MICROCHIP Low-Cost Development Tools Technical data

Low-Cost Development Tools

Low-Cost Development Tools Guide

For use with Analog and Interface Products, Microcontrollers, Digital
Signal Controllers, Memory, K

EELOQ

®

and Wireless Products

Microchip offers a wide range of
development tools – all designed to
help you achieve faster time to market.
For a complete listing of Microchip
products, users guides, data sheets
and technical information, visit our web
site at: www.microchip.com

Winter 2007

Getting Started

All Products ....................................... 1

Analog and Memory Products

Linear Products .................................. 2

Interface Products .............................. 3

Mixed Signal Products ........................ 4

Power Management Products .............. 5

Thermal Management Products ........... 9

Blank and Other Eval PCBs .................10

Analog Software Tools .........................10

Wireless Products

Infrared Products (IrDA) .....................11

Radio Frequency Products (RF) ...........11

PIC® MCU and dsPIC® DSC Products

Standard Demo Boards.......................12

Communication and Display Products ..15

Programmers .....................................16

Software Tools ...................................16

Application Software and Libraries .......17

GETTING STARTED

All Products

PIC32 Starter Kit

Part Number: DM320001

The fully integrated PIC32 Starter Kit features simple
installation, getting started tutorial and PIC32 Starter Kit
board with easy USB connection to your PC. The starter

kit includes: MPLAB® IDE and MPLAB C32 C Compiler
(Student Edition), PIC32 Starter Kit board with integrated debugger, code
examples, full documentation, tutorials and sample projects.

Explorer 16 Starter Kit

Part Number: DV164033

A complete set of tools for application development
using the PIC24F, PIC24H and dsPIC33F 16-bit
families. The kit includes MPLAB ICD 2, Explorer 16

Development Board, 9V universal power supply, serial
cable and both a PIC24FJ128GA010 and dsPIC33F256GP710 PIM. Tutorials,
user manuals, MPLAB IDE and MPLAB C30 C Compiler (student edition) are
included.

PICkit™ 2 Starter Kit

Part Number: DV164120

PICkit 2 is small, easy-to-use starter kit that enables
users to start writing code and programming with
PIC® MCUs. Features full-speed USB support and
firmware upgradeability in a low-cost tool. Includes
a low pin-count demo board. Upgrade firmware for
debugger function.

SEEVAL®32 Serial EEPROM Eval Kit

Part Number: DV243002

An evaluation and programming system supporting
all Microchip Serial EEPROMS. Using a ZIF socket,
standard DIP packages are directly supported. The
SEEVAL 32 kit gives the designer the ability to read,

write or erase any byte, page or the entire array,
and to display, save or load this data as a file. The SEEVAL 32 kit provides
support for Windows® XP, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows NT® 4.0
and Windows 95/98.

NEW

Low-Cost Development Tools Guide

ANALOG AND MEMORY PRODUCTS
Linear Products

MCP6XXX Amplifier Eval Board 1

Part Number: MCP6XXXEV-AMP1

This board is designed to support voltage
followers, inverting/non-inverting amplifiers,
comparators and differentiators.

MCP6XXX Amplifier Eval Board 2

Part Number: MCP6XXXEV-AMP2

This amplifier evaluation board supports
inverting/non-inverting summing amplifiers.

MCP6XXX Amplifier Eval Board 3

Part Number: MCP6XXXEV-AMP3

This board is designed to support the
difference amplifier circuits which are generated
by the Mindi™ Amplifier Designer.

MCP6XXX Amplifier Eval Board 4

Part Number: MCP6XXXEV-AMP4

The MCP6XXX Amplifier Evaluation Board 4
is designed to support the inverting integrator
circuit.

Mindi™ Amplifier Designer can be used to design, simulate and
validate op amp circuits.

MCP6271 Active Filter Eval Kit

Part Number: MCP6XXXDM-FLTR

This kit supports active filters designed by
FilterLab® V2.0. These filters are all pole and
are built by cascading first and second order
sections. The kit includes: one PCB designed

printed circuit boards, four PCBs that support active filter designs
with filter order between n = 1 and 8 (output test point for lab
equipment provided) and op amps, zero ohm jumpers, resistors and
capacitors that can be used to help build filters

to provide mid-supply biasing to the other

.

NEW

NEW

NEW

NEW

MCP6S2X PGA Eval Board

Part Number: MCP6S2XEV

This board provides a versatile selection of
input channels and gains to evaluate device
performance and supports multiple input signal
sources. Two devices can be cascaded to
produce gain to 1024 V/V.

