8051 Microcontroller – Programming Tutorials, Simulators, Compilers and Programmers

8051 is not just a number, is the name of one of the most advanced microcontroller used in robotics. This single chip microcontroller is a box where are stored many functions like CPU, RAM, ROM, Timer, Serial Communication Interface, I/O ports, etc. First version appeared in 1980s and since then the microcontroller is a popular chip for embedded systems.

The 8051 microcontroller is a small computer based on architecture with support for embedded applications. This is the biggest difference between a microcontroller and microprocessor. A microprocessor is used in personal computers while a microcontroller is used for embedded systems especially in robotics.

8051 Microcontroller

Since 8051 is the most common microcontroller designed especially for robots, I decide to write an article with resources for beginners and advanced users. In this article, I include resources for programming, simulation, compile, programmer kits and especially tutorials to learn how the 8051 microcontroller is programmed or simulated.

8051 Microcontroller Programming Tutorials

Beginners or advanced users can read these tutorials for educational purposes to learn how to programming a 8051 microcontroller or used for inspiration in case of advanced users.

• How to Program For 8051 Microcontroller – short tutorial with tools and steps to program the microcontroller in order to blink an LED. The tutorial can be useful for beginners.
• Driving 8 LED C Programming 8051 Microcontroller – programming code that uses WHILE loop construct to drive eight LED’s.
• Interfacing LED To Microcontroller & LED Blinking Program – tutorial with steps described to shows how to interface the LED to microcontroller.
• C Programming for 8051 Using KEIL IDE – tutorial for beginners that explain how Keil development and testing software can be used for C programming for 8051 microcontroller.
• Paul’s 8051 Tools, Projects and Free Code – tools and library for 8051 microcontroller series.
• 8051 Tutorials – series of tutorials how to programming 8051 microcontroller.
• Tutorials for Microcontrollers – another series of tutorials how to write programming code for microcontrollers.
• 8051 Microcontroller Tutorials – tutorials from C to assembly language programming.
• Programming Embedded Systems – introduction course for 8051 microcontroller.
• Embedded C Programming – series of articles about 8051 microcontroller.
• 8051 Programming in C – comprehensive tutorial how to use C programming language to write code for 8051 microcontroller.
• USB & GLCD Expansion Board for 8051SBC – tutorial how to use and test the programming code for Ezy USB-M01 board.
• How to Simulate a Microcontroller in Multisim – tutorial with steps to simulate the 8051 microcontroller in Multisim.

Simulators

Useful tools designed to be used in development process for 8051 microcontrollers.

• Raisonance – application simulator for 8051 microcontrollers.
• JSIM51 – free simulator for 8051 microcontroller and one of the most popular simulator with comprehensive documentation to learn how can be used.
• Micro C 8051 – simulator C and assembly programming language compatible.
• C51 Software – simulator tool for classic and extended 8051 microcontrollers.
• Proteus VSM for 8051 – complete tools for develop and test programming line for all series of 8051 microcontrollers.
• Crossware 8051 – simulation tool that creates a virtual clone of 8051 microcontroller that runs on computers.
• EdSim51 – one of the most popular simulator tool for 8051 series with interface for virtual peripherals and keyboard, ADC, or DAC.
• Tiny 8051 Microcontroller Simulator 0.6.1 – designed for educational purposes, Tiny is a simulator written in C# programming language for simulation and debugging.

Compilers

List with C or C++ compilers and support for 8051 microcontroller series.

• SDCC – C compiler for a wide series of microcontrollers including the 8051 model.
• mikroC PRO for 8051 -C compiler with friendly interface and support for Atmel and Silicon Labs microcontrollers.
• Keil – powerful and efficient C simulator for 8051.
• TASKING – compiler compatible with 8, 16 and 32-bit microcontrollers.
• IAR Embedded Workbench for 8051 – C and C++ compiler for 8051.
• 8051 C Compiler – based on ANSI standard, the Crossware 8051 C compiler is designed for 8051 microcontroller series.
• 8051 C++ Compiler – C++ simulator with support for object oriented programs.
• Ceibo 8051 C++ – C++ compiler with support for Object Oriented Programming and used for debugging and code maintenance.
• 8051 C-Compiler uC51 – friendly interface tool based on ANSI C standard.

Programmer

In this section I made a list with hardware devices called programmer and used to write in the 8051 microcontroller memory the machine language code.

