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PIC Training Course Extension
RF Data Link & Real Time Clock Library
New July 2009

Real Time Clock Library
Radio Frequency Data Links
House Light Switching with RF Links
Temperature Measurement with RF Links

For students with some PIC experience
With this extension we delve deeper into PIC assembler but use library routines to keep it simple. We flash LEDs using the PICs internal oscillator, use the keypad to select which LED is on, and write to the LCD. We experiment with simple time delays then use the PICs timer to create a precise delay. We experiment with the real time library routines and consider how to use real time to switch house lights to give the impression of being at home. We study the problems of using triacs to switch the lights and set up patterns to simulate realistic movements within the house. Lounge light on, go the the bathroom sequence, lounge light on again, go to the bathroom sequence, bedroom light on, all lights off. Then we consider how to use a radio frequency data link to control the lights. We study the principles of Manchester encoding and evaluate a simple reliable alternative system. Finally we experiment with measuring several temperatures using radio frequency data links to collect the temperature information from several measurement points.

This extension consists of one book and a set of three or four printed circuit boards which are used for the radio frequency experiments. This is suitable for students with some knowledge of programming PIC microcontrollers. You will need to own our P928 PIC training course before purchasing this extension. (A P31 edition of the book will be available in the near future).

The picture shows the fully wired house light switching PCB with the mains plug and light connected.
This is a close up of the house light switching PCB. This circuit is fully self contained with mains low voltage power supply, radio receiver module, PIC microcontroller to decode the switching instructions, and triac mains switching circuit.

This will normally be supplied as a kit which needs to be assembled and soldered.

RXHSE01-kit comprises:-
9 resistors
5 capacitors
3 diodes
4 LEDs
5V regulator
Optoisolated triac
High current triac
Various sockets
433Mhz radio receiver module
PIC16F672A microcontroller
Blank printed circuit board

Order code RXHSE01-kit............... £18.00 each

Can be supplied assembled:-
Order code RXHSE01-built............ £26.00 each

Blank PCB (plated through)........... £ 4.80 each

(Uses 433Mhz band which is allocated for UK and Europe but not USA)
This picture shows the radio transmitter circuit with its back up battery pack. This PCB has no provision to hold the microcontroller. It is designed to be plugged onto another PCB which will contain the microcontroller and a display.

This will normally be supplied as a kit which needs to be assembled and soldered.

TXHSE01-kit comprises:-
3 resistors
3 capacitors
2 diodes
5V regulator
2 push button switches
2 slide switches (normal + miniature)
Various sockets and plugs
433Mhz radio transmitter module
Blank printed circuit board

Order code TXHSE01-kit......................... £12.00 each

600 mA/h backup battery........................ £ 4.30 each

Can be supplied assembled with 600 mA/h battery:-
Order code TXHSE01-built...................... £21.00 each

Blank PCB (plated through)..................... £ 3.00 each

UK 3V - 12V unreg 0.5A PSU.................. £ 8.00 each
This shows the full system needed for the house light transmitter. We are using the Brunning Software PIC slave (BSPslave) as the main PCB. The transmitter PCB takes its power from the plugtop power supply and passes this power onto the main PCB. The PIC in the main PCB is programmed with a real time clock and programmed with a suitable pattern of light switching.

(The GPIC21 PCB which is part of the P31 training course can be used instead of the BSPslave).

The back up battery contains three rechargeable cells which are trickle charged from the power supply. In the event of a mains failure even for many hours the real time clock will keep true time and when the power is restored the correct house lights will come on.

The transmitter software is arranged to control up to four receiver circuits but the software can easily be modified to control any number of receiver circuits.

The slide switch at the front of the transmitter PCB is used to switch between normal lights and controlled lights. This allows the system to be permanently installed. When the lights are not being radio controlled they operate normally. When switched on they come on and stay on until until switched off or until the correct encoded radio signal is received.

