|
|
| (43 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | The task is to produce a Flowcode flowchart that lights a lamp for ten seconds when a switch is pressed.<br />
| + | For an excellent introduction guide, we recommend [https://www.flowcode.co.uk/education/ Introduction to microcontroller programming] |
| − | Although it may not be realistic to use a microcontroller in such a straight-forward application, it illustrates the technique of producing a Flowcode program.<br />
| |
| − | The program itself may form part of a bigger program.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | __TOC__
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==Formulate the sequence==
| |
| − | The flowchart sequence will be:
| |
| − | : Check if the switch is pressed.
| |
| − | :: If it isn't, go back to the beginning.
| |
| − | :: If it is:
| |
| − | ::: switch on the lamp;
| |
| − | ::: wait for 10 seconds;
| |
| − | ::: switch off the lamp;
| |
| − | ::: go back to the beginning.
| |
| − | | |
| − | It takes such a short time for the microcontroller to carry this out, that we don't need to worry whether the switch latches on or not.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | ==Set up the flowchart==
| |
| − | [[File:Gen_Startup_Selection.png||250px|right]]
| |
| − | * [[Opening Flowcode|Open Flowcode]].
| |
| − | * On the Startup screen, click on 'New project'.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | [[File:Gen_Project_Options_Target_16F1937.png|right|250px]]
| |
| − | : The [[Project Options]] dialogue box opens.
| |
| − | : (Click on the link for a full explanation of all the options available.)
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * Accept the default settings by clicking on 'OK'.
| |
| − | : An empty flowchart window opens, which may contain other items such as a [[System Panel]], [[Dashboard Panel]], [[Properties Panel]] etc.
| |
| − | : These can be revealed or hidden using the [[View]] menu.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | * Set up the flowchart window so that you can see the System Panel and the Properties Panel.
| |
| − | : The flowchart window should resemble the one shown below (depending on the configuration.)
| |
| − | | |
| − | [[File:gen_exerciseFirstFlowchart_startscreen_01.png|500px|center]]
| |
| − | | |
| − | : The System Panel and Properties Panel can be moved by clicking and dragging the title bar at the top of each panel.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | ==Set up the input==
| |
| − | : More information about the icons used in this flowchart can be found in [[Icon Properties]].
| |
| − | * Drag and drop a 'Loop' icon between the BEGIN and END icons.
| |
| − | : The 'Loop' icon will make the microcontroller repeatedly run through the program, (though the icon can be configured to limit the number of times this happens.)
| |
| − | | |
| − | * Inside the loop, drag and drop an 'Input' icon from the [[Tools and Views#1) Icons Toolbar|Icons toolbar]].
| |
| − | :* This will be configured later to read the state of the switch - to detect if the switch is being pressed.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | ==Check the switch==
| |
| − | * Drag and drop a 'Decision' icon after the 'Input' icon.
| |
| − | : This icon will be used to make the program perform what is known as a conditional branch.
| |
| − | : When programmed, the icons will currently be able to continually check if the switch is being pressed or not.
| |
| − | : In the next step we will be adding icons which will allow us to control what happens if the switch is pressed.
| |
| − | : Once the switch is pressed it will perform an the action or process and continue to check if it is being pressed again.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==Control the lamp==
| |
| − | : Next we concentrate on the 'Yes' branch of the 'Decision' icon.
| |
| − | * Drag and drop an 'Output' icon in the 'Yes' branch.
| |
| − | | |
| − | : The effect of this icon is going to trigger the lamp and turn it on.
| |
| − | : Next we want the lamp to stay on for ten seconds and then turn off.
| |
| − | [[File:Exercise_Creating_a_Flowchart_Icons_Layout.png|right]]
| |
| − | * Drag and drop a 'Delay' icon after the 'Output' icon.
| |
| − | :* This is the icon which will allow us to delay the circuit for a specified period of time.
| |
| − | :* The delay will last for 10 seconds, in this time the circuit will not be able to carry out any other function until the delay is complete.
| |
| − | | |
| − | : Finally we need to turn the lamp off, after the ten second delay.
| |
| − | : To do this we will need another 'Output' icon.
| |
| − | :* Drag and drop a second 'Output' icon after the 'Delay' icon.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Your flowchart should now be complete and look like the image to the right.
| |
| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | You should now [[Saving a Flowchart|save the flowchart]] as "Lamp1.fcf", and [[Closing Flowcode|close Flowcode]].
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==What next==
| |
| − | The flowchart is now ready to be configured and programmed in order to operate electronic devices (components). The configuration of the flowchart is covered in the exercise [[Exercise - Configuring Icons and Variables|Configuring Icons and Variables]].
| |
