Simple PIC Programmer for less than $1

PIC Programming requires a programmer as a hardware interface between the Computer and the Microcontroller. There's a variety of programmers such as Pickit 2 , 3 offered by microchip , other USB programmers..

But why getting anyone of these programmers while you still can make your own programmer for less than $1 and in no time.

Now this is my own version of the programmer i made using a few resistors and diodes:

Desktop Preview:

The programmer circuit and project is all here http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-JDM-PIC-Programmer/
Note that: this programmer has been tested and gave a very great results with high speed programming.

Monta Ghanmy

L293D DC Motor Driver : Quick Tutorial

DC Motor interfacing directly to microcontroller is not very practical specially that this may damage the microcontroller or it's just won't work because of the low voltage that it provides.

A good solution is to use an interface between our DC motor and the microcontroller: In our case we'll be dealing with the L293D IC from STmicroelectronics. This circuit offers the ability to control 2 DC motors in both clockwise and counter clockwise direction with a maximum voltage of 12V.

Simple Circuit:

How it works:

The integrated circuit got 4 input pins , each 2 are used to give the direction of the rotaion of the motor or whether it is off.
The VSS pin is for powering the IC with 5V , the VS is for power that goes directly to the motors and which can be in a range of 12V.
If we want for example to turn on a motor , it's enough to set a first input high and the other one low or the opposite (IN1 High , IN2 Low / IN1 Low, IN2 High) and the same as for the second motor .
Now if you want to turn off the motor all what you need is to set both of the inputs low or high in the same time. (IN1 High, IN2 High / IN1 Low, IN2 Low) .

Electronic samples : free resources for your projects!

Lots of microcontroller and electronic manufacturers offers some of their products for free for their customers.
It's called samples , and it differs from a manufacturer to another. They basically want to encourage and provide you with some free resources to finish your project and make a commercial product out of it.
You can get ICs , LEDs, motors, microcontrollers, developement boards..

To get samples you need to apply for some rules:

-You should have member with company and have an account on their website.
-You should give a brief and convincing description about your project and it's utility.
-You should not abuse asking for samples.
Links to manufacturers that offers free samples:

-Microchip
-Atmel
-Texas Instruments
-STmicroelectronics
-Freescale


Similar articles: http://www.instructables.com/id/Free_Electronic_Samples

Monta Ghanmy