company blog about Supply Microchip Evaluation Board:8-Bit/16-Bit/32-Bit MCU,32-Bit MPU,dsPIC DSC

Supply Microchip Evaluation Board:8-Bit/16-Bit/32-Bit MCU,32-Bit MPU,dsPIC DSC

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I. Microchip MCU Evaluation Boards (8-bit/16-bit/32-bit)

The MCU (Microcontroller Unit) forms the core of embedded systems. Microchip's MCU evaluation boards offer core advantages of ‘high compatibility, high expandability, and low cost’. Covering 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit architectures, they cater to diverse development needs from low-cost entry-level to high-performance industrial applications. The main platforms are Curiosity, Curiosity Nano, and Xplained, all seamlessly integrated with the MPLAB development ecosystem to significantly lower development barriers.

(1) 8-bit MCU Evaluation Boards

8-bit MCU evaluation boards prioritise low cost and low power consumption, catering to simple control scenarios without requiring complex development expertise. They represent the preferred choice for entry-level embedded development, primarily supporting PIC16, PIC18, and AVR series 8-bit MCUs. These boards find widespread application in consumer electronics, small appliances, and basic sensor nodes.

Core Features: All incorporate on-board debuggers, eliminating the need for external programming/debugging tools. Power and communication are facilitated directly via Micro-USB. Supports MPLAB X IDE, MPLAB Xpress IDE, and MPLAB XC compilers. When paired with MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC), it rapidly generates driver code. Select models feature a mikroBUS™ interface for expanding mikroelektronika click boards™, enabling rapid integration of peripherals such as sensors and communication modules; priced from as low as $9.99, offering exceptional value for bulk selection testing and educational experiments.

Representative models:

- EV72J15A - PIC16F17146 Curiosity Nano Evaluation Board: Specifically designed for the PIC16F17146 8-bit MCU, supporting low-power mode testing. Integrates general-purpose I/O pins, LED indicators, and push buttons, suitable for prototyping low-power, simple control projects. Currently in stock and available for immediate purchase.

- DM164144 - PIC16F18446 Curiosity Nano Evaluation Board: Compatible with the PIC16F18446 MCU, supporting fundamental communication interfaces such as UART and SPI. The on-board debugger enables direct code programming and debugging without additional tools, facilitating rapid entry into embedded development for beginners.

- Attiny 3227 Curiosity Nano Evaluation Board: An AVR series 8-bit MCU evaluation board supporting the MPLAB X IDE development environment. Compact in size with integrated full I/O interfaces, it is suitable for functional verification in portable, low-power small devices.

(II) 16-bit MCU Evaluation Boards

16-bit MCU evaluation boards balance performance and power consumption, primarily supporting PIC24 series MCUs. Compared to 8-bit MCUs, they offer higher processing speeds, greater memory capacity, and richer peripherals. Suitable for moderately complex control scenarios, they meet foundational development needs in industrial control, smart metering, motor control, and similar fields, serving as an optimal transitional choice between 8-bit and 32-bit development.

Core Features: Processing speeds of 10–40 MIPS; supports multiple analogue peripherals (ADC, DAC, PWM); certain models integrate communication interfaces such as CAN and USB; compatible with Microchip's full suite of development tools, including the MCC code generator for rapid peripheral and driver configuration; employs a modular design supporting peripheral expansion; select evaluation boards are compatible with the Curiosity Nano socket, enabling extension of various functional modules via the mikroBUS interface; Demonstrates excellent stability and interference resistance, suitable for industrial-grade operating environments.

Representative models:

- PIC24FJ64GA002 Curiosity Evaluation Board: Based on the PIC24FJ64GA002 16-bit MCU, integrates a 12-bit ADC, multiple PWM channels, and UART/SPI/I2C communication interfaces. Features on-board LEDs and pushbuttons, enabling direct use for prototype validation in motor control, sensor data acquisition, and similar projects.

- PIC24EP512GU810 Xplained Evaluation Board: Part of the Xplained platform, this board supports high-performance 16-bit MCUs. It integrates a USB 2.0 interface and CAN controller, supporting industrial-grade communication protocols. Suitable for development and testing in complex control scenarios such as industrial automation and smart metering.