MCP6SX2 PGA Photodiode PICtail™ Demo Board

Part Number: MCP6SX2DM-PCTLPD

Opens possibilities to process other sensor signals.
Increases the number of PIC MCU I/O pins available
for other purposes. Features a PNZ334 photo-diode,
MCP6001U op amp and MCP6S22 and MCP6S92
Programmable Gain Amplifiers (PGA).

MCP6SX2 PGA Thermistor PICtail™ Demo Board

Part Number: MCP6SX2DM-PCTLTH

Features MCP6S22 and MCP6S92 PGAs.
Helps overcome non-linear response of the
on-board NTC thermistor. Opens possibilities

of temperature-correcting another sensor,
and increasing the number of PIC MCU I/O pins available for other
purposes.

Humidity Sensor PICtail™ Demo Board

Part Number: PIC16F690DM-PCTLHS

This board supports the capacitive humidity
sensor application note AN1016. It measures
the capacitance of a relative humidity
sensor plugged into the board. The on-board

microcontroller sends the measured and
calculated relative humidity (RH) to a PC for display. The board can
also measure small capacitors in different ranges of values using a
dual slope integration method.

MCP6S22 PGA PICtail™ Demo Board

Part Number: MCP6S22DM-PICTL

This board evaluates/demonstrates Microchip’s
MCP6S21/2/6/8 Programmable Gain Amplifier
(PGA) family. Interface this board with the
PICkit 1 Flash Starter Kit to demonstrate

and PGA devices, while allowing modification and development of
firmware for specific requirements.

2

firmware integration between the PIC MCU

Low-Cost Development Tools Guide

Interface Products

PICkit™ Serial I2C™ Demo Board

Part Number: PKSERIAL-I2C1

This board was designed to easily connect

The serial analyzer provides the I

to the PICkit Serial Analyzer (DV164122).

communications and power for the PICkit Serial I
The devices on the demo board operate in the I
and can easily be connected to virtually any demo or development
board by connecting the communications lines to connector P1.

2

C master mode serial

2

C demo board.

2

C slave mode

PICkit™ Serial SPI Demo Board

Part Number: PKSERIAL-SPI1

This demo board was designed to easily

(DV164122). The serial analyzer provides the SPI master mode
serial communications and power for the PICkit Serial SPI demo
board. The devices on the demo board operate in the SPI slave
mode and can easily be connected to virtually any demo or
development board by connecting the communications lines to
connector P1.

connect to the PICkit Serial Analyzer

GPIO Expander Keypad and LCD Demo Board

Part Number: GPIODM-KPLCD

The GPIO Expander Keypad and LCD Demo Board is
designed to demonstrate the use of the MCP23S08/17
(SPI interface) and the MCP23008/17 (I
devices in a keypad and LCD example. The MCP23X17
(16-bit) devices interface to a 2x16 LCD module and
the MCP23X08 (8-bit) devices interface to a 4x4 keyed
matrix.

2

C interface)

MCP212X Developer’s Daughter Board

Part Number: MCP212XEV-DB

Evaluates and demonstrates the MCP2122 or
MCP2120 IrDA® Standard Encoder/Decoder
devices. A header allows the MCP212X daughter
board to be easily jumpered into systems
for development purposes. This board also

interfaces with these new low-cost PIC
demo boards: PICDEM™ HPC Explorer, PICDEM FS USB and
PICDEM LCD demo board.

MCP215X/40 Developer’s Daughter Board

Part Number: MCP215X/40EV-DB

Used to evaluate and demonstrate the

MCP2150, MCP2155 or the MCP2140 IrDA

Standard Protocol Handler with Encoder/Decoder

devices. Headers allow the MCP215X/40

Developer’s daughter board to be easily

purposes. This board also interfaces with these new low-cost
PIC MCU demo boards: PICDEM HPC Explorer, PICDEM FS USB and
PICDEM LCD demo board.

jumpered into systems for development

NEW

NEW

MCU

MCP23X08 8-bit GPIO Expander Eval Board

Part Number: MCP23X08EV

Demonstrates simple input/output functionality
of the MCP23008 (I2C interface) and the
MCP23S08 (SPI interface). The system
demonstrates the simplicity of monitoring four
inputs and applying the level to associated
outputs.

MCP23X17 16-bit GPIO Expander Eval Board

Part Number: MCP23X17EV

This board demonstrates the simple input/
output functionality of the MCP23017 (I

interface) and the MCP23S17 (SPI interface).
The system demonstrates the simplicity of monitoring four pins
configured as inputs and applying a predetermined pattern on LEDs
connected to the remaining 12 pins configured as outputs.

