Dubbed the "Schools Experimenter", this versatile design allows simple exercises to learn the BASIC programming language using LEDs and simple sensors, but the board can also be used alongside a breadboard prototyping system for much more advanced experiments.

What is a microcontroller?

Microcontrollers are single-chip computers that are finding use in just about every electronically enabled device you care to name. Toys, mobile phones, microwave ovens and MP3 players are just a small sample of the consumer items now microcontroller equipped.

The "PICAXE" system is a powerful, yet very low cost microcontroller programming system designed to simplify educational and hobbyist use of these devices.

A unique feature of the PICAXE system is that no special programming hardware is required. Programs that you write on your PC using free Windows software can be downloaded straight into the microcontroller chip with a direct cable connection.

This low-cost approach also means that students can use the whole programming system at home.

Naturally, the easiest-to-use member of the PICAXE family, the PICAXE-08M, was chosen for use in this project. It is contained in an 8-pin dual-in-line (DIL) IC package. Two pins connect to the power source, two more are used for downloading the BASIC programs while the remaining four are general-purpose inputs and outputs. These can be used to control LEDs and relays, make sounds, read sensors, etc.

Some pins have alternate functions, which we’ll explore in more detail in future articles.