For engineers, the PIC microcontroller has been a godsend. Most often this is the choice of microcontroller for project implementation. We compiled a list of 20 PIC microcontroller projects ideas for electronics engineers. The projects range from alarm clocks to implementing IoT ideas.
(To access detailed information about a specific project, simply click on the name of the project below)
List of Top PIC Microcontroller Projects
1. Mood Lighting using LED
We have mod lighting from a lot of vendors in the market. However, a problem with a majority is the affordability and no repair post damage. This project shows the use of either 5mm LEDs or square-bodied Superflux / Piranha style LEDs. The circuit uses bipolar transistors rather than MOSFETs making it suitable for novice constructors. This project is also available as a kit with all parts required to assemble the PCB including the superflux LEDs.
This Project is available at Mood Lighting using LED
2. LED Cube Matrix
The cube described on this page uses a 5 x 5 x 5 matrix of single-color LEDs. This is a good size to experiment with as the number of LEDs required at 125 keeps the cost down. It also doesn’t take too long to assemble and just fits onto a Eurocard-sized PCB. The power requirement is under 1 amp. Also, the use of just one color keeps the hardware and software fairly simple.
This project is available at LED cube matrix
3. LED Dice
This project is about a similar LED dice but with a slightly different output form. It uses 6 LEDs arranged in a circular pattern. They create a chasing effect when the dice is rolled. The chasing effect slows down gradually and eventually stops at one of the six LEDs. The rolling is done by a gentle shaking of the dice horizontally. The LED dice is powered with a 3V coin cell battery and use a PIC12LF1822 microcontroller. It generates a random number and drives the output LEDs.
This project is available at LED dice
4. Emergency Vehicle LED Light
This project describes a low-component count Emergency Vehicle LED Light circuit. These can be used for capturing the attention of (or warn) drivers and pedestrians. Lighting gadgets kindle an instant response making people look up and pay attention. An important consideration when a matter of moments can mean life or death in an emergency. The bright LEDs ensure the vehicle is clearly visible, even in harsh weather conditions.
This project is available at Emergency Vehicle LED Light
5. Three-LED Bike Light
This next PIC microcontroller project is based on a PIC10F200 microcontroller running on a supply of 2 to 5 volts. In standby mode, it consumes a current of less than 1µA making it perfect for battery-powered operation. It uses three individually driven high-brightness LEDs. A push button turns the light on/off and changes operating modes when on.
This project is available at 3 LED Bike Light
6. Alarm clock-cum-temperature Indicator
This PIC microcontroller (MCU) based easy-to-construct gadget from EFY archives, combines a clock with a temperature indicator in the same display. The display uses four 7-segment common-anode LEDs. It shows the clock, and in every minute for five seconds, the display alternates to show the temperature in °C. An alarm facility with a buzzer is also provided.
This project is available at Alarm clock-cum-temperature indicator
7. Digital Temperature Controller
A digital temperature controller is an essential instrument in the field of electronics, instrumentation, and control automation for measuring and controlling temperatures. It can be used as much at home as in industrial applications. Presented here is a low-cost microcontroller-based temperature controller. It can read and control temperatures in the range of zero to 1000ºC. Real-time temperature is displayed on its LCD screen. You can use it to control the temperature within the preset minimum and maximum range.
This project is available at Digital Temperature Controller
8. Temperature Monitoring System
Temperature monitoring and control are important in industrial environments. Sensors are widely used for the measurement of temperature. A temperature sensor converts temperature into an equivalent voltage output, so here we use LM35 to do the task. This project describes a simple temperature measurement and display system based on the LM35 sensor and PIC16F877A microcontroller. The temperature in degrees Celsius is displayed on a 16×2 LCD.
This project is available at Temperature Monitoring System
9. Data logger using PIC12F683
This next PIC microcontroller project presents a data logger project based on the PIC12F683 microcontroller. The microcontroller reads temperature values from a temperature sensor on a regular interval basis and stores them in its internal EEPROM memory. The recorded temperatures can be later transferred to a PC through the serial interface.
