MicrocontrollersEngineering Science

Microcontrollers - Intro

Microcontrollers are used in a lot of systems that we use in every day life. Microwaves, Remote Controls, Xbox, PS3 etc

Microcontrollers are used to run programs. They can respond to one or more inputs and control the various outputs.

Microcontrollers - Intro

You have actually programmed a microcontroller several times in CDT…Remember Big Traks? Or the Yellow Cars?

Programming

Programming a microcontroller uses a code of numbers and letters that the microcontroller can read. Unfortunately, this is very difficult to understand, so we use a simple way of showing what the program should do

In order for us to program the microcontroller we use a “Flow Chart”

THE FOLLOWING INFO SHOULD BE WRITTEN IN YOUR JOTTER

Flowcharts - Symbols

All programs begin with the start symbol and usually end with the end symbol

Flowcharts - Symbols

Inputs are presented in a parallelogram box

Input

The process box is used when there is an instruction

to carry out. For example “wait 5 seconds”

Flowcharts - Symbols

The decision symbol is used when there is one or two

options. For example “Is the button pressed?” = Yes or No

Flowcharts - Symbols

Outputs are presented in a parallelogram box (same as

Inputs)

Output

Flowcharts - Symbols

Situation:Hand held printer to

record the temperature of food

Flowcharts - Examples

Flowcharts - Examples

Flowcharts – 1st Attempt

Situation:Alarm system in an empty

shop. When the movement sensor

is triggered, an automatic phone call should be made

to the police first, then alarm should go off, then shop lights should come on

Sensor On

Flowcharts – 2nd Attempt

Situation:Xbox / PS3 / PC

Make your own Flowchart to explain the process you go through to load a game.

To get you started, here are some example words/phrases you may want to use:

“Is Xbox on?”“Has eject button been pressed?”

“Laser reads disc”

Once you have completed your flowchart, write a description of what it is doing underneath it.

Flowcharts – 3rd Attempt

Situation:Bank Entry System

When RBS opens in the morning, there needs to be a member of staff there AND the manager. The manager needs to scan his I.D card, then

the member of staff needs to scan their I.D card in order for the front doors to be unlocked.

Design a flow chart that would show this

Once you have completed your flowchart, write a description of what it is doing underneath it.

Flowcharts – 4th Attempt

Situation:Design a Security System for your room

You might want things like LDR’s, Motion Sensors, Thermistors, Pressure Pads etc

How will the system be set? (key pad, switch, button etc)

Try to make your flowchart as detailed as possible to clearly show that you know what

you’re doing

Once you have completed your flowchart, write a description of what it is doing underneath it.