8 PIC Controller Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

When Muhammad Ali Mazidi teamed up with Danny Causey and Rolin D McKinlay, they brought decades of engineering teaching experience to this detailed guide on PIC18 microcontrollers. The book drills into programming PIC microcontrollers using both assembly language and C, offering you a hands-on look at embedded system design and hardware interfacing. You'll find clear explanations of core concepts like memory organization, interrupts, and serial communication protocols, supported by practical examples that help bridge theory and application. This text suits engineering students and embedded systems developers aiming to deepen their programming skills and system-level understanding of PIC controllers.

When Michael Predko wrote this book, he aimed to demystify the PIC microcontroller for engineers and hobbyists eager to harness its capabilities. You’ll find detailed explanations of PIC architecture alongside over 30 experiments and ten complete application projects, enabling you to build practical skills in programming and customizing these chips. The inclusion of both DOS and Windows development tools, plus reusable source code, means you get hands-on experience that extends beyond theory. If you’re involved in electronics design or embedded systems and want a resource that bridges foundational knowledge with real applications, this book fits the bill.

This tailored book explores PIC Controller programming and hardware design with a focus on your unique background and goals. It covers fundamental concepts and advanced techniques, guiding you through microcontroller architecture, embedded programming in C and assembly, peripheral interfacing, and hardware integration. By matching the content to your skill level and interests, it reveals how to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications in embedded systems. This personalized approach ensures clear pathways through complex topics like interrupt handling, debugging, and optimization, enabling you to unlock your PIC Controller's full potential while addressing your specific challenges and projects.

Drawing from his background as an educator in embedded systems, Innocent Okoloko crafted this lab book to fill a notable gap: practical, hands-on experimentation with a single PIC microcontroller using a unified programming language. You learn to work directly with the PIC16F877A and the XC8 compiler in MPLAB, focusing on real coding and hardware interaction without wading through heavy theory. The book suits students, hobbyists, and tech enthusiasts who already grasp basic electronics but want to deepen their skill through structured experiments. For example, it guides you through essential tasks like port manipulation and timer configuration, making it a straightforward bridge between theory and practice.

After years of working closely with Microchip's PIC products, Lucio Di Jasio developed this book to guide programmers through the transition to the powerful 32-bit PIC32 microcontrollers. You learn to harness the new architecture's speed and features through practical projects that build from simple timing and I/O operations to complex multitasking with interrupts and peripheral control. The book covers debugging with MPLAB tools, LCD interfacing, mass storage access, and even audio/video signal generation, providing a hands-on approach to mastering embedded control in C. Whether you're upgrading from 8 or 16-bit PICs or starting fresh, this book offers detailed examples and checklists to help you avoid common pitfalls and optimize your code for real applications.

Tim Wilmshurst’s decades of experience designing embedded systems shine through this detailed guide focused on the widely used 8-bit PIC microcontroller. You’ll move from basic embedded concepts to sophisticated development techniques, mastering assembly and C programming essential for optimizing PIC applications. The book’s sample codes and clear explanations ease the transition between languages, while chapters on advanced topics like ZigBee projects and 16/32-bit PICs deepen your technical skills. If you're engineering devices that rely on microcontrollers, this book is a solid foundation and practical reference to build your expertise.

This tailored book explores step-by-step PIC Controller projects designed for rapid skill acquisition and hands-on learning. It covers fundamental concepts and practical applications, guiding you through progressively challenging projects that match your background and specific interests. The personalized content focuses on your goals, making complex PIC programming accessible and engaging. With clear explanations and targeted examples, it reveals how to develop confidence in firmware development, hardware interfacing, and debugging through a paced, project-based approach. By matching expert knowledge with your unique learning path, this book provides a personalized roadmap that accelerates your mastery of PIC Controllers, offering a focused journey through embedded programming that closely aligns with your ambitions and current skill level.

Lucio Di Jasio is a Microchip insider who brings a practical, hands-on perspective to programming 16-bit PIC microcontrollers. This book dives into the architecture and programming of the PIC24F family, helping you master their significantly enhanced performance and peripherals through clear examples and exercises. You’ll learn how to program, test, and debug these devices effectively, with detailed guidance on MPLAB X support, I2C interfaces, and assembly-free solutions. Whether you’re an embedded systems engineer or just stepping into PIC programming, this book walks you through common challenges and advanced scenarios alike, making complex concepts accessible and directly applicable.

Barry B. Brey's decades of teaching experience shine through in this detailed exploration of PIC18 microcontrollers, where he demystifies their architecture, programming, and interfacing with clarity. You’ll gain hands-on skills in programming both in assembly and C-language, reinforced by practical examples like motor control, sensor integration, and USB interfacing. The book’s real strength lies in its breadth—covering a wide range of devices and system applications that extend beyond the basics, making it suitable for both hobbyists and seasoned practitioners looking to deepen their technical proficiency. If you want to understand PIC18’s capabilities through real-world examples and solid programming foundations, this book delivers without fluff.

John Morton's decades of experience in electronics and engineering shaped this guide into an accessible gateway to the PIC Microcontroller world. You’ll learn foundational skills through straightforward projects, moving beyond theory to actual programming with devices like the PIC16F84 and PIC12F675. Chapters focus on demystifying commands and circuits, making it approachable even if you’ve never touched a microcontroller before. Whether you're a student or hobbyist, this book helps you start building and experimenting right away, not just reading about concepts. Its practical focus means it’s less useful if you seek deep theoretical coverage but ideal for hands-on learning.