2

C

MCP250XX CAN I/O Expander Developer’s Kit

Part Number: DV250501

Supporting CAN V2.0B active with bus rates up
to 1 Mb/s, this kit includes everything needed
to demonstrate, design, develop and configure a
CAN node using the MCP250XX CAN I/O Expander
family of products.

MCP2510/2515 CAN Developer’s Kit

Part Number: DV251001

This developer’s kit offers a unique combination of
a software development tool and a CAN message/
communication tool. This kit helps speed up
software development and enable introduction of
CAN to those who are unfamiliar with the protocol.

MCP2515 CAN Controller PICtail™ Demo Board

Part Number: MCP2515DM-PCTL

This demo board implements a simple CAN
bus using two nodes. One using the MCP2515
stand alone CAN controller and the other
using the MCP25020 CAN I/O Expander. Each

output (LED). The boards demonstrate a simple, inexpensive
implementation of a CAN bus.

node utilizes one input (push button) and one

3

Low-Cost Development Tools Guide

Mixed Signal Products

MCP3421 Battery Fuel Gauge Demo Board

Part Number: MCP3421DM-BFG

This board is used to demonstrate the
MCP3421 18-bit delta-sigma ADC for battery
fuel gauging applications. It includes two

Li-Ion/Li-Polymer Charger) and PIC18F4550 MCU. The board
measures: (1) the battery voltage and (2) the current coming out
from the battery in the discharging mode and into the battery in the
charging mode using the ADC device (if charging mode is enabled
(optional)). It calculates the total fuel used and also remaining
fuels.

MCP3421 devices, MCP73831 (single cell

MCP2030 Bidirectional Communications
Demo Kit

Part Number: MCP2030DM-TPR

This kit demonstrates short range
bidirectional communication applications

consists of two units: a base station unit and a transponder unit.
The features and concepts demonstrated by the demo kit can be
used for low frequency (LF) sensing and various hands-free access
control security applications.

using the features of the MCP2030. The kit

MCP3421 SOT-23-6 Eval Board

Part Number: MCP3421EV

This eval board is designed to make handling
of the MCP3421 in a tiny SOT-23-6 package
easier. The board contains only the MCP3421, I

loading resistors, V
corresponding pins of the MCP3421 device, allowing an easy
method to connect to the target board for evaluation.

DD decoupling capacitors and

MCP4725 SOT-23-6 Eval Board

Part Number: MCP4725EV

This board is designed to make handling of the
MCP4725 in a tiny SOT-23-6 package easier. The board
contains only the MCP4725, I
decoupling capacitors and corresponding pins of the
MCP4725 device, allowing an easy method to connect to
the target board for evaluation.

2

C loading resistors, VDD

MCP3221 12-bit A/D PICtail™ Demo Board

Part Number: MCP3221DM-PCTL

Designed to demonstrate the MCP3221 device using
DataView Windows software for a graphical real-time
data analysis from the board through USB. This demo
board can also be used for firmware development to
the MCP3221 device using the PICkit 1 Flash Starter
Kit.

NEW

NEW

NEW

2

C

NEW

MCP355X Tiny Application Sensor Demo Board

Part Number: MCP355XDM-TAS

This 1” x 1” board is designed to demonstrate
the performance of the MCP3550/1/3 devices
in a simple low-cost application. The circuit uses
a ratiometric sensor configuration and uses the
system power supply as the voltage reference.

MCP355X Sensor Applications Developer’s Board

Part Number: MCP355XDV-MS1

This board allows for easy design of high
resolution systems such as weigh scale,
temperature sensing or other small signal

circuits. The reference design includes LCD display firmware that
performs all the necessary functions including ADC sampling,
USB communication for PC data analysis, LCD display output, zero
cancellation, full scale calibration and units display in gram (g),
kilogram (kg) or ADC output units.

systems requiring precise signal conditioning

MCP3551 Delta-Sigma ADC Demo Board

Part Number: MCP3551DM-PCTL

Designed to demonstrate the MCP3551 device’s
22-bit Delta-Sigma Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)
performance using DataView software installed on a
PC. This demo board can be used with MPLAB ICD 2,
PICkit 1 Flash Starter Kit or PICkit 2 for developing
demonstration/evaluation firmware.

