The MPLAB PIC-simulation tool

An introduction

Introduction

On this page you will be introducced to the MPLAB simulation tool using a
simple example program & application for the PIC16F84: LEDSRUN.

MPLAB is a powerful tool to assemble and simulate your PIC program before you burn it into your PIC.
® Download MPLAB (10 Mbyte) from www.microchip.com or HERE &  install by running the "mpLAB520ful.exe" file.
Newer versions of MPLAB are available, but they do not fully match this tutorial.

The tool is especially suitable to debug your programs because you can check all registers flags and so on
as you step through your program. The "animate" feature enables you to run your program is slow motion
at a few Hz so you can follow its steps.

"LEDSRUN":  An example:

This page will get you started with MPLAB by means of an example "LEDSRUN".
 LEDSRUN is a running light built with a PIC16F84 µController as in the schematic below.

First Build the circuit below (use an 18-pin IC socket for the PIC)
Then follow the manual step by step to get started with MPLAB.

Getting started with MPLAB

1. Create a project folder
   Use the windows explorer to create a project folder e.g. c:\work
   Then download the PIC assembler program file ledsrun.asm into this project folder.
   (You can examine the assembler program ledrun.asm using notepad.)
    
2. Start MPLAB
   
   Start MPLAB with : start, programs, Microchip MPLAB, MPLAB.
   Use the leftmost button of the toolbar to choose the toolbar you see below:
   
    
3. Create a project
   First open the example file "ledsrun.asm" with:  file, open, <browse to c:\work\ledsrun.asm>
   ®You will see the program "ledsrun.asm" in a text editor window.
   
   Then create a project named "ledsrun" with: project, new project, <browse to c:\work\>, type ledsrun.pjt:
   
   
   Then click on add node in the window that pops up:
   
   
   Select "ledsrun.asm" and click on OK for the "add node window" and OK for the "edit project window".
   
   
   Now save the project with: project, save project
    
4. Assemble the program (build all)
   Assemble the program using: project, build all.
   The build result window will show that the program is assembled succesfully:
   
   
   ®The following files are created in the project folder c:\work:
   
   -ledsrun.hex    =    the hex file that can be burned into your PIC
   -ledsrun.err    =    txt file with description of all program errors and warnings (empty if all is ok)
   -ledsrun.lst    =    Absolute listing file generated by assembler/compiler
   -ledsrun.pjt    =    Project data file linking the files for MPLAB
   -ledsrun.cod    =    Contains symbolic information and object code
   -ledsrun.bkx    =    Backup hex-file generated if you build more than once
    
5. Create a watch window
   With a watch window you can check the contents of registers while stepping through your program.
   Create a watch window using: window, watch windows, new watch window
   (if this option is not available make sure to enable  the MPLABSIM-simulator in menu: <options, development mode>)
   
   
   Select the following registers for the watch window by selecting them and clicking the add button::
   -count1:     counter used for delay
   -count2:     another counter for delay
   -leds:          portB outputs which drives the leds
   -STATUS: status register which shows the set up of the PIC
   -w :              accumulator
    
6. Start the simulation
   
   Start the simulation using : <debug, run, animate>
   The program will be executed at e few Hertz, the values of the registers in the watch window are updated continuously.
   
   You can also step through the program, use power on reset and so on.
    
7. Other options
   
   -Add input signals: use: <debug, simulator stimulus, asynchronous stimulus>
   Use your right mouse button to change the input of the pin (low, high, toggle):
   
   
   -Set the clock frequency using <options, development mode, clock>
   -Switch on/off the watchdog timer in <options, development mode, configuration>

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