Using the IDE simulator (Oshonsoft).

[DogFlu66]

Hi everyone!

We’re opening this special thread dedicated to sharing fully simulatable examples using the OshonSoft IDE, perfect for those who program in PIC Basic as well as for those who prefer working directly in assembler. The goal is to gather practices and projects that can be run entirely within the IDE’s built-in simulator, making the most of its powerful tools like the oscilloscope, virtual instruments, UART monitor, and other debugging aids that make OshonSoft a great platform for learning and rapid prototyping.

This thread aims to create a collaborative space where we can:

• Share functional and educational code examples.
• Demonstrate circuit behavior directly in the simulator.
• Explore debugging and step-by-step verification techniques.
• Fully leverage the IDE’s tools to understand how the microcontroller and its peripherals work.

It’s an ideal place for students, self-learners, and hobbyists who want to practice and learn without needing physical hardware.

Everyone is welcome to join!
Do you have an example to share? Want to simulate something but don’t know where to start? Jump in and let us know!

This thread is not intended to enter into a debate about which language or IDE is better, it is simply intended to have a fun time.

 

[DogFlu66]

First we need a common configuration for the system:

 

[DogFlu66]

I’m kicking things off with the recent addition of native support in version 5.83 of the compiler (in my case, for PIC18) for the PCF8574 I/O expander, which allows control of 16x2 and 20x4 LCDs via I2C communication. I'm including an example with the configuration setup and an image showing the result in the simulator.

I have added a function to be able to mix giant numbers on the display.

Code:

' PIC18F46K22 AND Lcd1602_I2C (PCF8574)
' By COS, 2025/04/16, PIC18 OSHONSOFT v5.83
' For simulation only.
' *************************************************************************************
' General configuration
#define CLOCK_FREQUENCY = 64 ' System clock frequency in MHz
#define SINGLE_DECIMAL_PLACES = 1 ' Number of decimal places for floating-point operations
#define STRING_MAX_LENGTH = 30 ' Maximum length for string variables
#define SIMULATION_WAITMS_VALUE = 0
' -------------------------------------------------------------------------
' -------------------------------------------------------------------------
' Main program
Main:
'**********************************************************************
AllDigital ' Set all pins to digital mode

' Set all ports as input
TRISA = 0xFF ' Set all PORTA pins as input
TRISB = 0xFF ' Set all PORTB pins as input
TRISC = 0xFF ' Set all PORTC pins as input
TRISD = 0xFF ' Set all PORTD pins as input
TRISE = 0xFF ' Set all PORTE pins as input
' ---------------------------------------------------------------------
' Initialize UART at 115200 baud rate (using RC6 for TX and RC7 for RX)
UART1_Init 115200
WaitUs 1 ' Delay for stabilization
' ---------------------------------------------------------------------
' Send initial message through UART
UART1_Write 0x0C ' ASCII control character to clear screen
WaitMs 100 ' Wait for 1 second
UART1_Write "Ready", CrLf ' Send "Ready" message with carriage return and line feed

#define LCD_LINES = 4
#define LCD_CHARS = 20
'#define I2CCLOCK_STRETCH = 10
#define LCD_MODE = lcdPCF8574
#define LCD_SDA = PORTC.4
#define LCD_SCL = PORTC.3
#define LCD_D7 = 7
#define LCD_D6 = 6
#define LCD_D5 = 5
#define LCD_D4 = 4
#define LCD_BL = 3
#define LCD_E = 2
#define LCD_RW = 1
#define LCD_RS = 0
#define LCD_ADDR = 7
WaitMs 50
lcdPCF_BLhigh
WaitMs 50

Lcdinit LcdCurOff
WaitMs 50

Lcdout "LCD 20x4 I2C PCF8574"
Lcdcmdout LcdLine4Home
Lcdout "0123456789-ABCDEFGHI"
WaitMs 500

'WaitMs 500
lcdPCF_BLlow
WaitMs 500
lcdPCF_BLhigh
WaitMs 2000
Lcdcmdout LcdCurOff

Lcd_Out(3, 1, "Load GCRAM.")