MCP3905 Energy Meter Eval Board

Part Number: MCP3905EV

This evaluation board is designed to test out a
variety of energy meter designs. On the input side
high-voltage line and load AC-plug headers are
included, along with mounting holes for shunts,

for wiring. On the output side a large prototype area is included
along with optical isolation and a standard PICtail header for
experiments with a variety of PIC

current transformers and screw-type connections

MCU-based energy meter designs.

MCP3905 Energy Meter Reference Design

Part Number: MCP3905RD-PM1

A stand-alone low-cost energy meter that
can act as either a stand alone energy

LCD MCU-based meters. This design is specified with an energy
measurement error of 0.1% typical across 1:500 dynamic range
for high accurate energy meter designs and is compliant with EMC
requirements per energy metering standards IEC62053 and legacy
IEC61036, IEC1046 and IEC687.

meter, or as the analog front end design for

4

Low-Cost Development Tools Guide

MCP4XXX Digital Potentiometer Daughter Board

Part Number: MCP4XXXDM-DB

This board allows evaluation of the MCP42XXX
and MCP402X Digital Potentiometers. The
MCP42XXX are dual digital potentiometer devices
that have the same characteristics as the single

The MCP402X devices are non-volatile and have similar
characteristics to their volatile memory versions (MCP401X).
The board supports two MCP42XXX devices to allow the resistor
networks to be “stacked” and form a programmable windowed
digital potentiometer. The board also has a voltage doubler device
(TC1240A), which can be used to show the WiperLock™ Technology
feature of the MCP4021.

digital potentiometer devices (MCP41XXX).

MCP402X Non-Volatile Digital Potentiometer
Eval Board

Part Number: MCP402XEV

This low-cost board enables user’s to exercise all
of the features of the MCP401X and MCP402X
devices. Kit includes one populated and one
unpopulated PCB. The populated board has

configured as a “windowed” potentiometer using a 2.5 kΩ pull-up
and a 2.5 kΩ pull-down resistor. The PCB supports the 8-pin SOIC,
SOT-23-6 and SOT-23-5 package variations. The unpopulated PCB
allows user’s to build the exact combination of components their
application requires.

an MCP4021-103E/SN digital potentiometer

Mixed-Signal PICtail™ Demo Board

Part Number: MXSIGDM

Quickly and accurately evaluates performance
of Microchip DACs, A/D converters, LDOs,

V
to the PICkit 1 Flash Starter Kit. Can use with a PIC16F767 for
stand-alone operation. Supports many Microchip mixed-signal
devices (surface mount footprint).

REFs and operational amplifiers. Interfaces

Power Management Products

MCP1602 Eval Board

Part Number: MCP1602EV

The MCP1602 eval board demonstrates the
features and capabilities of the MCP1602 500
mA PFM/PWM Synchronous buck regulator.
The MCP1602 is a step-down (Buck) switching

regulator with a power-good monitor to provide a
highly integrated solution for systems that require supply voltage
between 0.8V to 4.5V from a 2.7V to 5.5V input. The board
includes a MCP1602 circuit that has a Shutdown feature and a
4-position dip switch to select between different output voltages.

MCP1603 Buck Converter Eval Board

Part Number: MCP1603EV

The Buck Converter eval board uses a
MCP1603 device in a step-down application. The
evaluation board is a fully functional platform to
evaluate the MCP1603 buck regulator over its
entire input voltage, output voltage and current
range.

MCP1630 Boost Mode LED Driver Demo Board

Part Number: MCP1630DM-LED2

This demo board is a step-up, switch-mode,
DC-DC converter used for power LED applications.
The demo board provides a 350 mA or 700 mA
constant current source with a jumper selection.
The input operating voltage range is 9-16VDC and
the board can supply up to 30W to a string of
power LEDs.

MCP1630 Low-Cost NiMH Battery Charger
Ref Design

Part Number: MCP1630RD-NMC1

This reference design board is pre-programmed
to charge 3 NiMH cells. The charge profile and
number of batteries can be changed with firmware.
The design uses the MCP1630 high-speed analog
PWM combined with the PIC microcontroller.

NEW

NEW

NEW

NEW

MCP1630V Bidirectional 4 Cell Li-Ion Charger
Ref Design

Part Number: MCP1630RD-DDBK3

This charger reference design demonstrates the
use of a bidirectional buck-boost converter to
charge multiple series cell Li-Ion batteries with the
presence of an input source (boost) and provide a
regulated output voltage when the input source is
removed (buck), while evaluating the MCP1630V
device.

