Apply to test a Microchip Curiosity Nano Development Board

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In this RoadTest you'll be testing the Microchip EV06M52A Curiosity Nano Evaluation Kit, a compact evaluation board, which integrates a PIC16F13145 Microcontroller, 10-bit ADC, 8-bit DAC and USB-C connectivity while also including an on-board debugger. The PIC16F13145 also supports UART, SPI and I²C communication interfaces and includes a new Configurable Logic Block peripheral to experiment with custom, hardware-based logic design.

To check out this evaluation kit, enroll for this RoadTest. We’ll send you the hardware to test. We pay for everything. You keep it forever after you post a review.

What is the Microchip EV06M52A?

This evaluation board compactly integrates the PIC16F13145 Microcontroller with an on-board debugger, removing the need for external tools to program and debug the microcontroller. The PIC16F13145 includes 14 kB Program Flash Memory, 1 kB of SRAM, 10-bit ADC, 8-bit DAC and a CPU-independent, 32 logic element Configurable Logic Block (CLB). Each logic element on the CLB utilises a Look Up Table based design to enable customisation options when developing bespoke logic. 

Why this may be interesting to you:

• Custom Logic Development Capability: The new Configurable Logic Block comprises a dedicated 3-bit hardware counter and 32 Basic Logic Elements, each equipped with a 4-input Look Up Table and flip-flop, for programming bespoke logic able to run independent of the CPU.
• Versatile connectivity: UART, SPI and I²C support and the capability to re-route pin connections using Peripheral Pin Select based on your needs.
• Robust Analogue/Digital Conversion: Incorporates a 300 ksps, 10-bit ADC with Computation and 8-bit, Buffered-output DAC with internal ADC and Comparator connections.
• Compact Form Factor: Easy integration and installation into space-restricted environments.
• Easy prototyping: The edge connector pin-holes' staggered pin alignment allows regular 100 mil pin headers to be used without soldering to the the board for temporary applications.

Key Features of the EV06M52A

• PIC16F13145 Microcontroller
  • Configurable Logic Block (CLB)
  • Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for custom pin re-routing
  • 10-bit 300 ksps ADC with Computation (ADCC) for responsive sensor designs
  • 8-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) with buffered outputs
  • UART with support for asynchronous, RS-232, RS-485, and LIN compatible
  • Device Information Area (DIA) for storage of factory calibration values, to help improve temperature sensor accuracy
• USB Type-C® Connector
• Footprint for 32.768 kHz Crystal
• On-Board Debugger support in Microchip MPLAB® X IDE:
  
  • Debugger controlled MIC5353 LDO regulator
    
    • 1.8–5.1V output voltage (limited by USB input voltage)
    • 500 mA maximum output current (limited by ambient temperature and output voltage)

Key Specifications

What's included?

RoadTesters will receive or have access to

• PIC16F13145 Curiosity Nano evaluation board
• Two 100mil, 1x15 pin header strips
• Microchip MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
• Microchip MPLAB XC8 Compiler
• Microchip CLB Synthesiser

Documentation and Useful Links

• Microchip EV06M52A
• Microchip PIC16F13145 Microcontroller Datasheet
• Microchip EV06M52A Curiosity Nano User Guide
• Microchip Configurable Logic Block
• Microchip MPLAB X IDE Page
• Microchip MPLAB XC8 Compiler
• Microchip CLB Synthesizer
  
• Microchip MPLAB Discover
• Microchip MPLAB Code Configurator
• Microchip MPLAB Data Visualizer

Software and Equipment That you May Need to Test it

To test out the EV06M52A Curiosity Nano, you would need the following.

• PC capable of accessing and running:
  • MPLAB X IDE
  • MPLAB X XC8 Compiler
  • CLB Synthesizer
• A USB-C cable and power supply
• Debugging tools (e.g. Logic analyser, Signal Generator, Multimeter)
• SPI, UART, I²C compatible sensors and modules 
• Perboard, breadboard or a carrier board for more convenient sensor connection and testing.

RoadTester Tasks and Instructions

As inspiration for the kinds of tasks to stretch the kit's legs, evaluate and document in your review, please see the tasks below.

• The out-of-the-box experience: Power up the Curiosity Nano Development board and check the pre-programmed state-machine feature blinking the on-board LED responds to the push button. You could also use MPLAB Discover to upload Microchip's other tested examples.
• Connectivity Tests:
  • Check if the off-centre pin-holes allow for rapid protoyping and sensor connections without soldering.
  • Connect I²C, SPI and UART communication with sensors and peripherals.
• Analogue experiments: Test the linearity, resolution and noise of the ADC using a series of known input voltages. Generate test waveforms from the DAC and record the output.
• Toolchain & Libraries: Document the ease of implementing the availale libraries as part of programs. Record any issues which arise and the ease of troubleshooting them. Show screenshots, any error messages and fixes you develop.
• Try the Configurable Logic Block peripheral: Try out the creation of on-board logic and compare the performance of the microcontroller with the logic offloaded compared to running on the CPU. Document the process of implementation.
• Integrate a basic project: Put together a small project making use of the PIC16F13145, perhaps adding a crystal oscillator as supported, and document your findings and results.
• Write your review: Submit your report introducing your test plan and review criteria. Describe your plan and show the steps taken to undertake the review, using pictures, videos embedded in the report, screenshots or code examples to show the process undertaken, and give a clear recommendation based on the strengths and weaknesses for prospective users.

How to apply

When live, click the button to enrol, you'll be expected to include:

1. A brief description of your background and experience with the technology (embedded systems, microcontrollers, programming and prototyping in particular)
2. The details of the test plan or project you wish to use when you're reviewing the Curiosity Nano board.
3. What you want to evaluate in the Curiosity Nano, such as performance, form-factor, power consumption, complexity of development.

Key Dates

Terms and Conditions

About the sponsor

Microchip Technology Incorporated is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs, which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company's solutions serve more than 120,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. Learn more here.