LVP

#define NUMCHAR 5

//define number of characters

void dispMat(unsigned char, unsigned char); //function prototypes

void main() { }

50

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project b. Next create an array that will be initialised with the bit patterns of all 8 rows of the 88 LED matrix display for 5 characters. This will be a 2-dimensional array of 58. The array will has a total of 5 characters and 8 rows per character. This array can be written in binary or hexadecimal. Every value in the array is the bit pattern of which LED of the row has to be turned on to build the character. The position of 0 in the value is where the LEDs will not be turned on and position of 1 is where the LEDs will be turned on for any given row. All characters have 8 rows. Below is the array to create the characters in the sequence stated in step 3.
unsigned char characters[NUMCHAR][8] = { {0x18,0x38,0x78,0xff, //left arrow 0xff,0x78,0x38,0x18}, //using hexadecimal {0x18,0x3c,0x7e,0xff, //up arrow 0xff,0x18,0x18,0x18}, {0x18,0x1c,0x1e,0xff, //right arrow 0xff,0x1e,0x1c,0x18}, {0x00,0x66,0xff,0xff, //heart shape 0x7e,0x3c,0x18,0x00}, {0b00000000,0b01100110,//smiley 0b01100110,0b10000001, //using binary 0b11000011,0b01111110, 0b00111100,0b00000000} }; //array of bit patterns for // the 5 characters

c. In the main function, declare the variables to be used, and specify the direction of our data on PORTA, PORTB and RC0. Add the following line into the main function.
unsigned char cntr; unsigned char outR; unsigned char cntrR; unsigned char selChar; //variables declaration //indicate which row is active //count number of row, maximum 8 //count which character to be displayed

TRISA = 0x00; TRISB = 0x00; TRISCbits.TRISC0 = 0;

//PortA as Output //PortB as Output //PortC.RC0 as Output

//initialise the declared variables outR = 0x01; selChar = 0; //start from row1 //start with 1st character;

d. The operations should continue indefinitely. A loop forever structure is needed 51

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project

while(1) { } //loop forever

e. In the loop, create a for loop that will loop through the characters stored in the array created in step 4(b).
for(selChar=0;selChar<NUMCHAR;selChar++)//loop between characters { }

f.

In the for loop, create another for loop that will loop through every row of the bit pattern. This loop will call a function dispMat() that will interface with the 88 LED matrix display by sending the bit pattern of current row pointed by selChar and cntrR variables. This loop will also activate next row after the bit pattern of current row is sent to the LED matrix display through dispMat().
//to turn on LEDs of current row and activate next row for(cntrR=0;cntrR<8;cntrR++) { //call function to interface with the 8x8 LED matrix display //send the characters pointed by selChar and cntrR variables in //the array and which row will be activated to dispMat dispMat(characters[selChar][cntrR],outR); //activate next row outR=outR<<1; } //start with column1 again outR = 0x01;

g. After exiting this loop, the variable outR that indicates which row to be activated has to be reset to start from R1 again.

h. Next is to create define the dispMat() function. This function will accept the bit pattern of which LED of a given row to be turned on and the pattern of which row need to be turned on. Remember that PORTB of PIC18F2550 is connected to row pins of the 88 LED matrix display and PORTA (and RC0) of PIC18F2550 is connected to the column pins of the LED matrix display which is active low. i. dispMat()has to format the information passed from function call to interface with the 88 LED matrix display. The bit pattern to be sent to 52

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project column pins for each active row has to be inverted as the column pins are active low. Study the function definition below.
//receive which row and which LED of the row to be turned on //format the received data and send to 8x8 LED matrix display void dispMat(unsigned char passA, unsigned char passB) { unsigned char outA; //the column are active low, //invert data passed by function call outA=~passA;

//send row data PORTB = passB; //send column data on RC0 when RA7 should be on PORTA = outA; if(outA >= 0x80) { } else { } } PORTCbits.RC0 = 0; //off RC0 if RA7 off PORTCbits.RC0 = 1; //check status of RA7 //on RC0 if RA7 on

5. Build All the project. Correct any error that occurred in the project and the source code. 6. Select the PICkit3 as the programmer to be used and set the build configuration to Release. Build the project again. 7. Connect the PICkit3 to the USB port of your computer and to the PIC. Make sure that the pins of the PICkit3 are connected to the proper pins on the PIC18F2550. Switch on the power supply. MPLAB IDE will detect the PICkit3 and the PIC connected to it. Make sure that the PIC device attached to the PICkit3 is the same device we had configured in above steps (PIC18F2550). Click OK at the Voltage Caution dialog box that appears.

