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  • Author Author: robotonics
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Road Testing the Microchip PIC24E Starter Kit

robotonics

I started my road test of the DM240012 PIC24EP512GU810-I/PFPIC24EP512GU810-I/PF starter kit this week, and so far I am quite impressed. This post is not a review, it is just a blog on my progress so far, and some ideas I wanted to record.

 

After unpacking the kit and settling down, I realised that I had never used the PIC24EP512GU810-I/PFPIC24EP512GU810-I/PF before, I am currently working with a PIC24F device. I then had to download the latest version of the Microchip Application Libraries as my current version did not support the PIC24E. I also updated my version of C30 compiler to version 3.31 from 3.25.

 

Within 5 minutes I had loaded a USB flash memory demo and managed to store a jpeg file on the microcontroller. You will be able to read more in detail when I publish my review next week...

 

However, I was soon through the Demo's and wondering what to do next. I was glad to see the expansion connector, even if it was a little daunting to think about making a prototype board, with a Hirose FX10A 120 pin 0.5mm connector at a cost of £5.22 each!

 

I know there are expansion boards provided by Microchip. I havent got one, and like to make my own anyway.

 

Therefore, I have ordered 2 from Farnell and am awaiting delivery, in the meantime I am designing a board to connect the starter kit to, one general prototyping board, and one more application specific, a WIFI board.

 

I will post more as the design progresses, and will post all files if you wish to make one for yourself.

  • Finally, I have managed to connect the PIC24E+MRF24WB0MA to the internet through my router...the demo page loaded straight away and I was able to toggle led's and buttons on the board through the webpage.

     

     

    The first part of the video above shows me accessing my router admin page to check when the module is connected, once connection is confirmed, I then access the web page for the demo, the web page resides in the PIC memory. Once the page has loaded you can see me selecting led's on the webpage, the corresponding led's on the board then light up...simples!

  • I have now managed to verify that the Wifi Module (MRF24WB0MA) actually works, I have managed to connect to it...however, I am still working out the exact configuration needed to connect to my router...

     

    image

  • Well, progress at last...who would have guessed that the Microchip TCP/IP stack would be so easy to work out...only took me a month!

     

    I have a blinking light...which apparently means that I have the software right and ust need to configure my router...that was 3 hours ago!

     

  • I am grateful to an EAGLE contributor who kindly uploaded a perfect Hirose FX10A-120S/12-SV part to the user library. It has saved me HOURS of sweat, and possibly tears. Look for the conn-hirose.lbr

     

    I will use this receptacle to mate with the PIC24EP512GU810-I/PFPIC24EP512GU810-I/PF  FX10A-120S/12-SV(1) connector on the PIC24E starter kit board.
  • in reply to YT2095

    Might get one of those myself, not a bad price considering what you get. I have tried to make a board with the PIC24FJ256 but could not quite get the exposure right...pins joined together! image

     

    This would be cheaper than having a board made just for practice.

     

    The PIC24F I2C problem is easy to work round, some toggling of SDA required, rather annoying and possibly a reason to favour the PIC24E.