• 8051 Programmer / Debugger
• TOP2048 USB Universal Programmer
• 3123KT – ATMEL 89 Series Programmer KIT
• C51 Development Tools
• AS3128ZIF – ASSEMBLED USB Flash PIC Programmer with ZIF Socket
• Silicon Labs MCUniversity Program
• Easy8051 v6
• 8051 Software Development Tools
• 8051 Microcontroller Programmer – USB
• USB 8051 (89 series) & AVR Microcontroller Programmer
• 8051 Microcontroller Self Learning Kit

8051 Microcontroller Instructions Set

For a precise control, the microcontrollers may operate under instructions. These instructions are commands written for microcontroller and divided into various categories including arithmetic, logic, data transfer, Boolean variables, and machine control instructions.

• 8051 Microcontroller Instruction Set
• 8051 / 8052 Instruction Set
• 8051 Microcontroller Tutorial(basics)
• Architecture and programming of 8051 MCU’s
• The 8051 Microcontroller and Embedded Systems Using Assembly and C
• Architecture and programming of 8051 MCU’s
• 8051 Microcontroller Port Programming
• 8051/8951 Microcontroller Instruction Set
• 8051 Instruction Set

EAGLE PCB Software

Whether you are a team of one, or part of a large engineering department, EAGLE provides quality PCB design software with the features that get the job done. For over 20 years, EAGLE has been satisfying design engineers around the world, by offering the same core functionality as expensive commercial software, at the fraction of the cost.
Easy to learn

• Schematic editor, layout editor, library editor modules with identical user interfaces
• Free service support through dedicated experts
• Compatible with Windows®, Linux®, Mac®

Easy to buy

• Purchase and license on-line or with personal support from our distributors
• No maintenance fees or add on contracts

Easy to use

• Flexible User Language Programs (ULPs) enable custom features, such as individual instruction sequences, simulation, data export and import
• Export Gerber files that can be used at any board house:
  • Gerber 274X & Gerber 274D
  • Excellon NC Drill Format
  • SM1000 and SM3000
  • Custom user-defined export formats
• Online import of product & pricing information through DesignLink
• Active customer forums to share files, libraries ULPs, design tips and more

System Requirements

Windows

• Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7

Linux

• Intel PC based Linux
• Kernel version 2.6
• X11 in at least 8bpp mode

Mac

• Mac OSX 10.4 on PPC or Intel

Windows users please download the file
ftp://ftp.cadsoft.de/eagle/program/5.11/eagle-win-5.11.0.exe

Linux users please download the file
ftp://ftp.cadsoft.de/eagle/program/5.11/eagle-lin-5.11.0.run

Further download directories can be found here:
Addendum – Important fixes that have been applied after the release of EAGLE version 5.0
Libraries – New and improved EAGLE part libraries
ULPs – User Language Programs
Projects – Projects from EAGLE users
Documentation – Various user provided documents
Tools and Converters – Additional tools and converters to use with EAGLE

OrCAD PCB Designer Lite DVD

OrCAD 16.5 Demo Software (All Products)

Designers around the world rely on the powerful yet intuitive Cadence® OrCAD® personal productivity tools. OrCAD has a long history of providing individuals and teams with a complete set of technologies that offer unprecedented productivity, seamless tool integration, and exceptional value—the OrCAD 16.5 release continues with that tradition.

The OrCAD 16.5 demo software will let you experience all the features and functionality of the actual software*. So go ahead, discover how easy it is to use these state-of-the-art OrCAD technologies.

* Limitations are in the size and complexity of the design.

The OrCAD PCB Designer Lite DVD includes demo versions of the following tools: OrCAD Capture, OrCAD Capture CIS Option, PSpice® A/D, PSpice A/A, OrCAD PCB Editor and SPECCTRA® for OrCAD.

Download FREE - OrCAD 16.5 demo software (851MB) includes OrCAD Flow Tutorial with the example design files (You must use the path/folder option in your zip tool when extracting this archive.)

