Demonstration Board tests PICmicro® Flash microcontrollers.
Press Release Summary:
PICDEM(TM) 4 Demonstration Board offers multiple socket options for flexibility and immediate programming and debugging. Product offers low pin-count part features such as Local Interconnect Network and motor control using capture/compare/PWM module. Offerings include RS-232 interface, EEPROM footprint, 2 x 16 LCD, PCB footprints for H-Bridge motor driver, LIN transceiver, and in-circuit debugger connector. Jumpers allow on-board hardware to be disabled to eliminate current draw.
Original Press Release:
Microchip Technology Announces Demo Board For Low Pin-Count Flash PICmicro(r) Microcontrollers
CHANDLER, Ariz., April 21, 2003 [NASDAQ: MCHP - Microchip Technology Inc, a leader in providing Microcontroller and Analog Semiconductors, today announced the PICDEM(tm) 4 Demonstration Board for the Company's low pin-count PICmicro(r) Flash microcontrollers, including the recently launched PIC16F and PIC18F microcontroller families featuring nanoWatt Technology. NanoWatt Technology refers to Microchip's advanced PMOS Electrically Erasable Cell (PEEC) process technology, circuit design, manufacturing and application techniques.
For $129, designers receive a demonstration tool that offers multiple socket options for increased flexibility and immediate programming and debugging.
Microchip's wide range of demonstration tools provide design engineers with hands-on demonstrations of emerging technologies, thereby shortening design cycles and time to market with the ability to rapidly evaluate and learn a particular technology.
The PICDEM 4 Demonstration Board can be used to evaluate and demonstrate the capabilities of Microchip's 8-, 14-, and 18-pin PIC12F, PIC16F and PIC18F microcontrollers. The demonstration board showcases many features of low pin-count parts, including Local Interconnect Network (LIN) and motor control features using the enhanced capture/compare/PWM module (ECCP). Low-power operation is achieved with a supercapacitor circuit and jumpers allow the on-board hardware to be disabled to eliminate current draw in this mode.
Included on the demonstration board are provisions for crystal, RC or canned oscillator modes and a 5-volt regulator for use with a 9-volt wall adapter or battery, or hooks for a 5-volt, 100 mA regulated DC supply. Additional features include an RS-232 interface, an EEPROM footprint, 2x16 liquid crystal display, PCB footprints for an H-Bridge motor driver, LIN transceiver, and an in-circuit debugger (ICD) connector for programming via In-Circuit Serial Programming(tm) (ICSP(tm)) technology and developing with the MPLAB(r) ICD 2. A header for expansion, eight LEDs, four potentiometers, three push buttons and a generous prototyping area are also included.
By connecting the PICDEM 4 Demonstration Board to an MPLAB ICD 2, a designer can develop, simulate, debug and download code to the microcontroller using Microchip's powerful graphical MPLAB Interactive Development Environment (IDE). Tutorial firmware and samples of a PIC16F and PIC18F Flash microcontroller are included to assist the user in becoming familiar with the PICDEM 4 Demonstration Board and demonstrate the unique features of the supported devices.
Available in May, the PICDEM 4 Demonstration Board (DM163014) includes two PICmicro Flash microcontrollers and a CD-ROM containing sample programs, application notes and user's guide. The MPLAB ICD 2 (DV164007) is available as a stand-alone unit for $188. Microchip's MPLAB IDE software can be downloaded for free from Microchip web site. For more information, contact Microchip's Literature Line at 480.792.7668 or contact any authorized Microchip distributor around the world or visit Microchip's website at www.microchip.com.
Microchip Technology Inc. manufactures the popular PICmicro(r) field-programmable RISC microcontrollers, which serve 8- and 16-bit embedded control applications, and a broad spectrum of high performance linear and mixed-signal, power management and thermal management devices. The Company also offers complementary microperipheral products including interface devices; microID(r) RFID devices; serial EEPROMs; and the patented KEELOQ(r) security devices. This synergistic product portfolio targets thousands of applications and a growing demand for high-performance designs in the automotive, communications, computing, consumer and industrial control markets. The Company's quality systems are ISO 9001 (1994 version) and QS9000 (1998 version) certified. Microchip is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona with design facilities in Mountain View, California, Bangalore, India; and a European Design Center in Lausanne, Switzerland; semiconductor fabrication facilities in Tempe and Chandler, Arizona; Gresham, Oregon; and Puyallup, Washington; and assembly and test operations near Bangkok, Thailand. Microchip employs approximately 3,350 people worldwide and has sales offices throughout Asia, Europe, Japan and the Americas. More information on the Company can be found at www.microchip.com.
