JAPAN - MALAYSIA TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

INSTITUT LATIHAN JABATAN TENAGA MANUSIA JMTi

WORKSHEET #3
NAME Date:
MATRIC NO. Page 1 of
DEPARTMENT ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Ref. No.
SECTION INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS
COURSE DIPLOMA IN ELECTRONICS ENG. TECHNOLOGY Course Code No.
BLOCK SPECIALIZED PRACTICE TKE2405
UNIT MICROCOMPUTER TECHNOLOGY Semester No.
SEGMENT PRAC. ON MICROCOMPUTER TECHNOLOGY II Sem.4

TITLE: MPLAB - SIM

General.

Simulator is part of the MPLAB environment that provides a better insight into the workings of a
microcontroller. Through a simulator, we can monitor current variable values, register values and
status of port pins. Truthfully, simulator does not have the same value in all programs. If a program
is simple (like the one given here as an example), simulation is not of great importance because
setting port B pins to logic one is not a difficult task.

However, simulator can be of great help with more complicated programs that include timers,
different conditions where something happens and other similar requirements (especially with
mathematical operations). Simulation, as the name indicates "simulates the work of a
microcontroller". As microcontroller executes instructions one by one, simulator is conceived -
programmer moves through a program step-by-step (line-by-line) and follows what goes on with
data within the microcontroller.

When writing is completed, it is a good trait for a programmer to first test his program in a
simulator, and then run it in a real situation. Unfortunately, as with many other good habits, man
tends to avoid this one too, more or less. Reasons for this are partly personality, and partly a lack of
good simulators.
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Code Number: TKE2405 Work Sheet No. 3

Starting the program simulation.

Simulator is activated by clicking on DEBUGGER > SELECT TOOL > MPLAB SIM, as shown in the
image above. Four new icons appear to the right.

They are related to simulator only, and have the following meaning:

Start the program execution at full speed. When started, simulator executes
the program until "paused" by the icon below (just as with cassette or CD
player).

Stops full-speed program execution. After this icon has been clicked, program
execution may be continued step-by-step or at full-speed.

Step Into icon. Step-by-step program execution. Clicking on this icon executes
the succeeding program line. It enters the macros and subroutines.

Same as the previous icon, except it does not enter the macros and
subroutines.

Resets the microcontroller. Clicking on this icon positions the program counter
to the beginning of program and simulation may begin.
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Code Number: TKE2405 Work Sheet No. 3

First thing we need to do, as in a real situation, is to reset a microcontroller with DEBUGGER > RESET
command or by clicking on the reset icon .

This command results in green marker line positioned at the beginning of the program, and
program counter PCL is positioned at zero that can also be seen in Special Functions Registers
window.

One of the main simulator features is the ability to view register status within a microcontroller.
These registers are also called special function registers, or SFR registers. We can get a window with
SFR registers by clicking on VIEW > SPECIAL FUNCTION REGISTERS.

Beside SFR registers, it is useful to have an insight into file registers. Window with file registers can be
opened by clicking on VIEW > FILE REGISTERS.
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Code Number: TKE2405 Work Sheet No. 3

In fact the commonly viewed SFRs; the Working register, Program Counter and Status flags; are
always on display at the bottom of the screen:

If there are variables in the program, it is good to monitor them, too. Each variable is assigned one
window (Watch Windows) by clicking on VIEW > WATCH.
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Code Number: TKE2405 Work Sheet No. 3

Simulator with open SFR registers and File registers windows

When all the variables and registers of interest are placed on the simulator working area,
simulation may begin. Next command can be either Step Into or Step Over, as we may want to
go into subroutines or not. Same commands can be issued via keyboard, by clicking F7 or F8.

In the SFR registers window, we can observe how register W receives value 0xFF and delivers it to
port B.

By clicking on F7 key again, we don't achieve anything because program has arrived to an
"infinite loop". Infinite loop is a term we will meet often. It represents a loop from which a
microcontroller cannot get out until interrupt takes place (if it is used in a program), or until a
microcontroller is reset.

Exercise: