Copyright © 2008, Wimborne Publishing Ltd

(Sequoia House, 398a Ringwood Road, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 9AU, UK)
and TechBites Interactive Inc.,
(PO Box 857, Madison, Alabama 35758, USA)

All rights reserved.

The materials and works contained within EPE Online — which are made available by 
Wimborne Publishing Ltd and TechBites Interactive Inc — are copyrighted. 

TechBites Interactive Inc and Wimborne Publishing Ltd have used their best efforts in preparing these materials and works. However, TechBites 
Interactive Inc and Wimborne Publishing Ltd make no warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, with regard to the documentation or data 
contained herein, and specifically disclaim, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. 
 
Because of possible variances in the quality and condition of materials and workmanship used by readers, EPE Online, its publishers and agents 
disclaim any responsibility for the safe and proper functioning of reader‐constructed projects based on or from information published in these 
materials and works. 

om
 
In no event shall TechBites Interactive Inc or Wimborne Publishing Ltd be responsible or liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial 
damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or any other damages in connection with or arising out of furnishing, 
performance, or use of these materials and works. 

.c
 
READERS’ TECHNICAL ENQUIRIES 
ag
We are unable to offer any advice on the use, purchase, repair or modification of commercial equipment or the incorporation 
or modification of designs published in the magazine. We regret that we cannot provide data or answer queries on articles or 
projects that are more than five years’ old. We are not able to answer technical queries on the phone. 
m
PROJECTS AND CIRCUITS 
pe

All reasonable precautions are taken to ensure that the advice and data given to readers is reliable. We cannot, however, 
guarantee it and we cannot accept legal responsibility for it. A number of projects and circuits published in EPE employ voltages 
.e

that can be lethal. You should not build, test, modify or renovate any item of mains‐powered equipment unless you fully 
understand the safety aspects involved and you use an RCD adaptor. 
w

COMPONENT SUPPLIES 
w

We do not supply electronic components or kits for building the projects featured; these can be supplied by advertisers in our 
publication Practical Everyday Electronics. Our web site is located at www.epemag.com 
w

We advise readers to check that all parts are still available before commencing any project. 

 
To order you copy for only $18.95 for 12 issues go to www.epemag.com 
 PIC-GEN FREQUENCY GENERATOR/
COUNTER by JOHN BECKER
Add even more versatility to your workshop facilities. Prior to the introduction of
the MAX038, arguably the main
contender for the most widely
Combining the sophisticated The PIC is also used as a used function generator was the
features of a Maxim MAX038 frequency counter, switch 8038, manufactured by various
waveform generator and a selectable to monitor the companies under different prefix
PIC16F877 microcontroller has frequency generated by the codings, such as ICL8038 and

om
resulted in a highly versatile and MAX038, or from an external XR8038, for instance.
inexpensive workshop tool whose source in conjunction with a pre- The 8038 is still widely used
facilities have hitherto been conditioning waveform shaper but it has limitations in the
unattainable without considerable and frequency divider. Two maximum frequency that can be

.c
design complexity. external signal inputs are generated. The range is typically
provided: one for 0V to 5V logic 0××001Hz to 100kHz.
The MAX038 is a high-
frequency precision function
ag
level waveforms, the other for
AC waveforms having a peak- The MAX038, however, is
generator whose output is to-peak swing of between about stated to have an upper
selectable to produce triangle, frequency limit of at least
m
2V to 5V. The prototype can
sine and square waveforms, monitor frequencies in excess of 20MHz, and possibly around
within a wide operating frequency 40MHz. 40MHz. It has to be said,
pe

span of 0××1Hz to over 10MHz, split though, that attaining such high
in the PIC-Gen as eight frequencies requires printed
overlapping frequency ranges. MAX038 FUNCTION circuit board design and
.e

Range and waveform selection GENERATOR construction techniques

are performed by the PIC16F877 normally found only in
in response to pushbutton switch In EPE September ’96, commercial manufacturing
w

controls. Frequency is fully Andy Flind first introduced establishments.

variable within the selected range readers to the merits of the then
The upper frequency limit of
w

by means of a front panel control newly introduced MAX038

waveform generator, in a special the device is dependent not only
potentiometer. on very accurate control of the
w

feature article of the same

An alphanumeric liquid crystal current flowing into its frequency
name. He followed it up with a
module displays the frequency setting inputs, but also on the
full constructional article, the
and range information. capacitance associated with
10MHz Function Generator, in
Four frequency outputs are October ’96. them. Maxim state in their data
provided: sheet, for instance, that the
o) Direct output at ±1V peak-
to-peak
o) AC coupled output, fully
variable between zero and
4V peak-to-peak
o) Pulse output, 0V to 5V
logic level
o) 3××2768MHz fixed
frequency, 0V to 5V logic
level

