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Product Description
Product Description
WHIP UP SOME FIENDISHLY FUN PICAXE MICROCONTROLLER DEVICES
"Ron has worked hard to explain how the PICAXE system operates through simple examples, and I'm sure his easy-to-read style will help many people progress with their PICAXE projects." --From the Foreword by Clive Seager, Revolution Education Ltd.
This wickedly inventive guide shows you how to program, build, and debug a variety of PICAXE microcontroller projects. PICAXE Microcontroller Projects for the Evil Genius gets you started with programming and I/O interfacing right away, and then shows you how to develop a master processor circuit.
From "Hello, World!" to "Hail, Octavius!"
All the projects in Part I can be accomplished using either an M or M2 class PICAXE processor, and Part II adds 20X2-based master processor projects to the mix. Part III culminates in the creation of Octavius--a sophisticated robotics experimentation platform featuring a 40X2 master processor and eight breadboard stations which allow you to develop intelligent peripherals to augment Octavius' functioning. The only limit is your imagination!
PICAXE Microcontroller Projects for the Evil Genius:
- Features step-by-step instructions and helpful photos and illustrations
- Allows you to customize each project for your purposes
- Offers all the programs in the book free for download
- Removes the frustration factor--all required parts are listed, along with sources
Build these and other devious devices:
- Simple mini-stereo jack adapter
- USBS-PA3 PICAXE programming adapter
- Power supply
- Three-state digital logic probe
- 20X2 master processor circuit
- TV-R input module
- 8-bit parallel 16X2 LCD board
- Serialized 16X2 LCD
- Serialized 4X4 matrix keypad
- SPI 4-digit LED display
- Countdown timer
- Programmable, multi-function peripheral device and operating system
- Octavius--advanced robotics experimentation platform
- L298 dual DC motor controller board
Each fun, inexpensive Evil Genius project includes a detailed list of materials, sources for parts, schematics, and lots of clear, well-illustrated instructions for easy assembly. The larger workbook-style layout and convenient two-column format make following the step-by-step instructions a breeze.
Make Great Stuff!
TAB, an imprint of McGraw-Hill Professional, is a leading publisher of DIY technology books for makers, hackers, and electronics hobbyists.
About the Author
Ron Hackett has more than 30 years' experience in the fields of education and psychology. He has taught mathematics, psychology, and computer science courses at high school and college levels, and in-service courses for teachers in the use of microcomputers in the classroom setting. Ron has published 20 PICAXE-related articles for Nuts & Volts and SERVO magazines. He also designed the "Brain-Alpha" PC board used in the popular SERVO TankBot robot. His website is www.JRHackett.net.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was interested in protoyping a digital measurement thingy, didn't want to have to learn binary and found by chance the Picaxe chips. Bloody genius things they are, whether you are making a LCD display or a remote controlled robot, with environmental sensors, these are quick and easy ways to get results.
And this book is the ideal starting place to do so! Many of the projects are available in kit form, to save a little time, but this book shows you everything you need to know about Picaxe chips.
The author, Ron Hackett, is also very helpful and replied to my emailed questions in a matter of hours.
Perfect for school projects or budding evil scientists (who are looking to take over the world)!
And this book is the ideal starting place to do so! Many of the projects are available in kit form, to save a little time, but this book shows you everything you need to know about Picaxe chips.
The author, Ron Hackett, is also very helpful and replied to my emailed questions in a matter of hours.
Perfect for school projects or budding evil scientists (who are looking to take over the world)!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Very nice, glad I bought it
1 Sep 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'll be honest here. I was purchasing a completely unrelated book, and I needed to spend a few more bucks to get free shipping at Amazon. Having just ordered a PICAXE development board and a few PICAXE chips to play with, I did a quick search and found this book. I have already bought and studied "Programming and Customizing the PICAXE Microcontroller" book by David Lincoln (also highly recommend) so I didn't think I needed another PICAXE book. But I bought it anyway.
And I'm glad I did.
Mr. Hackett did a fine job on this book. It is well written, very illustrative (although the publisher could have lightened a number of the illustrations, many were very dark and you had to squint), and follows a very nice outline.
What impresses me the most, besides the thoroughness of the programming information, is the design suggestions that he made. I have, since I was 10 years old (I still have that first breadboard 25 years later), been a breadboarder. I have built and modified many circuits on breadboards. It is a valuable skill, one that can only come from experience... but it can also get tedious. That's why I really like the development boards that are available. I have been using a PICAXE development board (google AXE091) for a few days and really enjoy it, and highly recommend it. It's also why I REALLY like the Arduino with the associated shields for it. But what impresses me with this book is Mr. Hackett's stripboard techniques. First you breadboard a peripheral (LED display, switch, etc) and then, since it is something you will likely use again and again, you can save time in the future by making a stripboard version that plugs into your breadboard. Very nice. But even that can get tedious after a while... so guess what? When you have developed that particular skill, and want to save time, you can actually purchase professionally etched PC boards from his website to make some of these peripherals.
I also really liked his logic probe in a test tube project. I intend to make one myself. It reminds me of our high school electronics class when we all made voltage testers, put them in a glass test tube, filled it with clear epoxy, and then broke the glass off... although Mr. Hackett's design simply encloses the probe in a plastic test tube... nice design.
I recently wrote a poor review of "PIC Programming for Beginners" by Mark Spencer and published by the American Radio Relay League. I stated that the book was not for beginners and I suggested that the ARRL publish a three volume set, the first being a book about digital electronics (TTL/CMOS logic, etc, which I find an essential prerequisite to micros... then Volume 2 would be a book about the PICAXE, and Volume 3 would be the book introducing the PIC and assembly code. "PICAXE Microcontroller Projects for the Evil Genius" would be my Volume 2 of this set.
