9. September 2011 by admin.

PIC18F14K50 USB Development boards - just $11.99 + Shipping.  

Details are available here: http://store.tautic.com/pic18f14k50-usb-breakout-board.html

Looking to get started with USB development, or add USB to your latest project? You’ve come to the right place!

After the success of version 2 of this handy board, and thorough review of all of the wonderful and helpful feedback, i’m pleased to present the new and improved version 3 of my PIC18F14K50 USB Breakout Board!         

What’s new?

• Programming header holes are now 0.1″ on center - standard. No more mini-icsp headers required!

• Two new LED’s - they’re connected through a solder jumper so you can disable them if necessary. Just check the schematic for details.

• Two push buttons - One is perfect for use with the included USB HID Bootloader, and the other one is available for your use as you see fit.

• The board now offers selectable power via a jumper. You can power the board via the USB bus, or by supplying your own regulated power to the VIN and GND pins of the PWR header of the board.

• The board comes pre-loaded with a slightly modified version of Microchip’s HID Mouse demo. When you plug the board in, you’ll see the two LED’s flash alternatively (once connected to usb), and your mouse cursor will move in a circle. Press the RB4 button to start/stop the mouse movement. This simple demo verifies the board’s functionality.

• Still nice and small - This board measures just 2″ by 0.8″ (only .6″ larger than v2!)

 Schematic

Here are the features of this board

• Header are 0.1″ spaced, so if you solder standard break-away pins into the board, this board will fit nicely in a breadboard!
• Able to run off of USB bus power, no external power needed. The usb protocol allows you to draw up to about 100MA, so keep this in mind Simply place the power jumper in the right most two pins marked “BUS”.
• Able to run off of power you supply - simply apply regulated voltage to the GND and VIN pins of the PWR header, and set the power jumper to the left most two pins, marked PWR.
• The design includes a 120MA PTC (polyfuse) on the power line to help protect your USB port when using bus power.
• Microchip’s USB demo code intended for the low pin count demo board compiles fine for this board with no modification.
• In case you don’t want to use the USB HID bootloader (I use the PicKIT3 with great success)
• All of the 20 pins of the PIC18F14K50 are available on the headers, and pin numbering matches that of the PIC18F14K50.
• This board takes a lot of the time around basic design and gives you a running start.

Now shipping with Microchip’s HID Bootloader pre installed on the board!

I’ve tested this board with Microchip’s HID bootloader available in their USB framework download. While using the bootloader takes up a portion of the flash memory, it allows you to experiment with this board without access to a PicKIT3 programmer! Simply hold down the RA3 button while connecting the USB cable to enter bootloader mode. Then all you need to do is run the HID Bootloader PC application to upload your HEX file. You can get the PC program in Microchip’s USB framework. Once you’ve uploaded your file, simply cycle the power off and on, or remove and re-insert the USB cable without holding RA3 to run your program. I will flash the bootloader onto the board before shipping for your convenience and as a test to make sure the board is ready to go. You can always overwrite the base firmware with your programmer if necessary. Each board is hand assembled and tested before shipping.  

What can you do with it?

• Build an HID device (mouse, keyboard, some other kind of input device - Convert that retro controller into a USB device!)
• Use the built in ADC on the PIC to for voltage measurements and read these values on a PC. You can easily add a simple resistor based voltage divider to read higher voltages.
• Build a CDC Serial device (see Microchip’s sample code) - This is one of the quickest ways to get started in USB. Your device will show up as a new serial port on your computer, and you can interact with it just like any other serial devices you may have created in the past.
• Just about anything else you can think of related to USB, or not !

Posted in Tautic Electronics, USB, 8-bit | Print | 1 Comment »

25. August 2011 by admin.

From http://sourceforge.net/projects/usbpicprog/

usbpicprog is a Microchip PIC programmer with simple hardware: one PIC18F2550 and some components. It’s therefore easy and cheap to build. Usbpicprog consists of 3 components: Hardware, Embedded software and a stand-alone program for Win, Mac and Linux.

Posted in SourceForge, GNU General Public License (GPL), Programmer, USB, 8-bit, PIC | Print | 2 Comments »

1. August 2011 by admin.

From http://www.tautic.com/easy-usb-hid-example-for-the-pic18f14k50-breakout-board-in-mikroelektronikas-mikroc

In this article we’re going to explore creating a simple sample for getting the PIC18F14K50 USB Breakout Board up and running as a USB HID device. Unlike last time, we’ll be using MikroElektronika’s mikroC PRO for PIC (version 4.60.0.0). In this example we won’t be using Microchip’s USB HID Bootloader, but rather programming the board directly with a programmer.  I’ll be using the PICkit 3.