Copyright © 2000 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, July 2000 - www.epemag.com - 518
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 Constructional Project
specified upper frequency limit Sept/Oct ’96 articles. 10pF will be seen by the MAX038
is achieved when the timing In the PIC-Gen design, the as a value higher than this due to
capacitance is less than or controls used are those that set the (unpredictable) capacitance of
equal to 15pF and the control frequency and waveform shape. the circuit in proximity to the C
current is 500uA. The eight frequency ranges are OSC pin. Capacitor C11 could be
set according to the capacitance omitted if you want to try
Unfortunately, on a PCB
value connected to the device’s increasing the maximum
designed for successful
C OSC pin. Fine tuning of the frequency attainable.
assembly by the average
hobbyist, the capacitance frequency is performed by Pushbutton switches S1 and
between the MAX038, other varying the current provided by S2 cause the PIC to step the
components and the tracks is potentiometer VR1 to the I IN frequency range down or up
likely to prevent the maximum pin. (respectively) on a continuous 8-
frequency from being reached. Resistor R2 limits the step loop.
The prototype PIC-Gen maximum current that can flow, Nominally, the capacitor
described here achieves a while R1 sets the minimum values have been chosen to
maximum of just over 10MHz. current. provide a factor of ten difference

om
between each step. Normal
manufacturing tolerances apply to
PIC-GEN CONCEPT FREQUENCY these values, especially with the
Considering how the SELECTION electrolytic capacitors.

.c
MAX038 might be put under Potentiometer VR1 provides a
semi-automatic control as part Eight capacitors are used to
set the frequency ranges, C11 to frequency control range of about 1
of a frequency generator and ag to 50. For example, if the
counter system, the author C18. These are commonly
connected at one end to the C minimum current flow through
recognized that a PIC16F877 VR1 and R2 causes a frequency
microcontroller might provide OSC pin (5). Capacitors C12 to
of 1kHz, then maximum current
m
the key. This device has five C18 have their other ends
connected individually to port flow will cause 50kHz to be
input-output ports which, it generated. The range may be
pins of the PIC microcontroller,
pe

seemed, could possibly provide shortened by increasing the value

automated switching of the IC5. For PCB layout
convenience these pins were of R1, although this will raise the
frequency range capacitors, lowest frequency that can be
selection of the waveform chosen to be RB1 to RB5, RD6
.e

and RD7. Capacitor C11 is attained.

shape, offer frequency counting
and provide an output to a liquid permanently connected to the
w

0V line.
crystal display. WAVEFORM
Normally, the above seven
Doing a basic mock-up on SELECTION
w

stripboard coupled to a PIC pins are set as inputs to the PIC.

roughly programmed to perform In this condition, they are PIC-Gen provides selection of
w

the bare essentials proved the effectively held in an open-circuit three waveform shapes, Sine,
viability of the idea. The concept state, the PIC inputs having a Triangle and Square.
was then given full flesh and very high impedance. As such, Selection is made according
bones to become the design the MAX038 ignores those to the binary code placed on the
whose circuit diagram is given in capacitors. MAX038’s A0 and A1 inputs. The
Fig.1. To bring one of the seven code is controlled by the PIC, via
The MAX038 function port controlled capacitors into its RB6 and RB7 pins, as follows:
generator is shown as IC2. It will circuit, the PIC has the
appropriate pin set as an output A1 A0 WAVEFORM
be seen that half the pins are 0 0 Square
grounded and from some of held at logic 0 (0V). With a
higher capacitance value 0 1 Triangle
their notations it will probably be 1 x Sine
(correctly) deduced that the selected, so the lower the output
device has more functions than frequency from IC2. where x = don’t care
are used here. For information For the highest frequency Pushbutton switch S4 causes
about the device’s full range of range, capacitor C11 is the the PIC to step through the three
functions, see its data sheet controlling component. Note, waveform codes on a repeating
(details later) or Andy Flind’s though, that its nominal value of
Copyright © 2000 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, July 2000 - www.epemag.com - 519
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 Constructional Project
Note that IC6’s Q12 output
is the final one in its counting
sequence. This changes state at
1/4096 of the input frequency
and even at high input rates the
PIC is able to monitor this pin.
Each time the pin changes
state, the PIC registers the fact
Typical LCD display showing that a square and increments an internal
wave is being generated and that a frequency counter.
count of 3,706,286Hz has been read on range
At regular intervals,
7 during the normal 1-second sampling period. selectable for one or ten
cycle. seconds by switch S3 (Sample
FREQUENCY Time), the full 12-pin sequence
The selected waveform is
output at IC2 pin OUT and has a
COUNTER of IC6’s outputs is read and a
frequency value calculated
fixed amplitude of ±1V, Whilst a PIC can be
according to this value and that

