Best PIC Development Board Compatible with PICKIT4 and MPLAB IDE for Multiple PICs

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#1 21681540 16 Jan 2019 21:00

Craig Taylor Craig Taylor

Anonymous

Post #1
21681540 16 Jan 2019 21:00

Hi
First post to the forum so HI to everyone.
I'm starting to get into PICs having been spurred on by the articles in EPE and recent receipt of a PICKIT4. My question is what is the best development board/module to use with the PICKIT4. i know there are the curiosity boards but they seem type specific. What I would like is a board that works with the PICKIT4 and the MPLAB IDE and can take a range of different PICs.
Is there such a thing??
Thanks in advance
Craig

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#2 21681541 17 Jan 2019 21:45

Joe Farr Joe Farr

Anonymous

Post #2
21681541 17 Jan 2019 21:45

Hi Craig,Welcome to the forum.I think it's fair there's going to be a bit of a learning curve but if you stick with it, I personally think you will find any of the development boards a bit restrictive. Either they don't have all, or enough of the devices you want to experiment with, or they don't support the PICs you can afford or obtain easily in your area etc. If you have one of those solderless plug in breadboards, you can construction a simple arrangement that only requires a single row header connector and some jumper wires, a single resistor and a PIC of course.You can then connect LEDs or whatever to the PIC and off you go.Microchip have a quick start guide that you may find helpful. http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/50002721A.pdfThe top of the second page gives you the circuit; it really doesn't get any simpler than that. Make sure that the PIC(s) you decide to use are supported by the PICKIT4 (which they almost certainly are, but check all the same).
Regards,Joe
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#3 21681542 18 Jan 2019 00:33

Craig Taylor Craig Taylor

Anonymous

Post #3
21681542 18 Jan 2019 00:33

Hi JoeThanks for your reply, I hadn't realised it could be that simple. I had assumed there was some additional driver circuitry necessary but clearly the PICKIT provides all that. I see on Ebay there are some tiny development boards for the PICKIT3 with a ZIF socket and a few jumpers. Might be a good starting point even if it needs a few mods. and additions.I'll let you know how I get on !CheersCraig
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#4 21681543 18 Jan 2019 01:13

Rick Curl Rick Curl

Anonymous

Post #4
21681543 18 Jan 2019 01:13

Hi Craig-If you want to go with Microchip's Curiosity boards, now is a good time because Microchip just announced discounts on many of their development boards. If you can afford it, and you really want a development board that does it all, take a look at the development boards from MikroElektronika. They do it all, and have on-board programmers. They also have an affordable line of "starter" development boards.FYI- I've got a Pickit 4 sitting here, and so far, I'm not impressed. I went back to the Pickit 3, and in some cases, the old trusty Pickit 2. -Rick
#5 21681544 18 Jan 2019 01:41

Craig Taylor Craig Taylor

Anonymous

Post #5
21681544 18 Jan 2019 01:41

Thanks Rick, the MikroElectrika boards look pretty impressive but probably one step too far at this stage, but certainly something to consider later. All I want at this stage is to get started and some switches and LEDs, maybe a pot for analogue input should get me going. I have programmed in C on other platforms so the structure is familiar but i am in no illusions as to the PICs steep learning curve.Yes I've heard mixed reviews on the PICKIT4 but the limitations are probably way above my current demands on it. I have an ageing Velleman P8048 programmer which I haven't seem to manage to get my PC to talk too (RS232) yet. Anyone know if the MPLAB IDE works with that ?Ta Craig
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#6 21681545 23 Jan 2019 15:40

Mike P OKeeffe Mike P OKeeffe

Anonymous

Post #6
21681545 23 Jan 2019 15:40

Hi Craig,I'm delighted to hear you're getting started with PICs. Those articles in EPE are great, but I might be a little biased. As for where to start, the Curiosity boards offer the ability to swap out the microcontroller for a range of 8/16bit PICs. They're handy enough boards. Some have the mikroBus connectors, which support a wide variety of plug in boards. Going up from that, you've got the Explorer dev boards, which are a bit more expensive but include much more complicated interfaces for 16/32bit PICs. Both of these boards have their own PICKit on board (PKOB). If you want to use your brand new PICKit4, why not purchase a 8/16 bit PIC in a PDIP package and plug it into a breadboard.The PICKit4 supports nearly all the PICs (except for some of the older PICs). It works almost exactly the same as the PICKit3/PICKit2 with a few differences.It's a pity Microchip have stopped making the PICKit3/PICKit2 starter kits. They were really handy and they came with great getting started guides to walk you through all the peripherals of the PICs. If you're lucky, you might be able to purchase one of these on eBay.
Good luck with your search and do let us know how you get on.-Mike
#7 21681546 08 Mar 2019 03:15

Craig Taylor Craig Taylor

Anonymous

Post #7
21681546 08 Mar 2019 03:15

Hi AllHas anyone experience and /or able to help, with a project which receives DMX 512 protocol? We are struggling with a problem, which I believe is to do with timing. The design uses a MAX 485 interface chip driving a PIC18F2550 and with the PIC driving LEDs for testing purposes.In the meantime we will battle on........
#8 21681547 08 Mar 2019 16:16

David Ashton David Ashton

Anonymous

Post #8
21681547 08 Mar 2019 16:16

Craig I have seen a few articles about DMX512 in Elektor magazine, they may be of help to you. Go towww.elektormagazine.com
And put DMX512 into the search bar (part way down on the right) and you'll get a few articles. Some of them are behind a paywall, though.
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Topic summary

The discussion focuses on selecting a versatile PIC development board compatible with the PICKit4 programmer and MPLAB IDE, capable of supporting multiple PIC microcontrollers. It is noted that many development boards, including Microchip's Curiosity series, tend to be PIC-type specific, limiting flexibility. A practical alternative suggested is using a solderless breadboard with a PDIP PIC, simple passive components, and jumper wires, leveraging the PICKit4's built-in programming and debugging capabilities without additional driver circuitry. The PICKit4 supports nearly all PIC devices except some older models. MikroElektronika offers comprehensive development boards with onboard programmers and starter kits, though they may be more advanced and costly for beginners. The Curiosity boards provide some flexibility with interchangeable 8/16-bit PICs and mikroBus connectors for expansion but include their own onboard programmers, which may complicate using an external PICKit4. The PICKit3 and PICKit2 starter kits, now discontinued, were previously favored for ease of use. Additional context includes inquiries about programming legacy devices like the Velleman P8048 and references to DMX512 protocol projects using PIC18F2550 and MAX485 interface chips. Resources such as Microchip's quick start guide and Elektor magazine articles on DMX512 are recommended for further learning.
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Best PIC Development Board Compatible with PICKIT4 and MPLAB IDE for Multiple PICs

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