Proton Simulation

The Proton Development Suite includes a Virtual Hardware simulator based on the Proteus VSM (Virtual System Modelling) suite from Labcenter Electronics. The Virtual Hardware simulator replicates the most popular Proton development boards, to allow simulation of PIC BASIC program code within the proton hardware development environment.

The Proton development hardware consists of a number of development boards carrying various pre–wired peripheral devices to allow development of code on verified hardware platforms. Proton development boards support general purpose development, including Graphics LCD, through InfraRed communications to smart cards and secure memory. The Virtual Hardware Boards (VHB) included with the Proton Development Suite contain a microprocessor (a PIC12, PIC16 or PIC18 variant) and have a host of commonly used peripherals ‘prewired’ to the processor (Alphanumeric and Graphical LCD’s, RS232 Terminal, Keypads and I2C Memories for example). You can therefore simulate your program in software including the interaction between the processor and the electronics connected to it.  

Virtual System Modelling (VSM) allows simulations to free run or run in single step mode allowing you to single step through your PIC Basic code and observe the effect of each line of program code on the entire design. The Proton Development Suite is supplied with a number of sample programs that can be used as is, or you can modify and run on the Virtual Hardware Boards.

Included Virtual Models

The ISIS bundled with the Proton Development Suite features 6 virtual models of the Proton Development Board for simulation based on:

  • 12F675 PICmicro® (8-pin 14bit core)
  • 16F628A PICmicro® (18-pin 14bit core)
  • 16F877 PICmicro® (40-pin 14bit core) with Alphanumeric LCD
  • 16F877 PICmicro® (40-pin 14bit core) with Graphic LCD
  • 18F452 PICmicro® (40-pin 16bit core) with Alphanumeric LCD
  • 18F452 PICmicro® (40-pin 16bit core) with Graphic LCD
Integration

When used with the Proton Development Suite Proteus VSM is driven entirely from within the Proton IDE allowing seamless integration between writing your programs and simulating them in software. As well as full integration with Proton VSM, Proton IDE will provide the same level of integration with the full version of Proteus VSM.

The Proton version of Proteus VSM is included in the price of the Development Suite, however, if you want to change the design of the Virtual Hardware Boards or design your own circuit for a project, you will need to purchase a licence for the full Proteus VSM software.

Purchasing a licence for Proteus VSM will provide the following additional functionality:

  • The ability to create, modify and simulate your own designs using any components from the Proteus libraries.
  • Fully featured professional schematic capture and mixed mode SPICE simulator.
  • Over 6000 simulation models including CMOS 4000 and 74 TTL logic families, relays, memory IC’s and many more.
  • Twelve Virtual Instruments including a Logic Analyser, Digital Pattern Generator, Analogue Signal Generator, I2C Monitor and Counter Timer.
  • Additional variants for the processor family purchased. The number of variants supplied is dependant on the product purchased.

More information on the full version of Proteus VSM and its variants can be found here