The Microcontroller Idea Book

Author: Jan Axelson

 is a hands-on guide that presents practical designs for use in data loggers, controllers, and other small-computer applications. Microcontrollers, or single-chip computers, are ideal for projects that require computer intelligence but don't need the disk drives, keyboard, and full-screen display of a desktop computer

ABOUT THE 8052-BASIC

Example circuits and programs in the book are based on the popular 8052-BASIC microcontroller, whose on-chip BASIC programming language makes it easy to write, run, and test your programs. With over 100 commands, instructions, and operators, the BASIC-52 interpreter can do much more than other single-chip BASICs. Its abilities include floating-point math, string handling, and special commands for storing programs in EPROM, EEPROM, or battery-backed RAM.

You can use any computer with a serial port as a host system for writing, uploading, running, debugging, and storing programs as you develop a project. When project development is complete, you can disconnect the host computer, and the 8052-BASIC will run your program automatically on boot-up. You can also use an 8052-BASIC circuit as a development system for uploading and debugging assembled or compiled programs. As a member of the 8051 microcontroller family, the 8052-BASIC uses a standard, popular architecture.