PSPICE 9.1 student version

Design and simulate analog and digital circuits.What's included with the Student Version
Limited versions of the following products are included in the Student Version of PSpice:

• PSpice A/D 9.1, Web Update 1, including PSpice Schematics 9.1
• Your choice of schematic editors (specify during installation)
  • PSpice Schematics 9.1
  • Capture 9.1, Web Update 2
    

Digikey Database and libraries
Download Digikey Database 2.09 MB
Download Digikey Libraries 1.05 MB
Help Files
PSPICE.PDF - Pspice User's Guide
CAPUG.PDF - Capture User's Guide
ANALOG.PDF - Analog Parts
DIGITAL.PDF - Digital Parts
MIXED.PDF - Mixed- Signal Parts
PSPICEAD.PDF - A/D User’s Guide
PSPCREF.PDF - A/D Reference Manual
OPTUG.PDF - Optimizer User's Guide
PCB2LAY.PDF - Converting MicroSim PCBoards Designs to OrCAD Layout Designs
SCH2CAP.PDF - Converting MicroSim Schematics Designs to OrCAD Capture Designs
NETLICGD.PDF - Network Licensing Guide
Tutorials

• http://www.uta.edu/ee/hw/pspice/
• http://www.engr.colostate.edu/ECE562/Pspicetutorial.pdf
• http://cobweb.ecn.purdue.edu/~ee255/lecturesupp_files/PSpice-Tutorial.pdf
• http://www.ee.nmt.edu/~rison/ee321_fall02/Tutorial.html

Download PSPICE 9.1 student version

PCB Design tools

Officially supported CAD File Formats:
EAGLENice, easy to use CAD/CAM software for PCB schematic and routing. We accept .BRD files for prototyping.

KICADFree, open source schematic capture and PCB routing.We accept .BRD files for prototyping.
TARGET 3001PCB CAD/CAM software. You can download limited demo version. We accept .BRD files for prototyping.
Free, open source design tools for PCB:

gEDAgEDA is a free, open-source schematic capture and layout package that runs on Linux.
ZenitPCBZenitPCB is a freeware layout software.
PCBFree unix PCB editor.

FREE-PCBFreePCB is a free, open-source printed circuit board layout editor for Microsoft Windows!
TinyCADTinyCAD is a free open-source schematic editor written by Matt Pyne.
TCI3Free PCB routing and schematic capture software.

SCOREFree schematic capture software (Alfa version).

OSMOND PPCFREE MAC PCB CAD/CAM software.

MINIMAL PCB EDITOROpen source schematic capture and board layout editor for windows by OKADA Hitoshi
DESIGN SPARK PCB Free PCB and schematic design package based on Easy-PC, with no design restriction, and it doesn't tie you to any PCB manufacture.

Commercial design tools for PCB:
PROTELCAD/CAM software for schematic and routing. You can download 30 days free trial. Protel offers free old-DOS based software called EasyTrax.

CR5000 (CADSTAR)CAD/CAM software for schematic and routing. Have free for download limited demo version.

ORCADCAD/CAM software. No demo/evaluation version.

CIRCUIT MAKERCAD/CAM software for schematic and routing. You can download limited demo version.

P-CAD 2000PCB CAD/CAM software. You can download FREE trial version.

PCB ELEGANCENice looking CAD/CAM software for schematic and routing. You can download limited demo version.

EDWINCAD/CAM software for schematic and routing. You can download limited demo version.

VISUALPCYou can download limited demo version.

BPECS32Very limited PCB CAD software. You can download limited demo version.

AUTOENGINEERPCB CAD/CAM software. You can download limited demo version. We never used to run it as some messages in German language appear.

EXPERT PCBPCB CAD/CAM software. You can download limited demo version.

CIRCADPCB CAD/CAM software. You can download limited demo version.

LAYOUTPCB CAD/CAM software. You can download free version.

CIRCUIT LAYOUTPCB CAD/CAM software. You can download limited demo version.

MCCADPCB CAD/CAM software. You can download limited demo version.

DREAM CADJapanese PCB CAD/CAM software. You can download limited demo version.

E-CADSupermax CAD/CAM software, runs on NT. You can download limited demo version.

POWERPCBCAD/CAM software. No demo/evaluation version.

PCB ASSISTANTLow cost PCB CAD software. You can download limited demo version.

PCB DESIGNERLow cost PCB CAD software. You can download limited demo version.

QCADPCB CAD/CAM software. You can download limited demo version.

QUICK ROUTEPCB CAD/CAM software. You can download limited demo version.

WIN CIRCUIT 98PCB CAD/CAM software. You can download limited demo version.

BOARD EDITORLow cost PCB CAD software. You can download free demo version.

VUTRAXPCB CAD/CAM software. You can download limited demo version.

CIRCUIT CREATORPCB CAD/CAM software. You can download free demo version.

PADSPCBPADS PCB CAD/CAM software. You can download free limited demo version on this ftp server.

