Microcontrollers Engineering 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 – 1 st 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 – 2 nd 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 – 3 rd 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 – 4 th 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.