8. Download the program we had written into the PIC18F2550. Observe the output.

53

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project 9. At this point you may not see any pattern or characters shown on the 88 LED matrix display and all LEDs seem to be turned on. Add the following lines of codes highlighted in yellow into the exact position as below. This lines of codes will force the program the continuously generate each characters 150 times before changing to next character in the sequence. It will also functions as a form of delay for every characters.
for(selChar=0;selChar<NUMCHAR;selChar++) { //loop between characters //continously turn on LEDs row by row 150 times function as delay //for each of the characters for(cntr=0;cntr<150;cntr++) { //to turn on LEDs of current row and activate next row for(cntrR=0;cntrR<8;cntrR++) { //call function to interface with 8x8 LED matrix display //send the characters pointed by selChar and cntrR //variables in the array and // which row will be activated to dispMat dispMat(characters[selChar][cntrR],outR); //activate next row outR=outR<<1; } //start with row1 again outR = 0x01; } }

10. Build All the project and download the source code again. Observe the result.

11. Do changes to the array that stores the bit sequence to include your own character design. Build All the project and download the source code again. Observe that your own characters are displaying properly. 12. Change the condition of the statement for(cntr=0;cntr<150;cntr++) to change the duration for each character to be displayed on the LED matrix display.

Known Issues 1. The characters displayed on the 88 LED matrix display is mirrored left to right

54

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project a. When storing the bit sequence of the LEDs to be turned on in the array, we assume the LSB is at the right side of the string and the MSB is at the left side of the string which is more natural to be looked at when coding. However the LSB of PORTA is actually connected to C1 which is located at the left side of the display and RC0 (MSB of PORTA) is connected to C8 located at the right side of the display. This caused the mirroring of the character displayed on the 88 LED matrix display. b. Change bit sequence of the LEDs to be turned on in the array so that the bit sequence is the mirrored version of the original bit sequence. Or c. Change the circuit such that RA0 is connected to C8, RA1 to C7 and so on till lastly RC0 is connected to C1. Or d. Add into the program a function that will produce the mirrored version the bit sequence. Add the function call to this function right before sending the bit sequence to the 88 LED matrix display. (This method is included into the attached .c file below.)

The .c File
#include <p18f2550.h>

#pragma config FOSC = INTOSCIO_EC #pragma config WDT = OFF #pragma config LVP = OFF

//Internal oscillator, port function on RA6 //Disable watchdog timer //Disable LVP

#define NUMCHAR 5

//define number of characters

void dispMat(unsigned char, unsigned char); //function prototypes unsigned char mirrorByte(unsigned char);

unsigned char characters[NUMCHAR][8] = {

{0x18,0x38,0x78,0xff, //left arrow 0xff,0x78,0x38,0x18}, //using hexadecimal {0x18,0x3c,0x7e,0xff, //up arrow 0xff,0x18,0x18,0x18}, {0x18,0x1c,0x1e,0xff, //right arrow 0xff,0x1e,0x1c,0x18}, {0x00,0x66,0xff,0xff, //heart shape 0x7e,0x3c,0x18,0x00}, {0b00000000, 0b01100110, 0b01100110, //smiley //using binary

55

Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project

0b10000001, 0b11000011, 0b01111110, 0b00111100, 0b00000000} }; //the characters

void main() { unsigned char cntr, outR; unsigned char cntrR, selChar;

//main function //variables declaration

TRISA = 0x00; TRISB = 0x00; TRISCbits.TRISC0 = 0;

//PortA as Output //PortB as Output //PortC.RC0 as Output

//initialise the declared variables outR = 0x01; selChar = 0; //start from row1 //start with 1st character

while(1) { for(selChar=0;selChar<NUMCHAR;selChar++) {

//loop forever //loop between characters

//continously turn on LEDs row by row 150 times function as delay //for each of the characters for(cntr=0;cntr<150;cntr++) { //to turn on LEDs of current row and activate next row for(cntrR=0;cntrR<8;cntrR++) { //call function to interface with 8x8 LED matrix //display send the characters pointed by selChar //and cntrR variables in the array and // which row will be activated to dispMat() dispMat(characters[selChar][cntrR],outR); //activate next row outR=outR<<1; } //start with row1 again outR = 0x01; }

} } }

//receive which row to activate and which LED of the row to be turned on //format the received data and send to 8x8 LED matrix display void dispMat(unsigned char passA, unsigned char passB) { unsigned char outA; //the column are active low, invert data passed by function call outA=~passA;

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Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project

//mirror the data left and right outA = mirrorByte(outA); //send row data PORTB = passB; //send column data on RC0 when RA7 should be on PORTA = outA; if(outA >= 0x80) { } else { } } PORTCbits.RC0 = 0; //off RC0 if RA7 off PORTCbits.RC0 = 1; //check status of RA7 //on RC0 if RA7 on

//function to left-right mirror a byte string unsigned char mirrorByte(unsigned char toMirror) { unsigned char mirrored=0x00, cnt8; for(cnt8=0;cnt8<8;cnt8++) { mirrored = mirrored<<1; mirrored = mirrored | (toMirror & 0x01); toMirror = toMirror>>1; } return mirrored; }

Appendix

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Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project Figure 3.6.11: First Character, Left Arrow

Figure 3.6.12: Second Character, Up Arrow

Figure 3.6.13: Third Character, Right Arrow

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Appendix D: Documentation for 88 LED Matrix Display Project

Figure 3.6.14: Fourth Character, Heart Shape

Figure 3.6.15: Fifth Character, Smiley

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