Summary of PIC18F4550 DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND PIC18F4550 EXAMPLES
This article details a DIY PIC18F4550 development board designed for reliable, wired USB communication to solve home automation issues like doorbell alerts and surveillance. It highlights the use of Eagle PCB design software and MPLAB C compiler, offering source code and hex files. The project includes various application circuits such as servo control, motor drivers, and media player interfaces, emphasizing a cost-effective, hard-wired alternative to unstable wireless systems.
Parts used in the PIC18F4550 Development Board:
- PIC18F4550 microcontroller
- PCB diagram drawings prepared by Eagle
- MPLAB C language software
- Hex and Mcw files
- Microchip 18f4550 PIC based USB slave unit
- £5.00 USB camera
- High quality USB cable (20 metre length)
- Servo output circuit (PIC18F252)
- USB shutter control circuit
- 4N25 opto-coupler interface card
- Isolated MOSFET relay control
- Stepper motor control card with IRF630 drivers
- USB Connected Rotary Encoder
- Windows Media Player control interface
PIC18F4550 for a simple handy trial development board and various application circuits are also circuits Eagle prepared by the PCB diagram drawings and PIC C language prepared by the software (MPLAB,. C. Hex,. Mcw,…. Electronics Projects, PIC18F4550 Development Board and PIC18F4550 Examples “avr development board, pic development board, ”
PIC18F4550 DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND PIC18F4550 EXAMPLES
PIC18F4550 for a simple handy trial development board and various application circuits are also circuits Eagle prepared by the PCB diagram drawings and PIC C language prepared by the software (MPLAB,. C. Hex,. Mcw,…. Electronics Projects, PIC18F4550 Development Board and PIC18F4550 Examples “avr development board, pic development board, ”
PIC18F4550 for a simple handy trial development board and various application circuits are also circuits Eagle prepared by the PCB diagram drawings and PIC C language prepared by the software (MPLAB,. C. Hex,. Mcw,. McP etc.) Files provided in abundance There are examples
Application list
PIC18F4550 USB experiment board
The SPU’s associated servo control circuit (6 servo output PIC18F252)
USB shutter control circuit (PIC18F252 PIC18F4550)
4N25 opto-coupler interface card isolated MOSFET relay control
Stepper motor control card (pic output MOSFET drivers for the IRF630)
USB Connected “Rotary Encoder” (PIC18F250 focus control)
USB Connected “Windows Media Player” control (forward, backward, volume, play, stop)
MICROCHIP PIC USB DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Let me admit it – I’m quite deaf! Despite having a digital hearing-aid in each ear, I still miss hearing the doorbell when I’m working in my den. All to often I find that a parcel delivery has been attempted – the result of my not hearing the doorbell is usually a card inviting me to pick up the parcel at the post-restante not less than 48 hours from the failed delivery attempt. Then there’s the problem of hawkers and cold-callers – on the occasions when I do hear the doorbell, it’s inevitably someone who simply wants to waste my time trying to sell me new windows, a new drive, new roof or whatever. These people get a curt ‘No thank you’. Those that persist get something much stronger – which I won’t repeat here.
When I do have to go out, and I’m half-expecting a parcel delivery, I have to stick a hastily-written note on the inside of the window beside the front door. I thought I’d have a go at addressing these issues with a messaging system connecting up the various items and linked in to my PC in the den. It had to be cheap, reliable and easy to modify, so a home-brew solution was sought. I’ve ruled out wireless-connected TCP/IP because to date my experience with wireless networking has been a complete waste of time – with transmission dropping out just when it’s needed. The next choice was a USB-based connection, and so a trial was done with a 20 metre length of high quality cable connecting the PC to a lashed-up USB slave unit based on Microchips 18f4550 PIC. No problems were apparent transmitting short messages and commands. A £5.00 USB camera from Tesco again connected to the PC by high quality cable completes the surveillance part of the system.
Source: connectable.org.uk/ PIC18F4550 Development Board and PIC18F4550 Examples alternative link: pic18f4550-development-board-and-pic18f4550-examples.rar alternative link2 alternative link3
- Why did the author choose a USB connection over wireless networking?
The author chose USB because their experience with wireless TCP/IP was unreliable due to frequent transmission drops. - What software tools were used to prepare the circuit designs and code?
Eagle was used for PCB diagram drawings and MPLAB C language software was used for the code preparation. - Can this development board control servo motors?
Yes, the project includes an associated servo control circuit using a PIC18F252. - How is the doorbell alert system connected to the PC?
A trial was done using a 20 metre length of high quality cable connecting the PC to a lashed-up USB slave unit based on the Microchip 18f4550 PIC. - What components are used for the stepper motor control card?
The card uses PIC outputs with MOSFET drivers specifically for the IRF630. - Does the system support controlling Windows Media Player functions?
Yes, there is a USB Connected Windows Media Player control feature that supports forward, backward, volume, play, and stop. - What type of file formats are provided for the project examples?
The project provides C, Hex, Mcw, and McP files. - How does the system handle isolated relay control?
It uses a 4N25 opto-coupler interface card for isolated MOSFET relay control.


