Project Hub /Basic Analog & Power Electronics/UART Communication using PIC Microcontroller

Intermediate

PIC

₹500 – ₹1,500

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

UART Communication using PIC Microcontroller

Learn how to configure and use the UART (USART) communication module on a PIC16F877A microcontroller to send and receive data with a computer.

Originally published on CircuitDigest

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

USB to UART/ESP8266 Adapter Programmer for ESP-01 WiFi Modules with CH340G Chip Rs. 99.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
10pcs 5mm RED Diffused Light Emitting Diodes - LEDs Set Rs. 39.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: PIC Microcontroller
Perfboard / Veroboard / Stripboard
USB Host / Programmer (ISP/USBasp)

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How It Works

This project establishes a serial communication link between a PIC16F877A microcontroller and a computer using the Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART) protocol. The microcontroller is assembled on a perf board along with an LED and connecting wires. Because modern computers lack native RS232 serial ports, an RS232 to USB converter module bridges the hardware gap, translating the TTL-level UART signals from the PIC16F877A into USB data streams recognized by the host PC. Firmware written in C using MPLABX and the XC8 Compiler configures the internal baud rate generators, transmit (TX), and receive (RX) registers of the PIC microcontroller. Once programmed onto the chip via the PICkit 3 Programmer, the firmware enables the microcontroller to transmit data packets and receive commands. On the computer end, a serial terminal application such as HyperTerminal acts as the interface, allowing you to type messages that are sent via USB, converted to serial signals, and read by the microcontroller, which can then trigger responses like toggling the connected LED.

Why Build This

Gain practical undergraduate-level experience implementing hardware serial protocols between embedded systems and desktop software.

Establish a reliable debugging and data-logging channel to monitor internal microcontroller variables in real-time.

Master the configuration of hardware communication peripherals using bare-metal C programming and professional toolchains like MPLABX.

Real-World Application

Serial communication via UART is widely used in embedded systems for debugging, logging data, and communicating with computers, sensors, Bluetooth modules, and other microcontrollers.

Skills You'll Learn

UART serial communication configuration

hardware debugging with serial terminals

USB-to-serial hardware interfacing

C programming for embedded systems

Safety Precautions

No specific precautions noted for this build — always follow general electronics safety practices.

Technology Tags

PIC MICROCONTROLLER

PIC16F877A

UART

USART

SERIAL COMMUNICATION

MPLABX

XC8

RS232

USB CONVERTER

EMBEDDED C

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need an RS232 to USB converter module?

Most modern computers do not have traditional 9-pin serial ports. The converter module translates the microcontroller's UART voltage levels into a USB protocol that your computer can read.

What is the role of the PICkit 3 Programmer in this setup?

The PICkit 3 is used to transfer the compiled C code from your computer's MPLABX environment directly onto the flash memory of the PIC16F877A microcontroller.

Can I use any serial terminal application besides HyperTerminal?

Yes, modern alternatives like PuTTY, Tera Term, or the built-in serial monitor in MPLABX work equally well for sending and receiving data.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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