om
symmetrical about 0V. The programmed to act as a
of the internal counter. Once the
output has a very low frequency counter simply by
reading has been taken, the
impedance (typically 0××1W) and monitoring one input pin, the
internal and IC6 counters are
can be used directly via socket maximum frequency that can be
reset (the latter via PIC pin RD4)

.c
SK5. monitored by this method is
prior to the next batch of
severely limited. To enable very
The same waveform is counting.
high frequency signals to be
amplified by the non-inverting
ag
counted by the PIC-Gen, a pre- Frequencies in excess of
opamp circuit around IC3a. The counter is used and the output 40MHz have been recorded on
gain is set at x2, resulting in an from that is monitored at regular, the author’s prototype.
m
output swing of ±2V. Capacitor but slower intervals.
C3 provides DC isolation of the
The pre-counter is IC6, a FREQUENCY INPUT
pe

output and potentiometer VR2

provides full control over the 74HC4040 12-stage ripple
counter. Its outputs are fed into There are three sources
amplitude output at socket SK3, from which the signal to be
from zero to maximum. PIC pins RC0 to RC7 and RD0
.e

to RD3. It will be seen in Fig.1 counted can be input, as

It should be noted that the that the PIC’s pin order use described presently. All three
TL082 used as IC3a does not finally arrive at counter IC6 via
w

relative to the output pin order of

permit the full frequency rage of the counter does not match. the Schmitt trigger NAND gate
the MAX038 to be amplified and This is intentional to simplify the IC7a. Immediately prior to
w

output. In the prototype, a PCB design, allowing software reading the contents of IC6, the
maximum of about 1MHz is to interpret the input values as PIC sets pin RD5 low, so turning
w

experienced, after which the correct binary numbers. off gate IC7a and preventing
amplitude progressively falls. further input signals from
Other opamps which have
higher frequency capabilities are
available but no
recommendation is offered on
this point.
Readers should be aware
that whilst some opamps may
seem to offer very high
frequency capabilities according
their data sheets, other factors
(also quoted) can affect the
range and must be taken into
account. PIC-Gen front panel. The waveform button is bottom far right.
The switch marked “pulse” (top right) is the on/off switch in the
final model.
Copyright © 2000 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, July 2000 - www.epemag.com - 520
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 Constructional Project
reaching the counter. This Logic level signals either above or below the 0V/5V
allows the ripple-nature of the (nominally 0V to 5V) are input to range should not be input to
counter to stabilize (ripple the PIC-Gen via socket SK1 socket SK1. Those having
through) at the correct count (Logic Input), switch S5 lesser swings may not trigger
value. Software introduces a selecting their routing to gate gate IC7a, those having swings
slight delay between closing the IC7a and the counter. Signals greater than about 6V could kill
gate and taking the reading. having other voltage ranges, it.

om
.c
ag
m
pe
.e
w
w
w

Fig.1. Full circuit diagram for the PIC-Gen Frequency generator and Counter.
Copyright © 2000 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, July 2000 - www.epemag.com - 521
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 Constructional Project
Signals which are analog or
digital and have a swing range
less than 5V, but greater than
about 2V to 2××5V, are input via
socket SK2 (AC Input). Switch
S6 selects their routing to the
pre-conditioning circuit around
IC7c. This is another Schmitt
trigger NAND gate, having one This display shows a sine wave is being generated and a
input (pin 13) held biassed at a frequency of 25,124Hz has been registered via range 4.
mid-power line level (2××5V) by
the potential divider formed by instability occurred when this selected (sine, triangle or
resistors R8 and R9. The other was generated (as cautioned in square).
input (pin 12) is held at +5V. Maxim’s data sheet). o) Line 1 mid/right:
Consequently, the option to use frequency value.
The input signal is AC this output has been dropped
coupled via C10 to the biased from the published PIC-Gen o) Line 2 left: frequency

om
input of the gate. Providing the (although the connection tracks range selected (8
input signal’s peak-to-peak on the PCB have been choices).
range is greater than the gate’s retained). o) Line 2 mid/right:
hysteresis value (which varies
sampling range selected

.c
slightly between individual
(2 choices).
devices), so the gate will be 3·2768MHz OUTPUT
triggered. The LCD is shown as X2 in
The output of this gate is
ag
The PIC is run at a
frequency of 3××2768MHz, as set Fig.1. It is under standard 4-bit
also fed to switch S5, which control, but whereas many PIC
by crystal X1. Although this
routes it to the counter via IC7a projects control it via PIC Port B,
m
frequency can be tapped directly
when selected. here it is controlled via Port A
from PIC pin OSC2, it was
(RA0 to RA5). Apart from the
Because the main output deemed better to buffer it via
pe

change of PIC port register

signal from the MAX038 has a gate IC7b before releasing it to
number, the software routine
peak-to-peak swing of ±1V, it the outside world through socket
that drives the LCD is the
too has to be pre-conditioned via SK4. The output is a 5V square
.e

author’s usual “library” routine.

IC7c before its frequency can be wave.
counted, the routing also being It is worth noting, though,
w

selected by switches S6 and S5, that because Port A RA4 is an

respectively.
DISPLAY MODULE open-collector pin, resistor R7
has to be used to bias it high in
w

As is common with so many

recent EPE Online PIC projects, order to correctly control LCD
LOGIC OUTPUT pin D5.
w

an alphanumeric liquid crystal

The output from IC7c is display (LCD) is used. This The LCD screen contrast is
additionally fed to socket SK7 shows the frequency count and adjustable by preset VR3.
allowing, for example, the sampling rate, plus the
frequency generated by the generated waveform selected
MAX038 to be used as a 5V and its frequency range (as a POWER SUPPLY
square wave (irrespective of number between 0 and 7, where It is intended that the PIC-
which waveform is being 0 is the lower frequency range). Gen should be powered at 9V,
generated), or for the a.c. signal The information displayed takes either from a 9V battery or a 9V
to be converted to 5V pulses a form similar to: mains power supply (in fact,
(whose width depends on the input supply voltages between
nature of the signal). SINE 25124Hz
about 7V and 12V are
Whilst the MAX038 has its Range4 Time1 sec acceptable). Regulator IC5
own 5V square wave available drops and stabilizes the input
where: supply at 5V. This powers IC3,
at the SYNC pin (when pin +DV
is held high), it was found that o) Line 1 left: waveform IC5 to IC7, and the LCD. These
devices must not be powered

Copyright © 2000 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, July 2000 - www.epemag.com - 522
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 Constructional Project
COMPONENTS
Resistors See also the
R1 470 ohms
R2, R4, R5, R7, R10 to R13 10k (8 off) SHOP TALK Page!
R3 10 ohms
R6 1k
R8, R9 100k (2 off)
Potentiometers
VR1 10k panel mounting rotary
or multi-turn linear (see text)
VR2 10k panel mounting rotary lin.
VR3 10k miniature preset, round
Capacitors
C1 to C3, C18 to C24 100u radial
electrolytic, 16V (5 off)
C4, C10 22u radial electrolytic, 10V (2
off)

om
C5, C7, C15, C19 to C23 100n
ceramic disk, 5mm pitch (8 off)
C6, C16 1u radial electrolytic, 10V (2 off)
C8, C9, C11 10p ceramic disk,
5mm pitch (3 off)

.c
C12 100p ceramic disk, 5mm pitch
C13 1n ceramic disk, 5mm pitch ag
C14 10n ceramic disk, 5mm pitch
C17 10u radial electrolytic, 10V
Semiconductors
D1 1N4148 signal diode
m
IC1 MAX660 DC-to-DC converter
IC2 MAX038 function generator
IC3 TL082 dual opamp Completed prototype PCB. Differs
pe

IC4 78L05 +5V voltage regulator

IC5 PIC16F877-4P microcontroller (pre-programmed -- see text) slightly from final model.
IC6 74HC4040 12-stage binary ripple counter
IC7 74HC132 quad dual-input Schmitt NAND gate supply is inverted to become –
.e

IC8 79L05 -5V voltage regulator 9V.

