If you're an amateur robotics hobbyist ready to enjoy the challenge and the rewards of programming, there's no better coach than Myke Predko. He demonstrates how robot controllers are programmed using the versatile Microchip PICmicro Microcontroller, more specifically the PIC16F627/84.

Programming Robot Controllers

The focus of this book is on the least understood aspect of robot design: integrating multiple sensors and peripherals software that will work cooperatively and allow for a simple high-level control application.

Programming Robot Controllers is written in a clear, easy-to-understand style and explores the basic theory behind output devices, input devices/sensors, motor control, and how to integrate these devices.

To explain the concepts presented in the book, Myke uses off-the-shelf parts and a “C” programming language compiler that is included in the CD. The book also includes a simple PCB (dubbed “El Cheapo”) so that you can build your own robot and follow the examples in the text.

Programming Robot Controllers simplifies complex topics in a way that will save you hours of time searching through many other books and doing research on the Internet. Much of the content is scalable to any larger projects as well as different PIC processors.

Note: this is not a beginner's book. Some prior programming and electronics knowledge is assumed.

CD Contents:

  • PICMicro Instruction Set Reference
  • Selected PICMicro MCU datasheets
  • Microchip MPLAB software and documentation
  • “El Cheapo” programmer software and building instructions
  • PICC-Lite Compiler Software and documentation
  • Source code for sample applications
  • HTML links