Hi All:
I am getting started with PICs and I need a bit of advice.
My BKG:
I have programmed in assembly (C-64), Basic, Fortran, Vbasic, A bit of C++. I am familiar with digital electronics, and analog electronics. I design/prototype & fabricate finished boards and assemblies.
I have a USB oscilloscope, the bitscope 100 and a DMM.
I have ordered a starter pickit 2 (DV164120) with a 16f690 demoboard. I have also ordered a few crystals (4MHz thru 20Mhz), 7 segment displays and I have an assortment of LEDs, sensors, resistors pots etc. I have also ordered a hobby servomotor, a 40 pin ZIF socket, breadboard and a few pics, 16f54,12f675,16f676,16F628a,12F617. (Newark & Jameco).
I have 'THe PIC Microcontroller" by John Morton a personal intro to PICs.
Based of the above, have I missed out anything important in getting started? I want to be able to eventually produce PIC electronics with USB I/O and a windows GUI interface for parameter transfer. I want to produce standalone automotive controllers for things like boost control etc.
Any recommended reading or links?
I plan to use the book mentioned and go thru the projects as well as any interesting online projects first. Then to move up to more complex design etc. I figure I'll do the assembly type proggies first to get a grip on low overhead, time deterministic systems.
Is the Oshonsoft simulator a better bet than the MPLAB IDE?
I have concerns about parasitic oscillations emanating from the PCB's. Can anyone suggest resources on designing boards to minimise that problem?
Thanks for your interest.