This project is available at Data logger using PIC12F683
10. IoT Wi-Fi Temperature-Logging System
Here is a temperature data-logging system based on a PIC16F887 microcontroller (MCU), Wi-Fi, and ThingSpeak application programming interface (API). ThingSpeak is an open-source Internet of Things (IoT) application and API. It stores and retrieves data from things over the Internet. It enables you to collect, store, analyze, visualize, and act on the data received from sensors or electronic circuits.
This project is available at IoT Wi-Fi Temperature-Logging System
11. Solar Energy Measurement
This project is designed to measure the energy of solar panels. In this project, you will get an idea of how to measure solar energy using different sensors and a PIC microcontroller. A voltage sensor is used to measure the voltage of the solar panel. The current sensor is used to measure the current flowing to load from the solar panel. A liquid crystal display is used to display the value of current, voltage, and power of solar panels. 5-volt dc power provides operating voltages to a microcontroller and liquid crystal display.
This project is available at Solar energy measurement
12. Electronic Lock using PIC
Security is a prime concern in our day-to-day life. Everyone wants to be as much secure as possible. The microcontroller-based digital lock for doors is an access control system. It allows only authorized persons to access a restricted area. An electronic lock or digital lock is a device that has an electronic control assembly attached to it. They are provided with an access control system. This system allows the user to unlock the device with a password.
This project is available at Electronic Lock
13. Time-Controlled Switch
A time-controlled switch is an automatic timer switch that turns an appliance ‘on’ for the desired time duration. After the preset time duration, the timer automatically switches off, disconnecting the appliance from the power supply. The time duration for the appliance can be set from 1 to 99 minutes. This switch obviates the need to continuously monitor the appliance – an advantage over the manual switch. Switching appliances in a timely manner increases life and also saves on power consumption.
This project is available at Time-Controlled Switch
14. Clap Switch
A clap switch is a fun project for beginners. It switches on and off electrical appliances with the sound of clapping hands. This project is about making a simple clap switch that operates when it detects two clapping sounds in a row. It uses an electret microphone as a transducer. It converts a clapping sound into an electrical signal. The PIC12F683 microcontroller then performs ON/OFF switching actions.
This project is available at Clap switch
15. A USB Interface
This tutorial builds a USB interface using a PIC18F4455 that shows up as a human interface device in Windows. The interface should be able to send and receive commands from the USB host on the laptop computer. Specifically: The USB should be able to toggle some LEDs on and off, recognize when a switch is pressed, and visualize the value of a variable resistor, and trim pot.
This project is available at PIC USB Interface
16. Ultrasonic Distance Meter
The PIC Ultrasonic distance meter works by transmitting a short pulse of sound at a frequency inaudible to the ear (ultrasonic sound or ultrasound). Afterward, the microcontroller listens for an echo. The time from transmission to echo reception lets you calculate the distance from the object. The project uses 5 standard transistors to receive and transmit the ultrasound. A comparator sets the threshold echo detection level.
This project is available at Ultrasonic distance meter
17. Control System for Greenhouse
A greenhouse intelligent control system is designed to protect plants from cool and hot weather. An additional control system is included to save power. This makes fans and lights automatically turn on and off with the help of an intelligent control system. In this project, an intelligent control system is developed using microcontroller and sensors.
This project is available at Control system for the greenhouse
18. Line Follower
Line follower robot is usually made at the university level makes students familiar with the field of robotics. It is not possible to make a practical robot at the university level. International robotics club encourages students to make simple robots to begin with. The common ones are line follower robots, obstacle-avoided robots, and metal detection robots. These help in getting a basic understanding of practical robots.
This project is available at Line Follower
19. Fan Speed Regulator Using PIC16F73
Presented here is a fan speed regulator built around the PIC16F73 microcontroller, voltage regulator, and some other commonly available components.
This project is available at Fan Speed Increasing Regulator Using PIC16F73
Do you have any PIC microcontroller projects that you would like to see here? Or do you have any PIC microcontroller projects ideas that you would like to get featured on this list? Let us know at [email protected].
This article was first published on 25 April 2017 and was updated on 3 August 2019.