I like mikroC for a few reasons. The IDE itself is a pleasure to use, and I find many of the included libraries to be extremely helpful and very usable. Comparing this to other C compilers, I believe most people who are just getting started with microcontrollers and or C will find this compiler one of the easiest to use.

In this example, we’re using the USB library which will allow us to get our sample running in a very minimum number of lines of code which are also extremely easy to read. There are a few details along the way specific to the PIC18F14K50 so be sure to pay close attention.

Project files and code for this tutorial can be downloaded here: mikroC USB HID on PIC18F14K50.zip

Read all at… http://www.tautic.com/easy-usb-hid-example-for-the-pic18f14k50-breakout-board-in-mikroelektronikas-mikroc

Posted in MikroElektronika, USB, 8-bit | Print | 1 Comment »

12. May 2011 by admin.

Check out the archives of the live training from the Embedded Systems Conference in Santa Jose May 3-5.

http://www.microchip.com/en_us/events/ESCSV2011/live.html

• Designing for Smart Energy and Low Power Applications
• Connectivity Solutions featuring USB and Ethernet
• Touch Sense and Graphics Solutions

• Wireless Solutions for Embedded Design
• Development Tools Featuring MPLAB® X IDE
• Smart Energy Monitoring Metering and Control

Posted in Wireless, WiFi, Ethernet, MPASM, Seminars & Confrences, Digital Power, Smart Energy, Embedded Systems Design, Tips & Tricks, Product Review, Programmer, Touch Sensing, 16-bit, dsPIC, Motor Control, 32-bit, PIC, ZigBee, Training & Education, USB, 8-bit, Microchip | Print | 1 Comment »

11. April 2011 by admin.

Saleae Logic USB Logic Analyzer is available now with 20% discount (expires 4/30/11) on http://www.microchipdirect.com.

The Saleae Logic is an 8-channel USB Logic Analyzer that records and displays digital waveforms and decodes common protocols, like Async Serial, SPI, I2C, and UNI/O(R). It can record up to 200M samples at up to 24MHz, providing extensive debugging insight into a board level design. Logic works with 3.3V and 5V logic levels and comes complete with carrying case, E-Z-Hook probes, wire harness, and USB cable. Software - which operates in a fully-featured demo mode when no Logic is attached - can be downloaded free of charge athttp://www.saleae.com/downloads

Use coupon code TPZD4K6

Posted in Saleae, Logic Analyzer, USB | Print | 1 Comment »

5. November 2010 by admin.

 http://bit.ly/agFT8u

The Embedded.com European Newsletter is offering its readers the chance to win a PIC24FJ256DA210 Development Kit which can be used to evaluate the features and performance of the PIC24FJ256DA210 with integrated graphics, mTouch and USB. This kit is an ideal platform for new graphical human interface developers. 

The kit bundles four major components and other accessories including the PIC24FJ256DA210 Development Board (DM240312), 3.2 Truly 240×320 TFT Display Board (AC164127-4), Graphics Display Prototype Boards - 3x (AC164139), MPLAB ICD-3 Debugger with USB Cable (DV164035), 9V Power Supply (AC162039), USB A-miniB Cable and Serial Cable.

This offer is limited to readers based in Europe. For your chance to win a PIC24FJ256DA210 Development Kit click here and enter your details in the online entry form.

Posted in Graphics, Embedded Systems Design, Touch Sensing, USB, Sweepstakes, 16-bit, Development Tool | Print | 2 Comments »

26. February 2010 by admin.

For the fourth consecutive year, Embed Inc. has been awarded the prestigious GOLD level in the Microchip Technology, Inc. authorized consultant program.Their products include:LProg ultra low cost PIC programmer for the 3.3 volt only PICs.  $25 each, $60 for three.  
USBProg in-circuit USB PIC programmer for professional lab or bench use.  $80.  
The USBProg2 is the USBProg in a box.  For field use where taking a few hits is all in a day’s work.  $140.  
ProProg in-circuit PIC programmer for embedding into production fixtures.  $99.  
ReadyBoard-01 ready to go board for projects using PICs with the 28 pin footprint like the 16F886, 18F2620, etc.  Power supply, RS-232, debug LEDs and more all taken care of, with large breadboard area for your circuit.  From $66.67 to $89.99.  
ReadyBoard-02 ready to go for PIC USB projects.  Comes with 18F2550 and example software to control pins right out of the box.  Very flexible power supplies, RS-232, debug LEDs, and large breadboard area.  From $64 to $75.  
RSLink Logic level to RS-232 converter.  Converts the 0 - 5 volt UART signals of most microcontrollers to RS-232 compatible with a standard PC COM port.  Requires 5V power.  $18 for singles, $60 for five.  

