Microcontrollers have become an extremely common and useful technology due to the widespread use and popularity of microprocessors. These little chips are everywhere now – from toasters and alarm clocks to smartphones and TVs. They are cost-effective and consume low power, which makes them the ideal choice for industries in the electronics sector.
Considering how fast the industry of electronics grows every year, it’s no surprise microcontroller engineers are always in high demand. But mastering microcontroller programming is not the easiest thing. And it may be time-consuming.
If you are swamped with your studies and don’t have time for any courses, writemy.com or essaywriters.org are always there to help. So, you can delegate your academic duties and focus on learning MC programming. Here are seven courses to help you with that.
“Complete PIC Microcontroller Course From Zero to Hero” – Udemy
This wonderful course was designed by SM Training Academy, mostly for beginners. Here you’ll learn how to program PIC microcontrollers with MPLAB X IDE and XC8 Compiler. You will get to know how to program the microcontroller from scratch using a datasheet approach and use this knowledge to create your own projects.
The course begins with the basics of microcontroller programming and hardware environment. It also covers programming all peripherals from scratch without using any libraries in MPLAB X IDE. It is intended for beginners who are interested in learning microcontrollers from the very beginning.
- Cost: $55
- Duration: ~9 hours
- Requirements: basic knowledge of electronics components and understanding of C programming; basic skills in building circuits from schematics
“Mastering Microcontroller Programming” – Udemy
With this course, you will delve into microcontrollers straight from the basics. This includes setting up the official Atmel Studio7 IDE, installing programming utilities, and connecting circuits in the easiest way possible. To simplify the hardware aspect at the start, the ATmega328 chip on the Arduino Uno board will be used for the course.
Over time, you will move to use the ATmega328 Xplained Mini evaluation kit and learn advanced debugging techniques. The course will also cover constructing mini-projects with the use of LEDs, switches, analog and digital sensors, IR sensors, relays, and other components. Though this course is not specifically about the PIC family, it offers a lot of useful information about MC programming in general.
- Cost: $45
- Duration: ~5 hours
- Requirements: none, but basic knowledge of C programming and electronics is a plus
“PIC Microcontroller and PCB Designing Step by Step” – Udemy
This is one of the top-rated courses on Udemy in the “PIC microcontrollers” section. Here, you will learn how to use EAGLE software to design PCBs, create your own PCBs using the iron on glossy paper method, as well as gain an understanding of Proteus and mikroC. You will explore the basics of C programming and will learn how to interface LEDs, LCDs, seven-segment displays, and ADC modules with a PIC microcontroller.
Additionally, the course includes simulation and hands-on experience with various microcontroller projects. The creator of the course claims that it’s perfect for beginners in microcontroller design and electronics in general.
- Cost: $20
- Duration: ~6 hours
- Requirements: downloaded software (most of it is free, but some may be paid, like MikroC)
“A Step-By-Step Guide to Microcontroller Interrupts” – Alison
This specific course may not be the best choice for the very beginners. As you may guess, it’s not about microcontrollers in general; it’s about interrupts in MCUs. It may be interesting for you if you know at least something about microcontrollers and PIC MCUs specifically.
During the course, you’ll learn how to define an interrupt, write code using MikroC, design circuits using Proteus software, understand the RCON Register and INTCON Register, use various types of interrupts in PIC18F and PIC16F microcontrollers, and examine different interrupt types such as RB4-7, External, and others.
- Cost: free
- Duration: ~4 hours
- Requirements: downloaded software (most of it is free, but some may be paid, like MikroC); a basic understanding of microcontrollers
“Let Us PIC: A Datasheet Approach for PIC Microcontroller” – Udemy
Whether you’re an engineering student or simply a DIY enthusiast, this course meets the needs of both. Students who wish to get a comprehensive understanding of MCUs will go through the basics to advanced levels. Plus, Udemy included this course in its collection of highly-rated courses trusted by businesses worldwide.
The topics covered include the use of GPIO pins of PIC microcontrollers working with interrupts, timers, and counters, configuring analog to digital converters (ADCs), generating PWM pulses, interfacing LCDs and keypads, and implementing various serial communication protocols such as UART, SPI, and I2C. Pretty substantial course.
- Cost: $60
- Duration: ~8 hours
- Requirements: none except for a bit of knowledge of C programming
“Basics of PIC18 Microcontroller” – Udemy
As you can see, this course is focused specifically on the PIC18 family. It will educate you on the basics of PIC18 Architecture, fundamental concepts of C programming in PIC18, and the setting up of timers and registers. The course includes basic simulations on MPLABx software, as well as information regarding programming and advanced interfaces such as Analog and Serial.
If you, by any chance, are interested specifically in PIC18, this may be just the course for you. The creator claims that this course is easy to understand for undergraduate and graduate students, hobbyists in electronics, and even suitable for professionals working in the electronics industry.
- Cost: $20
- Duration: ~5 hours
- Requirements: installed MPLAB X IDE; XC8 compiler
“Build 9 PIC Microcontroller Engineering Projects Today!” – Udemy
Though learning through theory and simulation is good, it’s only half as useful without proper practice. Connecting, wiring, and programming a real microcontroller is rather different from just simulating one. This course will teach you how to build a PIC-based project and what exactly makes a good microcontroller project.
Besides mastering new PIC Microcontroller skills, you’ll also get hands-on experience during the course. You’ll learn how to make sure your circuit works properly and build a fully functional PIC microcontroller yourself!
- Cost: $20
- Duration: ~7 hours
- Requirements: basic knowledge of electronic circuits, C programming, and circuit design
Conclusion
n conclusion, the field of microcontrollers has experienced significant growth and demand due to their widespread use in various industries. Mastering microcontroller programming can be a challenging and time-consuming task, but fortunately, there are online courses available to help individuals develop their skills.
Whether you are a beginner or have some knowledge in electronics and programming, these courses offer valuable insights and practical experience in PIC microcontroller programming. From comprehensive courses covering the fundamentals to specialized topics such as interrupts and PCB designing, there is something for everyone.
Additionally, for those who are unable to dedicate time to learning due to other commitments, paper writers for hire can provide assistance with academic tasks, allowing individuals to focus on acquiring MC programming skills. By taking advantage of these resources, you can enhance your understanding of microcontrollers and pave the way for a successful career in this rapidly evolving field.