DESIGN WORKSPCB schematic capture and simulation software. You can download free evaluation version.

LAY01PCB CAD/CAM software with limited demo version (200 pins) for free download.

GElectronicLow cost PCB routing and schematic capture software.

PRO-Board, PRO-Net Schematic capture and routing for AMIGA computers.

CSIEDASchematic capture and routing for PC.
VISUALPCBLow cost schematic capture, spice and routing for PC.

WINBOARDCAD/CAM software for schematic and routing. You can download limited demo version.

ULTIBOARDCAD/CAM software for schematic and routing. You can download limited demo version.

EASY PCPCB CAD/CAM software.

RANGERPCB CAD/CAM software. You can download limited demo version.

PROTEUSLow cost CAD/CAM software. You can download limited demo version.

EPD - Electronics Packaging Designer RF/hybrid/flex design tools based on AutoCAD.No demo available for direct download.
AutoTrax EdaSchematic design and PCB routing software. You can download free copy from the web site.
SprintLayoutLow cost tool to create layouts for single-sided and double-sided PCBs . You can download limited demo version from the web site. NO DRC check which make this program quite useless.
CADINTSchematic capture and PCB routing. Have 30 days trial version for download.
Merlin PCB DesignerShareware for Corel Draw which allow PCBs to be routed.
WINQCADSchematic capture, PCB routing, autorute. Have free 200 pin version for download.
PulsonixPCB schematic capture and routing software. 100 pin restricted demo available.
DIPTRACEPCB schematic capture and routing software. 30 days evaluation version. Not-for-profit version available allows 4 layers and 1000 pins for $125
RIMU PCBLow cost PCB schematic capture and routing software. Demo version is available for download
TopoRSchematic capture and PCB layout with some unique features as round edges auto-routing, made in Russia. Demo version is available for download
TINASchematic capture and PCB layout with analysis and spice. Demo version is available for download for EUR 1.00
Let me know who else should be here....

Gerber CAM/viewers

GerbvGerbv is an open-source gerber viewer which runs on Linux and Windows. It is a component of the gEDA Suite of PCB tools
Gerber viewer ONLINEOnline Gerber viewer tool, no need to register or download software, just upload your ZIP and visualize all gerber files inside. Great online tool!
GC PrevueFree gerber viewer.
ViewMateFree gerber viewer.

GerbToolCool Gerber CAM software. You can download limited demo version.

CAM 350Gerber CAM software. You can download limited demo version.

CAMTASTICGerber CAM software. You can download 45 days trial demo version.

CAMCADPCB CAD/CAM viewer / translator. You can download limited demo versions.

CAM ExpertCAD/CAM program. You can download limited demo version.

EvgraverProgarm for control of CNC engraving machine. May be used for Gerber/HPGL viewer/convertor. You can download limited demo version.

ViewPlotGerber viewer and editor.
Circuit PeopleOnline Gerber viewer.
GerberLogixGerber viewer can be download and used free for non-commercial use.
PCB InvestigatorGerber viewer can be download and used 30 days free of charge.

Common Ports for interfacing in Electronics & Digital World

IEEE-1394 (Firewire) Technology

Firewire is more commonly known by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) file number 1394. It is a type of serial bus interface similar in some ways to USB.

It is very often used for audio and video applications, such as video camera hookups, but can be used for a number of other high speed data transfer applications. Many of today's computers and laptops now contain Firewire ports.

IEEE-1394 or USB - The Similarities

There are similarities between IEEE-1394 and USB. Both are serial busses that accommodate more than one peripheral device per connection. In other words, you can set up a hierarchy of devices all connected along the same line. Also, both USB and IEEE-1394 use integrated power lines within the cable to carry power to the peripheral device. Finally, the two cables look similar, with a larger flat connector (USB type A or IEEE-1394 Type 1) and a smaller, squarer connector (USB type B or IEEE-1394 Type 2).

EEE-1394 or USB - The Differences

Though the two interfaces act and look similar, they are actually very different. First, the interface itself is different, so you can not connect an IEEE-1394 plug into a USB jack. Secondly, unlike USB which is asymmetric, meaning you always need a host on the bus, the IEEE-1394 does not always require a host. For example, you can connect two peripherals, such as a camera to a printer, without the need of a computer. Finally, they are actually quite different in data encoding so you could not passively convert USB to Firewire and back again. 

SATA, eSATA, Firewire, DIN, Mini-DIN, SCSI Connector/Applications Overview