Serial Voltmeter using the PIC16C71

Building a serial voltage meter to measure from 0 to 5 volts DC is straightforward. Utilizing MeLabs PicBasic and Microsoft Visual Basic Version 5 Pro is essential, as the MSComm control required for communication is not available in the Visual Basic 5 Learning Edition. The PIC16C71 microcontroller simplifies the process further by incorporating a built-in A/D converter. The analog inputs AIN0, AIN1, AIN2, and AIN3 are assigned to pins 17, 18, 1, and 2, respectively.

To construct a serial voltage meter, the following components and steps are necessary:

1. **Microcontroller Selection**: The PIC16C71 is selected for its integrated A/D converter, which allows for direct measurement of analog voltage levels. This microcontroller can effectively convert the input voltage into a digital signal that can be transmitted serially to a PC.

2. **Analog Input Configuration**: The microcontroller’s pins 17, 18, 1, and 2 will be configured as analog inputs (AIN0 to AIN3). These pins will receive the voltage signals that need to be measured. Proper configuration in the firmware is essential to ensure accurate readings from the A/D converter.

3. **Programming Environment**: MeLabs PicBasic will be used to write the firmware for the PIC16C71. This programming environment is user-friendly and allows for straightforward manipulation of the microcontroller's features, including the A/D converter.

4. **Serial Communication Setup**: Microsoft Visual Basic Version 5 Pro is required to develop the PC interface. The MSComm control in Visual Basic is crucial for establishing serial communication between the microcontroller and the PC. This control allows for the transmission of the measured voltage values from the microcontroller to the PC for display and analysis.

5. **Power Supply Requirements**: Ensure that the microcontroller is powered adequately, typically with a regulated supply of 5 volts. The voltage meter should also include filtering capacitors to stabilize the power supply and reduce noise in the measurements.

6. **Circuit Design**: The schematic will include the PIC16C71 connected to the analog inputs, with resistors as necessary for voltage division if higher voltages are to be measured. Additionally, a serial connection (RS-232 or USB) will be established to connect the microcontroller to the PC.

7. **Calibration**: After assembling the circuit, calibration is necessary to ensure that the voltage readings are accurate. This may involve comparing the measured values against a known standard and adjusting the software accordingly.

By following these steps and utilizing the specified components, a functional serial voltage meter capable of measuring DC voltages from 0 to 5 volts can be successfully built. The integration of hardware and software components will facilitate real-time data monitoring and analysis, making this project an excellent introduction to microcontroller applications in electronics.Building a serial voltage meter to measure from 0 to 5 volts DC is actually pretty easy. Using MeLabs PicBasic, and Microsoft`s Visual Basic Version 5 Pro. You need Visual Basic Pro version because you will have to use Basic`s MSComm control. This control is not available in the Visual Basic 5 Learning  Edition. The PIC16C71 simplifies the task even more by having a built in A/D converter. Pins 17, 18, 1, 2 are the analog inputs AIN0, AIN1, AIN2, AIN3 respectively. Disclaimer All files are found using legitimate search engine techniques. This site does not and will not condone hacking into sites to create the links it list. We will and do assume that all links found on the search engines we use are obtained in a legal manner and the webmasters are aware of the links listed on the search engines. If you find a URL that belongs to you, and you did not realize that it was "open to the public", please use the report button to notify the blogmaster of your request to remove it or it will remove within 24 hours.

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