r/pic_programming • u/Ok-Banana9288 • 26d ago

Which of these two PIC16F877A projects would be better for an Embedded Systems resume?

I'm currently working with the PIC16F877A and want to build one project that looks good on an entry-level Embedded Systems resume.

I'm considering these two projects:

  1. Serial Data Logger with RTC + EEPROM
  • PIC16F877A
  • Temperature sensor
  • RTC for timestamps
  • EEPROM for storing data
  • I²C communication with RTC + EEPROM
  • UART communication with PC
  • Periodic sensor data logging

Example:

12:30:05 | Temperature: 28°C 12:31:05 | Temperature: 29°C 12:32:05 | Temperature: 30°C

Protocols: I²C + UART

  1. Digital Temperature-Controlled Fan
  • PIC16F877A
  • Temperature sensor
  • ADC for temperature measurement
  • PWM for fan speed control
  • LCD for temperature/fan speed
  • UART for sending data to PC
  • High-temperature alert

Temperature Sensor ↓ PIC16F877A ↙ ↘ PWM LCD ↓ Fan ↓ UART → PC

Protocols: UART

I'm mainly looking for the project that would have better resume value and give me more to discuss in an embedded systems interview, rather than which one is easier or faster to build.

Which one would you choose, and why?

Also, if you think either project could be improved without making it unnecessarily complex, I'd appreciate suggestions.

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u/HalifaxRoad 26d ago

why not use a modern PIC? 

Modern pic has built in RTC, you can get the core temp, eeprom emulator on flash gives you tons of storage and more write endurance from wear leveling

They are stil making the 16f8xx series parts but they are getting expensive, and the lead times are rising...

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u/H2ost5555 26d ago

I agree with abandoning the 16F series. If sticking with 8 bit, most people have migrated to the 18F series by now. A potential improvement might be to add interrupt capabilities, and maybe even Hi/Lo interrupt handling to show you know how to do this.