(3) 32-bit MCU Evaluation Boards

32-bit MCU evaluation boards emphasise high performance and integration. They primarily support PIC32 series and SAM series (formerly Atmel products, now integrated into Microchip) 32-bit MCUs. Based on ARM Cortex-M cores (such as Cortex-M0+, M4F), they offer rapid processing speeds and substantial memory capacity. These boards cater to advanced development needs in complex control systems, IoT, and smart hardware, representing the mainstream choice for embedded development today.

Core Features: Processing speeds ranging from 50 to 200 MIPS, supporting floating-point operations and DSP instructions (select models); Integrated rich peripherals including high-speed USB, Ethernet, CAN-FD, Wi-Fi/BLE (select models) and high-precision ADC/DAC; Supports MPLAB X IDE and MPLAB Harmony v3 software frameworks, providing extensive reference designs and sample code for rapid integration of RTOS and IoT protocol stacks; Select models support touch functionality and low-power modes, suitable for portable smart devices and IoT endpoints; Offers excellent expandability, enabling connection to various sensors, storage modules, and communication modules via expansion interfaces.

Representative models:

- EV10N93A - PIC32CM1216MC00032 Curiosity Nano Evaluation Board: Compatible with PIC32CM MC series 32-bit MCUs, supports MPLAB Harmony development framework. Features an on-board Micro-USB interface for power supply, debugging and communication. Priced at US$9.99 each, suitable for selection testing in low-cost, high-performance projects. Currently available for direct purchase.

- EV29G58A - PIC32CMJH01 Curiosity Nano+Touch Evaluation Board: Integrates touch functionality, compatible with PIC32CM5164JH01048 MCU. Features pre-programmed demonstration code for rapid validation of touch control and general MCU capabilities. Supports mikroBUS interface expansion, suitable for prototyping smart touch devices.

- EV24X01A - SAM E54 Motor Control DIM Evaluation Board: Based on the SAM E54 32-bit MCU (ARM Cortex-M4F core), specifically designed for motor control applications. Integrates a 100-pin TQFP-packaged MCU supporting high-resolution PWM output, suitable for validating control algorithms for brushless DC motors (BLDC) and permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM).

II. Microchip 32-bit MPU Evaluation Boards

Compared to MCUs, MPUs (Microprocessors) offer superior computational performance, greater memory expansion capabilities, and more comprehensive system-level support. Microchip's MPU evaluation boards primarily focus on 32-bit architecture, based on ARM Cortex-A cores. They support embedded Linux and the MPLAB Harmony v3 software framework, catering to complex system-level development requirements such as industrial gateways, smart terminals, and in-vehicle infotainment systems.

Core Features: 32-bit MPU evaluation boards achieve processing speeds of 500 MHz to 1 GHz, utilising ARM Cortex-A5, A7, or A9 cores to support multitasking and complex algorithm execution. They integrate extensive high-speed interfaces including Ethernet, USB 3.0, PCIe, and SATA for rapid data transfer and peripheral expansion. Supports embedded Linux systems, providing complete system images and source code for rapid system development environment setup; On-board high-capacity storage interfaces (e.g., eMMC, SD card) and memory expansion interfaces meet complex system storage requirements; Equipped with on-board debuggers and serial console for convenient system debugging and code development; Select models feature ultra-low power characteristics, suitable for portable system-level devices.

Representative Models:

- SAMA5D29-Curiosity Development Board: Based on the ATSAMA5D29 32-bit MPU (ARM Cortex-A5 core) with a processing speed of up to 500 MHz. Supports embedded Linux and the MPLAB Harmony v3 framework. Integrates a serial console and high-speed communication interfaces, suitable for prototype development and functional verification in system-level projects such as industrial gateways and smart terminals. Provides complete hardware schematics and a BOM list.

- SAMA7G54-EK Evaluation Board: Designed for the SAMA7G54 32-bit MPU (ARM Cortex-A7 core) with a processing speed of up to 1 GHz. This high-performance board supports embedded Linux systems and integrates high-speed interfaces including PCIe and USB 3.0. It is suitable for development and testing of complex systems such as high-end industrial control and intelligent vision applications.

