This project is a firmware embedded systems task's objective is to implement a simple non-volatile settings manager using EEPROM emulation in RAM. The project involves storing and retrieving configuration settings (e.g., brightness level), simulating power-off by clearing RAM, and ensuring settings persist after reset.

1. Project Overview
2. Skills Tested
3. Task Details
4. Files Description
5. How to Use
6. Prerequisites
7. Building the Project
8. Apparatus
9. Uploading to the Microcontroller
10. Usage
11. Troubleshooting
12. Error Handling
13. Conclusion

• ✅ EEPROM-like data storage in RAM
• ✅ Memory read/write operations
• ✅ Use of MPLAB X Watch Window for testing
• ✅ Basic error handling (corrupt data detection)

1. Create a configuration struct to store user settings (brightness, mode).
2. Store settings in EEPROM.
3. Allow modification of settings and simulate power reset.
4. Verify settings are restored correctly after simulated power-off.

• main.c: Contains the main logic for the settings manager.
• eeprom.c: Implements EEPROM emulation functions.
• eeprom.h: Header file for EEPROM emulation functions.
• settings.c: Implements functions to manage settings.
• settings.h: Header file for settings management functions.
• Makefile: Build script for the project.
• README.md: Project documentation.

1. Build the project using the provided Makefile.
2. Run the project in MPLAB X IDE.
3. Use the MPLAB X Watch Window to test and verify the settings manager functionality.
4. Simulate power-off by clearing RAM and ensure settings persist after reset.

• MPLAB X IDE
• XC8 Compiler
• PIC16F877A Microcontroller

1. Open the project in MPLAB X IDE.
2. Ensure the XC8 compiler is selected.
3. Build the project to generate the .hex or .cof file.
4. Alternatively, you can build the project using Visual Studio Code with the MPLAB extension. Set the project output file path, name, and extension using Ctrl+Shift+P and selecting "Edit Project Properties".

Necessary components that can't be changed:

1. PIC16F877A microcontroller: To run the program.
2. Quartz Crystal and 2 1nF non-polarized capacitors.

Optional components depending on your circuit:

1. 3 Buttons
2. 3 BCD 7-segment displays.
3. 3 Resistors.

After building the project, upload the generated .hex or .cof file to the PIC16F877A microcontroller using a suitable programmer. The file can be found in either of the following paths:

1. In case of using MPLAB X IDE: dist\default\debug\Simple_EEPROM_settings_manager.X.debug.cof
2. In case of using Visual Studio Code (if the file name was set as default): out\PIC_Clock\default.hex

1. Connect the microcontroller and the necessary components as per the circuit diagram.
2. Power on the system.

• Ensure all connections are secure and correct.
• Verify the microcontroller is programmed with the correct .hex or .cof file.
• Check the power supply to the microcontroller and other components.

The project includes basic error handling to detect and manage corrupt data in the EEPROM.

This project demonstrates the implementation of a simple non-volatile settings manager using EEPROM emulation in RAM, with a focus on memory management, data persistence, and error handling.