Summary of PIC18F2550 : Blink LED using XC8 Compiler
This tutorial demonstrates programming a 28-pin PIC18F2550 microcontroller using MPLAB X IDE and the XC8 compiler to blink LEDs. It presents two distinct coding methods: one utilizing a manual for-loop for delays and another employing simpler, built-in delay routines. The guide emphasizes that while concepts align with previous PIC18F4550 tutorials, specific code modifications are necessary for the PIC18F2550. Users are advised to consult the official datasheet before implementation.
Parts used in the PIC18F2550 LED Blinking Project:
- Breadboard
- PIC18F2550 Microcontroller
- LED
- IC 7805 (if necessary)
Welcome to another chapter of PIC18F programming Tutorial. In this chapter we are going to program a simple 28 pin PIC18F2550 microcontroller using mplabx IDE and XC8 Compiler.
The concepts for programming a pic18f2550 microcontroller is still going to be almost same as previous tutorials on pic18f4550 microcontroller, however since pic18f2550 is a different microcontroller in the same pic18F family, so little modification is required with the way it is coded.
In this tutorial we are going to blink few simple led using pic18f2550. Two source codes are posted here which basically does the same thing, but the motive is to project the various style of coding the same thing in different ways. The method posted here are some of the most common methods for coding a PIC18F2550 microcontroller.
Unlike the traditions c18, here we choose to use the xc8 compiler which happened to be the most recent compiler introduced by microchip. PIC18F2550 is a 28 pin Microcontroller, which also supports USB communication. Always download a copy of pic18F2550 Datasheet from the manufacturer’s website before experimenting with the respective microcontroller.
Components Required
–Breadboard
–PIC18F2550 Microcontroller
-LED
–IC 7805 (if necessary)
Blinking a led is comparatively is simple, we just have to define the ports output and Set the pins to high or low with enough delay in between the High and low for a visible blink. If the power source for input to microcontroller is more than 5V then add a IC 7805 before proving the Input voltage to avoid damage to the microcontroller.
Source Code 1
As mentioned above, that the Source code here is compiled with mplabx ide and XC8 compiler however you can use the traditional c18 compiler as well, if you prefer the old Mplab IDE. The code below blinks the led with delay of few seconds. Without using any predefined delay routines. For delay we would use a simple for loop, the next example shows without using an for loop which is much more simple and short.
For more detail: PIC18F2550 : Blink LED using XC8 Compiler
- Which compiler is recommended for this project?
The article recommends using the XC8 compiler as it is the most recent compiler introduced by Microchip. - Can I use the traditional C18 compiler instead of XC8?
Yes, you can use the traditional C18 compiler if you prefer the old MPLAB IDE. - What is the purpose of the IC 7805 in this circuit?
The IC 7805 is added if the input power source is more than 5V to avoid damaging the microcontroller. - How does Source Code 1 achieve the delay for blinking?
Source Code 1 uses a simple for loop to create a delay without relying on predefined delay routines. - What is the main difference between the two source codes provided?
One code uses a for loop for delays, while the other uses a much simpler method without a for loop. - Is the programming concept for PIC18F2550 different from PIC18F4550?
The concepts are almost the same, but little modification is required because they are different microcontrollers in the same family. - What should be downloaded before experimenting with the microcontroller?
You should always download a copy of the PIC18F2550 Datasheet from the manufacturer's website. - What is the primary function of the code examples in this tutorial?
The code examples are designed to blink a few simple LEDs.