- SAM9X60-Curiosity Development Board: Based on the SAM9X60 32-bit MPU (ARM926EJ-S core), operating at up to 600 MHz with ultra-low power characteristics. Supports embedded Linux and the MPLAB Harmony v3 framework, integrating serial communication and storage expansion interfaces. Suitable for developing portable system-level devices and industrial IoT gateways.

III. Microchip dsPIC DSC Evaluation Boards

The dsPIC DSC (Digital Signal Controller) is a specialised chip combining MCU control functionality with DSP signal processing capabilities. Microchip's dsPIC DSC evaluation boards are specifically designed for scenarios requiring real-time signal processing and precise control, such as motor control, power conversion, and industrial automation. Core support encompasses the dsPIC33 series DSCs, covering both single-core and dual-core products. Featuring high computational efficiency, exceptional reliability, and extensive control peripherals, it serves as a pivotal development tool for industrial control applications.

Core Features:

- Integrated DSP engine and MCU core delivering 40-200 MIPS processing speed, enabling real-time signal processing and precise control algorithms; Comprehensive control peripherals including high-resolution PWM, high-precision ADC/DAC, CAN/CAN-FD communication interfaces, and dedicated motor control modules enable direct adaptation for motor control and power conversion applications; Compatible with MPLAB X IDE and MCC development tools, providing extensive motor control and power management example code and reference designs for rapid development; Certain evaluation boards support PIM (Plug-In Module) interchangeability, enabling flexible replacement of different dsPIC DSC chip models for multi-model selection testing; Features industrial-grade interference resistance and supports wide temperature range operation, suitable for harsh industrial environments.

Representative models:

- DM330028-2 - dsPIC33CH Curiosity Development Board: Specifically designed for the new dsPIC33CH dual-core DSC, supporting applications with substantial programme memory requirements. Compatible with multiple PIM modules (e.g., MA330046 Universal PIM, MA330045 Motor Control PIM) to accommodate diverse development needs. Pin-compatible with the dsPIC33CK series, facilitating rapid switching between different models for developers.

- DM320005-2 Evaluation Board: Supports development and testing of the dsPIC33F series DSCs, delivering up to 40 MIPS processing speed. Integrates 10-bit/12-bit ADCs and high-resolution PWM outputs, featuring communication interfaces including UART, SPI, I2C, and CAN. The on-board debugger supports compatible tools such as MPLAB ICD 3, making it suitable for functional verification and prototype development in motor control, power conversion, and industrial automation applications. Detailed user manuals and sample code are provided.

- dsPIC33CK64MP105 related evaluation solutions: Paired with PIM modules such as the MA330047 universal PIM, MA330050-1 (external op-amp motor control), and MA330050-2 (internal op-amp motor control), specifically designed for dsPIC33CK single-core DSCs. These offer low-cost options suitable for applications with stringent memory and space constraints.

IV. Common Advantages of Microchip Evaluation Boards

- Comprehensive Ecosystem: All evaluation boards seamlessly integrate with Microchip's MPLAB development ecosystem, including MPLAB X IDE, MPLAB XC compiler, MCC code generator, and MPLAB Harmony software framework. They provide extensive sample code, driver libraries, and reference designs, significantly reducing development time.

- High expandability: Most evaluation boards feature mikroBUS interfaces, Xplained expansion interfaces, or PIM module interfaces, enabling rapid integration with peripherals such as sensors, communication modules, and storage modules. This eliminates the need for custom expansion circuitry, offering flexible adaptation to diverse project requirements.

- Exceptional value: Entry-level evaluation boards (such as the Curiosity Nano series) start from just $9.99, featuring integrated on-board debuggers that eliminate the need for additional programming/debugging tools, thereby reducing development costs. Premium evaluation boards deliver comprehensive system-level support, offering outstanding cost-effectiveness.

- Broad applicability: Covering multiple sectors including consumer electronics, industrial control, IoT, medical, and automotive, evaluation boards are available for projects ranging from entry-level to high-end, and from simple control to complex system-level development.

- Long-term support: Microchip's product lines feature extended lifecycles, with comprehensive chip and technical support for evaluation boards. Long-term supply commitments and alternative part number strategies are provided, making them suitable for projects with extended lifecycles (e.g., industrial and automotive-grade projects).