Nice work Mr. Hackett!
And I'm glad I did.
Mr. Hackett did a fine job on this book. It is well written, very illustrative (although the publisher could have lightened a number of the illustrations, many were very dark and you had to squint), and follows a very nice outline.
What impresses me the most, besides the thoroughness of the programming information, is the design suggestions that he made. I have, since I was 10 years old (I still have that first breadboard 25 years later), been a breadboarder. I have built and modified many circuits on breadboards. It is a valuable skill, one that can only come from experience... but it can also get tedious. That's why I really like the development boards that are available. I have been using a PICAXE development board (google AXE091) for a few days and really enjoy it, and highly recommend it. It's also why I REALLY like the Arduino with the associated shields for it. But what impresses me with this book is Mr. Hackett's stripboard techniques. First you breadboard a peripheral (LED display, switch, etc) and then, since it is something you will likely use again and again, you can save time in the future by making a stripboard version that plugs into your breadboard. Very nice. But even that can get tedious after a while... so guess what? When you have developed that particular skill, and want to save time, you can actually purchase professionally etched PC boards from his website to make some of these peripherals.
I also really liked his logic probe in a test tube project. I intend to make one myself. It reminds me of our high school electronics class when we all made voltage testers, put them in a glass test tube, filled it with clear epoxy, and then broke the glass off... although Mr. Hackett's design simply encloses the probe in a plastic test tube... nice design.
I recently wrote a poor review of "PIC Programming for Beginners" by Mark Spencer and published by the American Radio Relay League. I stated that the book was not for beginners and I suggested that the ARRL publish a three volume set, the first being a book about digital electronics (TTL/CMOS logic, etc, which I find an essential prerequisite to micros... then Volume 2 would be a book about the PICAXE, and Volume 3 would be the book introducing the PIC and assembly code. "PICAXE Microcontroller Projects for the Evil Genius" would be my Volume 2 of this set.
Nice work Mr. Hackett!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Disregard the biased rating, but please read the info!
2 Sep 2010
Format:Paperback
Since I'm the author of the book, this isn't really a review, but I wanted to include some information that may be helpful.
I certainly agree that many of the photos could be lighter. Hopefully, this situation will be corrected in the next printing, but in the meantime all the original full-color, full-size photos are available on my website ([...]) for downloading. In addition, as I mention in the book, all the programs are also available for downloading.
I certainly agree that many of the photos could be lighter. Hopefully, this situation will be corrected in the next printing, but in the meantime all the original full-color, full-size photos are available on my website ([...]) for downloading. In addition, as I mention in the book, all the programs are also available for downloading.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Major Aid
28 Oct 2010
Format:Paperback
What a useful book!. While I started with the Basic Stamp, I stumbled across Picaxe in its early years and found it superior in many ways. First it is cheap and the programming support forum was terrific. Most of all, it can handle many small and useful tasks such as light and water detection, sound and motor handling, really many things.
But to take advantage of what it can do, you need a book like Ron's. It helps you on so many levels. One of my favorite discoveries was the use of stripboards - this allows the user to create small linkages in a variety of ways. The boards are easy to cut, the long running copper lines are ideal for connecting common connections like power and ground, and they are flexible - unlike preconfigured PC boards you find at radio shack. Actually, they are very common in Europe and they sell them by the boat load.
So aside from being guided in how to physically make the circuits, Ron does a great job in educating the person about programming issues and circuit design. And best of all, he speaks to the lay person. I love the progression of tasks and projects. Each of them more advanced, each of them building on the previous knowledge. It truly could be used by any community college, vocational or high school as a laboratory work book. While the photographs are poorly defined, Ron has made them available on his web site for easy download - together with all of the programming code. This is great for those who mistype or who want to get the "correct" code version.
Lastly, it is a great resource if you need to remember how to hook-up lcds, leds with a display chip, a keyboard or interfacing with things like a tv remote. Each chapter provides a high level overview, or background if you will. Not too much and not in a pedantic manner. Just enough to set your head straight and thinking about the next task at hand.
So if you needed to buy a few good books to get started in electronics, I would put this near the top of the list. You can't go wrong. It's a great reference.
But to take advantage of what it can do, you need a book like Ron's. It helps you on so many levels. One of my favorite discoveries was the use of stripboards - this allows the user to create small linkages in a variety of ways. The boards are easy to cut, the long running copper lines are ideal for connecting common connections like power and ground, and they are flexible - unlike preconfigured PC boards you find at radio shack. Actually, they are very common in Europe and they sell them by the boat load.
So aside from being guided in how to physically make the circuits, Ron does a great job in educating the person about programming issues and circuit design. And best of all, he speaks to the lay person. I love the progression of tasks and projects. Each of them more advanced, each of them building on the previous knowledge. It truly could be used by any community college, vocational or high school as a laboratory work book. While the photographs are poorly defined, Ron has made them available on his web site for easy download - together with all of the programming code. This is great for those who mistype or who want to get the "correct" code version.
Lastly, it is a great resource if you need to remember how to hook-up lcds, leds with a display chip, a keyboard or interfacing with things like a tv remote. Each chapter provides a high level overview, or background if you will. Not too much and not in a pedantic manner. Just enough to set your head straight and thinking about the next task at hand.
So if you needed to buy a few good books to get started in electronics, I would put this near the top of the list. You can't go wrong. It's a great reference.
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