RSLink2 Logic level to RS-232 converter.  Converts logic level microcontroller UART signals to RS-232.  Runs on 3.0 to 5.5 volt power.  $20 for singles, $69 for five.  

Posted in Embed Inc, RS-232, Programmer, USB, PIC | Print | 1 Comment »

12. February 2010 by admin.

From: http://www.mikroe.com/en/compilers/mikrobasic/pro/dspic/ Basic compiler for dsPIC30/33 and PIC24 microcontrollers
A beginner? Worry not. Easy-to-learn BASIC syntax, advanced compiler features, built-in routines, and many examples we have provided allow a fast start in programming dsPIC30/33 and PIC24. 

Fully functional free Demo version of mikroBasic PRO for dsPIC30/33 and PIC24 2010 is available for download.

PRO Price: $199 USD  Buy it now and get freeproduct lifetime support.Buy mikroBasic with one of our dsPIC30 or dsPIC33/PIC24 development boards at 25% discount on compiler price! All of our previous customers are entitled to the discount! Price: $149 USD  

Posted in Free Demo, MikroElektronika, Programmer, Complier, USB | Print | 1 Comment »

7. January 2010 by admin.

From: http://cgi.ebay.com/QL200-PIC-MCU-Development-Board-kits-USB-Programmer-LCD_W0QQitemZ260526631335QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20091221?IMSfp=TL091221173008r37774

QL200 is an integrated demo system for study and development of PIC Microcontroller, which is provided with four functions of experimental instrument, programmer, simulation interface and ICSP download cable. Enclosed with control CPU and combined with programming software which has independent intellectual property rights, the system is able to support over 90 percent of the experiments and development practices of PIC Microcontroller. (more)

Posted in LCD, Ebay, USB, Development Tool | Print | 1 Comment »

13. November 2009 by admin.

from http://www.electropages.com/viewArticle.aspx?intArticle=14210 

Now available from Farnell - Microchip’s PICKit 3-XLP bundle combines the PICKit Debug Express 3 with the PIC18F46J50 FS USB Demo Board, XLP PIC samples and a CD including a C compiler, applications notes and training videos. The PICkit 3-XLP bundle is all an engineer needs to evaluate the new NanoWatt XLP Technology from Microchip.    The next-generation nanoWatt XLP eXtreme Low Power microcontrollers lead the industry with sleep currents as low as 20nA.  These three new 8- and 16-bit MCU families join three other recent 8-bit families that are all part of Microchip’s nanoWatt XLP portfolio, providing designers with a rich and compatible low-power migration path that includes on-chip peripherals for USB and mTouch sensing solutions. This industry-leading combination of low power consumption and functionality makes these PIC MCUs ideal for any battery-powered or power-constrained application.

The Kit includes the following PIC MCUs: PIC18F14K50-I/SO , PIC18F14K50-I/SS, PIC16F722-I/SS, PIC18F45K20-I/PT, PIC18F46J11-I/PT and PIC18F46J50-I/PT.   The PICkit 3 In-Circuit Debugger / Programmer uses in-circuit debugging logic incorporated into each chip with Flash memory to provide a low-cost hardware debugger and programmer. In-circuit debugging offers the benefit of programming all PIC MCUs without the need for expensive sockets or adapters.   The PIC18F46J50 FS USB Demo Board is a USB 2.0 full speed and low speed demonstration and development board featuring the PIC18F46J50. This PIM is recommended as an initial stand-alone USB development platform for applications that will be using any of the PIC18F46J50 family microcontrollers. This board can also be used as a Plug-In Module (PIM) to the HPC Explorer Board or the PIC18 Explorer Board for additional functionality.   Also, included in the bundle are CDs containing the CCS compiler, HI-TECH PICC LITE C Compiler, datasheets, app notes, deep sleep training and NanoWatt XLP Demonstration videos, PIC Kit 3 User’s Guide and MPLAB IDE software, says the company.

Posted in Low Power, ICD, Farnell, USB, 16-bit, 8-bit, Development Tool | Print | 1 Comment »