Miscellaneous The MAX660 has a much
w

S1 to S4 s.p. push-to-make switch (4 off) greater output load capability

S5 to S7 s.p.d.t. miniature toggle switch (3 off)
X1 3.2768MHz crystal
than the more familiar ICL7660
w

X2 2-line 16-character (per line) LCD module (see text) (and similar) devices, typically
about 100mA as compared with
20mA. ONLY the MAX660
w

PCB available from the EPE Online Store (code 7000268) at www.epemag.com.
knob (2 off); 8-pin DIL socket (2 off); 14-pin DIL socket; 16-pin DIL socket; 20-pin should be used in the PIC-Gen.
DIL socket; 40-pin DIL socket; 1mm pin header strips (see text); 1mm terminal
pins; It had been expected that
2mm socket (7 off, various colors) (or sockets to suit other equipment); plastic the MAX660 could have been
case, powered by the 5V regulated
205mm x 108mm x 57mm; plastic feet for case (4 off); PCB mounting supports
supply from IC4, producing –5V
(4 off); PP3 battery and clip, or socket to suit external power supply (see text);
as a result. However, the first
Approx.
connecting Cost
Guidance Only
wire; cable ties; solder, etc. case, batts)
(Excluding $90 test model of the PIC-Gen
showed significant instability in
within the PIC-Gen circuit at any the frequency generated when
around IC1 and IC8.
other voltages (normal power this method was used.
supply tolerances apply). IC1 is a MAX660 voltage Investigation showed that the
converter, used here to ripple frequency output by the
The 5V supply is also used generate a negative voltage of MAX660 could not be
by the MAX038, but this device the same (inverse) magnitude dampened sufficiently to prevent
additionally requires a supply of as the voltage at which it is it from modulating the MAX038
–5V. A double-staged circuit is powered. In this instance, the 9V frequency output.
used for this purpose, based
Copyright © 2000 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, July 2000 - www.epemag.com - 523
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 Constructional Project
Consequently, it was found
necessary to first generate –9V
and then to regulate and
stabilize it down to –5V using
IC8, a negative voltage
regulator. Further smoothing is
given by the use of resistor R3
and capacitors C23 and C24.
A small instability remains,
believed to be due to the
MAX066’s square wave
oscillator radiating into other
parts of the circuit (an
oscilloscope probe on a range of
10mV just picks up the signal
when held near to the device).
The instability is principally

om
noticeable at higher MAX038
frequencies.

.c
PROGRAMMING
CONNECTIONS ag
As is customary with the
author’s recent PIC projects, the
PIC device used in this circuit
m
can be programmed in-situ on
the printed circuit board. The
pe

usual four connections are

provided, ~MCLR (Vpp), DATA,
CLK, and 0V, accessible via
.e

connector TB2, whose

connections are in the same
now-familiar order. Diode D1
w

and resistor R6 are part of the

required control configuration.
w

The EPE PIC Toolkit Mk2 (May/

June ’99) is an ideal
w

programmer to use.

MISCELLANY
Resistors R10 to R13 are
pull-down resistors to
appropriately bias the respective
PIC input pins when switches S1
to S4 are not pressed. NAND Fig.2. PIC-Gen PCB component layout and (approximately)
gate IC7d has its inputs biassed full-size copper foil master pattern. The numbers at the ends of
to a power line (+5V in this the lead-off wires should terminate at identical points on the
case) as is required for unused front panel (Fig.3).
CMOS gates. Opamp IC3b had
been intended for use as an provided cleaner signal control, count signals having a peak-to-
external analog input amplifier, and at a far higher frequency. peak value less than about 2V,
but it was decided that the they should pre-amplify them
If users need to frequency-
configuration around IC7c first.
Copyright © 2000 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, July 2000 - www.epemag.com - 524
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 Constructional Project

Fig.3. Layout and wiring to the front panel (full size) mounted components. The inset panels
show wiring to a multiturn pot and suggested wire groupings.

om
Only the HC versions of IC6 of a 74LS132 should allow capacitors are used throughout
and IC7 should be used lesser amplitude external the circuit at strategic points on
(74HC4040 and 74HC132). signals to be input to the the PCB.
These are typically capable of frequency counter, typically

.c
handling signals in excess of having a peak-to-peak swing of
40MHz. The “standard” CMOS about 0××8V, although this has not
ag CONSTRUCTION
4040 counter is far too slow to been tried. Details of the component
be usable in this circuit. The use and track layouts for the PIC-
Numerous smoothing
m
pe
.e
w
w
w