NEW

5

Low-Cost Development Tools Guide

MCP1631HV Multi-Chemistry Battery Charger
Ref Design

Part Number: MCP1631RD-MCC1

This reference design is a complete stand-alone
constant current battery charger for NiMH, NiCd or
constant current/constant voltage for Li-Ion battery
packs. When charging NiMH or NiCd batteries, the

reference design is capable of charging one, two,
three or four batteries connected in series and one or two series
batteries for Li-Ion. This board utilizes the MCP1631HV (high-speed
PIC MCU PWM TSSOP-20) and PIC16F883 (28-pin SSOP).

MCP7381X Low Cost Li-Ion Battery Charger

NEW

NEW

Eval Board

Part Number: MCP7381XEV

The MCP7381X Charger evaluation board demonstrates the
features and abilities of the MCP73811 and MCP73812 simple,
miniature single-cell, fully integrated Li-Ion/Li-polymer charge
management controllers. The MCP73811/2 are standalone highly
integrated linear Li-Ion battery chargers that employ a Constant
Current/Constant Voltage (CCCV) charge algorithm for cost
sensitive and space limited applications.

MCP73837/8 AC/USB Dual Input

NEW

Battery Charger Eval Board

Part Number: MCP7383XEV-DIBC

This battery charger evaluation board
demonstrates the features and abilities of the
MCP73837 and MCP73838 single-chip linear
Li-Ion battery charger with autonomous AC

These stand-alone highly integrated linear battery charger
management controllers employ a Constant Current/Constant
Voltage (CCCV) charge algorithm with selectable preconditioning
and charge termination ratio.

TC110 Boost Converter Demo Board

adapter or USB port power source selection.

NEW

Part Number: TC110DM

The TC110 demo board can charge Li-Ion batteries
with single-cell alkaline battery or 2-cell alkaline
battery at maximum 500 mA constant current. It
is used to evaluate Microchip’s TC110 PFM/PWM
Step-Up DC/DC Controller. The board also includes a
MCP73832 miniature single-cell, fully integrated Li-Ion,
Li-Polymer charge management controller.

MCP1252 Charge Pump Backlight Demo Board

Part Number: MCP1252DM-BKLT

Demonstrates the use of a charge pump
device in an LED application and acts as a
platform to evaluate the MCP1252 device
in general. Light intensity is controlled

A PIC10F206 MCU provides an enable signal to the MCP1252
and accepts a push-button input that allows the white LEDs to be
adjusted to five different light intensities.

uniformly through the use of ballast resistors.

MCP1256/7/8/9 Charge Pump Eval Board

Part Number: MCP1256/7/8/9EV

An evaluation and demonstration tool for the
MCP1256/7/8/9 regulated 3.3V, low-ripple charge
pumps with low-operating current Sleep mode or
Bypass mode. The board is set-up to evaluate
simple, stand-alone, DC-to-DC conversion. The
two evaluation circuits provided, demonstrate the
versatility of the MCP1256/7/8/9 family.

MCP1601 Buck Regulator Eval Board

Part Number: MCP1601EV

For both battery-powered and distributed- power
applications. Operates over a 2.7V to 5.5V
input range while delivering 500 mA of output
current.

MCP1612 Synchronous Buck Regulator Eval Board

Part Number: MCP1612EV

Features a 1A 1.4 MHz synchronous buck
regulator in two buck converter applications. The
applications use the 8-lead MSOP and 8-lead DFN
packages respectively. Selectable output voltages
and a shutdown terminal are available on each
converter.

MCP1630 Automotive Input Boost Converter
Demo Board

Part Number: MCP1630DM-DDBS1

Demonstrates the MCP1630/V high-speed
pulse width modulator used for automotive
applications. When used with a microcontroller,
the MCP1630/V devices control the power system
duty cycle to provide regulated output voltage. The

programmable PIC12F683 microcontroller is used
to provide oscillator pulses at switching frequency of 500 kHz and
set maximum duty cycle. The user may also modify or develop their
own firmware routines to further evaluate the MCP1630/V devices
in this application.

MCP1630 Coupled Inductor Boost Demo Board

Part Number: MCP1630DM-DDBS2

This board demonstrates Microchip’s high-speed
Pulse Width Modulator (PWM) used in a coupled
inductor design. When used with a programmable
PIC12F683 microcontroller, the MCP1630 device
controls the power system duty cycle to provide

different regulated output voltages from 15V-40V,
generates oscillator pulses, reference voltage, output voltage
selection and ON/OFF of converter using push button S1. The user
can also modify or develop their own firmware routines to further
evaluate the MCP1630 device in this application.

6