Development of a computer aided learning tool for PIC microcontroller

Abstract

Microcontroller is now a days very important tool widely used in different fields of science and technology. Due to its enormous importance it is being accommodated in the curriculum of different branches of engineering and even it is being introduced to the students of the college and poly-technique college. In this circumstances Computer Aided Learning Tool (CALT) has been essential for teaching and learning of the microcontroller. Learning of PIC microcontroller is very easy due to its less number of instruction set. There are many types of microcontroller in the market. Among all of the microcontrollers PIC is most familiar. This projects presents the development of a CALT for teaching and learning PIC microcontroller. It has user friendly GUI for familiarizing the beginners with the PIC instruction sets with the help of graphical view. It provides them easy understanding and realization about the different instruction sets. Once the beginners are familiar with the PIC instruction then the CALT provides an interface with proteus simulator where they can design the circuits of microcontroller based projects and simulate the design. The simulation results further increases their interest to go to the physical circuits. The CALT helps to interface with a customized educational kits where they can develop the projects and see the action and results in reality. So the CALT brings the dream to the real life which sparks the interest of the students and beginners in microcontroller education which in turn motivates them to be the designer and implementer of real life complex projects.