A blank BSPslave PCB with just the essential components for this project can be bought:-
Blank slave PCB with essential components......... £ 9.50
LCD assembly................................................... £ 9.00

Can be supplied assembled with LCD:-
Assembled part built BSPslave with LCD............. £22.00

Blank PCB (single sided).................................... £ 4.20

Experimenting with PIC Microcontrollers Book 2... £25.00

Mainland UK postage is £10.00 per order.

This extension of our PIC training course will only be sold to customers who purchase or already own one of our our PIC training courses.

CD of latest software (purchased on its own)....... £20.00
Latest Control PIC (purchased on its own).......... £20.00
This picture shows two temperature transmitters on the right and the temperature receiver on the left.

Each temperature transmitter has an 8 pin PIC with analogue to digital converter and is powered by the 3 volt coin cell. The software uses the sleep mode with watchdog wakeup to reduce the consumption to a very low level. The raw temperature data is transmitted about once every one and a half seconds.

The temperature receiver has the same PCB circuits as used for the house light transmitter but the circuits in this picture have been wired with the minimum number of components. The same circuits used in the picture above could be used (with different software) by fitting a radio receiver instead of the radio transmitter.

The temperature transmitters will normally be supplied as a kit which needs to be assembled and soldered.

THERM01-kit comprises:-
1 resistor
1 capacitor
1 thermistor
8 pin socket
4 pin socket
coin cell holder
Various sockets
PIC12F675
433Mhz radio transmitter module
CR2032 coin cell battery
Blank printed circuit board

Order code THERM01-kit..................... £12.00 each

Can be supplied assembled:-
Order code THERM01-built.................. £15.00 each

Blank PCB (plated through).................. £ 1.90 each
To use this extension you will need to own or to purchase our P928 or P31 training course. A P31 edition of the book will be available in the near future.

Note that the radio transmitters and receivers use the 433Mhz band which is legal for use in the UK and Europe but cannot be used legally in the USA.

Prices:-

If you already have our P928 or P31 training course you will just need to purchase the new book, pack of Rx/Tx radio circuits, and up to date software to perform the radio experiments. The contents of the RxTx01 kit are listed in the right hand column.

Book: Experimenting with PIC Microcontrollers Book 2.............. £25.00

Pack of Rx and Tx radio circuits order code RxTx01-kit............. £51.00
Pack of Rx and Tx radio circuits order code RxTx01-built........... £79.00
(Assembled RxTx pack includes 600 mAh backup battery)

CD of latest software (purchased with book and kit)................... £10.00

If as well as learning to programme PICs you also want to build a realistic light switching system for your house you will need another two or three of the radio receiver light switching PCBs, and a backup battery:-

Light switching receiver kit. Order code RxHse01-kit............... £18.00 each
Light switching receiver built. Order code RxHse01-built.......... £26.00 each

600 mA/h backup battery. Order code BUB06........................ £ 4.30 each

You may also like to purchase 1, 2 or 3 more temperature transmitter circuits:-
Temperature transmitter kit. Order code THERM01-kit............ £12.00 each
Temperature transmitter built. Order code THERM01-built....... £15.00 each

If your PIC training course was not bought recently you may also need:-
Latest control PIC BSPICH0A (purchased with book + kit)....... £12.00

UK postage + ins. 1kgm: £5.00. 1.5kgm £7.00. 1.5+kgm: £10.00


For more information about update options click here. 		Pack of Rx and Tx Radio circuits comprising:-
1 off light switching receiver PCB (blank)
1 off light data transmitter PCB (blank)
1 off temperature transmitter PCB (blank)
1 off BSPslave PCB (blank)
Pack of essential components for each PCB.
1 off LCD assembly
1 off radio transmitter module
1 off radio receiver module
1 off PIC16F627A
1 off PIC18F2321
1 off PIC12F675

Order code RxTx01-kit................ £51.00

Can be supplied assembled:-
Order code RxTx01-built.............. £79.00
(Built RxTx pack includes 600 mAh backup battery)

(Uses 433Mhz band which is allocated for UK and Europe but not USA)
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