Layout of components and wiring inside the case of the completed prototype PIC-Gen.
There are very minor differences between this and the final wiring diagrams.
Note the various wiring “looms”.
Copyright © 2000 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, July 2000 - www.epemag.com - 525
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 Constructional Project
Gen PCB are shown in Fig.2.
This board is available from the
EPE Online Store (code
7000268) at www.epemag.com
The author’s preferred
assembly is in order of link wires
(some go under IC positions), IC When the sampling rate change switch is pressed,
sockets, resistors, diode, small the word “counting” is displayed until the first new
capacitors, and remaining count has been completed. In this instance a 10-
components in ascending order
second sampling rate has been selected.
of size. Do not insert the DIL
(dual-in-line) ICs at this stage. Table 1: PIC16F877 configuration bits.
Ensure that all polarized
components are orientated as CP1 CP0 DBG NIL WRT CPD LVP BOR CP1 CP0 POR WDT OS1 OS0
1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1
shown in Fig.2.
Pin-header strips were used

om
for terminal groups TB1 and of signals interacting with each converter IC1 and check that a
TB2. The order of these other through the interwiring, negative voltage equivalent to
connections is identical to that several “harness” groups were the applied power supply is
used in the author’s recent PIC used, keeping potentially present at it’s output (i.e. –9V for

.c
projects. Details of the source interactive signal paths apart as a +9V supply). Check that –5V
for the LCD module complete seemed reasonable. The groups
ag is present at the output of
with matching connector are can be seen in the photograph, regulator IC8 and at the pin 20
given on this month’s Shoptalk and they are itemized by position of the socket for IC2.
page. connection number in the If all is satisfactory, the
second insert of Fig.3.
m
The prototype PIC-Gen is remaining ICs and the LCD can
housed in a plastic case Several cable ties are used be inserted. Only one LCD line
to keep each group separately will be active until the PIC is
pe

measuring 205mm x 108mm x

57mm. The layout and harnessed. running. Adjust preset VR3 until
interwiring of the off-board the active pixels are seen as
components on the rear of the slightly darkened rectangles, or
.e

case’s front panel are shown in

CHECK-OUT the displayed text is clearly
Fig.3. The illustration is to scale. During the checking-out of visible if the PIC is running.
w

(Note that the photographs show the circuit, power should always If not already programmed,
slightly different panel wiring to be switched off before inserting the PIC can have its program
w

that in Fig.3.) ICs or making other alterations. downloaded to it on the PIC-Gen

A choice of frequency Switch off immediately if the board from a suitable PIC
w

control potentiometer is offered. circuit does not behave as programmer, connecting the
The illustration in Fig.3 shows expected, rechecking your programmer via pin header TB2.
the connections for VR1 as a assembly for errors.
The PIC configuration
standard single-turn carbon Assuming that you have (initialization) required is the PIC
rotary potentiometer. The inset thoroughly checked that you Toolkit Mk2 default as shown in
shows the typical connections have not made assembly or Table 1.
for a multiturn (10-turn in the soldering errors, the first check
should be with the LCD and all Once programmed, the PIC
prototype) wirewound
ICs omitted except the two should immediately start running
potentiometer.
regulators IC4 and IC8. and a set of data similar to that
The standard pot is the least previously discussed should be
expensive choice but does not With power applied, check seen. Set switches S5 and S6
allow the same degree of that +5V is present at the output so that the frequency being
frequency setting precision as of IC4 and at strategic points generated by IC2 is being
the more-expensive multiturn around the PCB (referring to monitored. Observe the results
pot. both Fig.1 and Fig.2). when different waveforms,
To minimize the possibility Insert the negative voltage frequency ranges and sampling
rates are selected using
Copyright © 2000 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, July 2000 - www.epemag.com - 526
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 Constructional Project
switches S1 to S4 and with the and switch S5 to minimize the Data sheets for the MAX038
frequency control potentiometer risk of IC7a becoming and MAX660 can be
VR1 at various settings. distressed by negative-going or downloaded from Maxim’s web
If you have an oscilloscope, over-voltage signals.) site at www.maxim-ic.com
monitor the waveforms output at Once fully checked, the PIC- Data sheets for the
all settings and from all panel Gen is ready to be put into PIC16F877 (and other PIC
outputs. Additionally check the general workshop use. products) can be downloaded
two inputs, using an external from Microchip’s web site at
signal generator. Outputs Out www.microchip.com
Direct and AC Out should only RESOURCES
be fed into the AC Input (do not The software for the PIC-
feed them into the Logic Input Gen is available for free
because of their negative-going downloaded from the EPE
content). Obline library at
(You may prefer to insert a www.epemag.com. The
1k resistor between socket SK1 program is written in TASM.

om
.c
ag
m
pe
.e
w
w
w

Copyright © 2000 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, July 2000 - www.epemag.com - 527
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc