Overview:

A pushbutton is a Mechanical Switch. Switches play an important and extensive role in practically every computer, microprocessor and microcontroller application. Mechanical switches are inexpensive, simple and reliable. However, switches can be very noisy electrically. When a switch, such as a pushbutton is pressed, the connection actually makes and breaks several, perhaps even hundreds, of times before the final switch state settles. The problem is known as switch bounce.

The consequences of uncorrected switch bounce can range from being just annoying to catastrophic.

A software technique called "Debouncing" is one way to solve this

[MPLAB X is a open source cross platform that is used to develop applications based on PIC micro controllers. MPLAB X IDE is similar to MPIDE except that compiling the code before running it is possible in MPLAB X. All the library functions and more supported by MPIDE are supported by MPLAB X IDE. In this section, you will be guided through step-by-step instructions on installing MPLAB X IDE and it's necessary XC compilers. Followed by, you can do a tutorial on Quick start blinky LED project to test and get acquainted with MPLAB X IDE which you have installed in your computer.]

OVERVIEW:

Here is a robot application that implements a very simple maze solving algorithm. This application uses off the shelf components along with a very basic chassis built from common materials. This could be a good weekend project. The robot chassis for this Demo was constructed with 2½" wide by ¼" thick poplar project wood purchased at a local home improvement center. Note that a box was also created to house the battery holder.

HARDWARE USED

• Sparkfun Ardumoto (Item #: DEV-09815): https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9815
• chipKIT Uno32 Development

We are pleased to announce the winners of the chipKIT Platform Design Contest.

Winning Entries

Level 1 Challenge

ck761 ROV Controller

Develop an original application using a chipKIT platform, an existing, known-working shield, and existing, known-working libraries. Participants will have the choice of using a chipKIT Max32, Uno32 or uC32 platform.

• $1500 USD credit for use on www.microchipdirect.com on any Microchip Technology Hardware or Software Development tool donated to the educational institution of the winner's choice

Max32

The chipKIT Max32™ is based on the popular Arduino™ open-source hardware prototyping platform but adds the performance of the Microchip PIC32 microcontroller. The Max32 is the same form factor as the Arduino™ Uno board and is compatible with many Arduino™ shields. It features a USB serial port interface for connection to the IDE and can be powered via USB or an external power supply.

The Max32 board takes advantage of the powerful PIC32MX795F512 microcontroller. This microcontroller features a 32-bit MIPS processor