Programming Microcontroller via Hierarchical Finite State Machine

Abstract

This research focused on programming the microcontroller by using Hierarchical Finite State Machine (HFSM) method. FSM is a mathematical model of computation method which used to design both computer programs and sequential logic circuits. Besides Programmable Logic Controllers and high level programming languages to control electro pneumatic actuators, this HFSM method simplified overall designing and programming process of an electro pneumatic system. By using HFSM software, we can design algorithms of a process and generate program codes automatically. Thus, HFSM makes the designing process easier to understand even by a novice customer in industry whom does not have prior knowledge in programming language. In addition, troubleshooting, rectify problems or any changes are easily applied in HFSM designing process because it involves mostly diagrams in comparison to high level programming language such as C or C++. Even though FSM has been used in many systems, this research mainly focuses on generating program codes and downloading into microcontroller to execute program in some particular application such as material sorting, pick and place and material detection. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.