PIC32 DEMOBOARD – assembled

Description

Demoboard designed and built to be used as a starter kit, allowing the user to discover the features of the PIC32MX795F512L microcontroller (with which it is equipped) and learn to program it. It features the following peripherals, useful for evaluating and testing the microcontroller: a solid-state thermometer TC72 and an SD memory slot using the SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) protocol; a small I²C network consisting of an MCP23008 port expander (in turn connected to 8 LEDs) and an I²C EEPROM 24LC16B; thanks to this small I²C network, applications related to this protocol can be developed and verified; a PIC12F1822 microcontroller, interfaced through the UART port, which in turn is connected to a button and two LEDs (which can also be managed using PWM); two potentiometers connected to as many analog inputs; two generic user LEDs (User1 and User2), connected directly to two pins of the main microcontroller, also usable via dedicated PWM; a 16×2 character display to show all information of interest; a joystick movable in four directions with an internal switch. Completing the board’s equipment are two expansion headers with a double row of twenty-four pins (12×2). For greater flexibility, programming connections are provided both via a six-pin header for use with a PicKit and via an RJ11 connector for programming with an ICD3. Additionally, given the presence of the two microcontrollers (PIC32 and PIC12), a header on the board allows selecting which one to program.

MPLAB X

MPLab X is the new integrated development environment produced and distributed by Microchip to replace MPLab IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Specifically designed for developing applications with microcontrollers from the various families produced by Microchip Technology (thus supporting all the various 8, 16, and 32-bit cores). It is an environment based on the multi-language, multi-platform NetBeans IDE, developed by Oracle, and therefore benefits from all the features of the IDE from which it derives, such as the ability to expand its functionality through plug-ins. The following figure outlines the main components of this powerful development system, which has the following parts.

Main Features of the PIC32MX795F512L Microcontroller

• USB (Channels, Speed, Compliance): 1, FS Host/OTG, USB 2.0 OTG
• Output Compare/Std. PWM: 5
• 16-bit Digital Timers: 5
• Parallel Port: PMP16
• Comparators: 2
• Internal Oscillator: 8 MHz, 32 kHz
• I/O Pins: 83
• Pin Count: 100

Documentation and Useful Links

• Course dedicated to Microchip’s MPLABX development system. Download your copy now using the following link.
• MPLAB® XC Compilers
• SW Demo
• Datasheet