'User-defined characters (big number).
Lcddefchar 0, %11111, %11111, %11111, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 'Top horizontal bar.
Lcd_Out(3, 6, ".")
WaitMs 500
Lcddefchar 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, %11111, %11111, %11111 'Bottom horizontal bar.
Lcddefchar 2, %11111, %11111, %11111, 0, 0, 0, %11111, %11111 'Top and bottom horizontal bar.
Lcd_Out(3, 7, ".")
WaitMs 500
Lcddefchar 3, %11100, %11110, %11110, %11110, %11110, %11110, %11110, %11100 'Left column.
Lcddefchar 4, %00111, %01111, %01111, %01111, %01111, %01111, %01111, %00111 'Right column.
Lcd_Out(3, 8, ".")
WaitMs 500
Lcddefchar 5, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, %00011, %00111, %01111 'Bottom Right arrow.
Lcddefchar 6, %00011, %00111, %01111, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 'Top Right arrow.
Lcd_Out(3, 9, ".")
WaitMs 500
Lcddefchar 7, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, %11000, %11100, %11110 'Bottom Left arrow.
Lcd_Out(3, 10, ".")
WaitMs 500

Lcdcmdout LcdLine3Clear
Dim counter As Integer
counter = 0

While True
LCD_OutBigNum(2, 5, #counter + "ºC")
counter = counter - 1
WaitMs 100
Wend
End
'Function Lcd_Out(line, Xpos, String_Value)
Function Lcd_Out(Line As Byte, Xpos As Byte, txt[20] As String) As Bit
Lcd_PosXY(Xpos, Line)
Lcdout txt
End Function
'Function Lcd_PosXY(Xpos, Line)
Function Lcd_PosXY(Xpos As Byte, Line As Byte) As Bit
If Line = 0 Then Line = 1
If Line > 4 Then Line = 4
If Xpos = 0 Then Xpos = 1
Select Case Line
Case 1
Lcdcmdout LcdLine1Pos(Xpos)
Case 2
Lcdcmdout LcdLine2Pos(Xpos)
Case 3
Lcdcmdout LcdLine3Pos(Xpos)
Case 4
Lcdcmdout LcdLine4Pos(Xpos)
EndSelect
End Function
' **********************************************************************
' Function that enlarges the numeric characters of a string
' Limited string length, written for 2-line
' Line: LCD line.
' Xpos: Starting position to print on the LCD
' strChar: numeric string to write.
' Returns the next position to print (low line).
' *********************************************************************
Function LCD_OutBigNum(Line As Byte, Xpos As Byte, strChar[20] As String) As Byte
Dim data As Byte ' Mask
Dim index As Byte ' Index mask.
Dim xStr As Byte ' Character position of then string.
xStr = 0
While strChar(xStr) > 0
Lcd_PosXY(Xpos, Line) ' Lcd cursor position.
For index = 0 To 5 ' Upper and lower mask print control loop.

Select Case strChar(xStr)
' Numeric characters.
Case "0"
data = LookUp(4, 0, 3, 4, 1, 3), index '0
Case "1"
data = LookUp(6, 255, " ", 5, 255, 7), index '1
Case "2"
data = LookUp(6, 2, 3, 4, 1, 7), index '2
Case "3"
data = LookUp(6, 2, 3, 5, 1, 3), index '3
Case "4"
data = LookUp(4, 1, 255, " ", " ", 255), index '4
Case "5"
data = LookUp(4, 2, 0, 5, 1, 3), index '5
Case "6"
data = LookUp(4, 2, " ", 4, 1, 3), index '6
Case "7"
data = LookUp(6, 0, 3, " ", 255, " "), index '7
Case "8"
data = LookUp(4, 2, 3, 4, 1, 3), index '8
Case "9"
data = LookUp(4, 2, 3, " ", " ", 255), index '9

' Special characters.
Case "º"
Lcdout "o" 'º
Lcd_PosXY(Xpos, Line +1)
Lcdout " "
Xpos++
Exit For
Case "-"
Lcdout "_" '-
Lcd_PosXY(Xpos, Line +1)
Lcdout " "
Xpos++
Exit For
Case Else
Lcdout " "
Lcd_PosXY(Xpos, Line +1)
Lcdout strChar(xStr)
Xpos++
Exit For
EndSelect

'Write the numeric characters.
Lcdout data 'Print the current mask.
If index = 2 Then
Lcd_PosXY(Xpos, Line +1) 'Line change.
Xpos = Xpos + 3 'Position of the new digit.
Endif

Next index

xStr++ 'Next digit to print.
ReturnValue Xpos 'Return to the next position.

Wend
End Function