Cheap microchip dev kit - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mukymuk
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2012, 03:15:25 pm
content: Just FYI, you can get a Microstick II for $3.49 if you use "MCHPPIC32" discount code on checkout.http://www.microchipdirect.com/ProductSearch.aspx?Keywords=DM330013-2

author: MikeK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2012, 04:42:03 pm
content: Do they make you pay for the compiler?

author: mukymuk
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2012, 06:06:53 pm
content: I don't remember exactly what their compiler license is. I think they offer a 60-day trial on the full version and I think there is a "lite" version that you can use indefinitely. There are open source alternatives for some of their chips (maybe all).

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2012, 06:09:33 pm
content: $17 for postage kills the deal a bitStill pretty good value if you want/need a dev kit for PIC24J stuff.

author: gtsili
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2012, 07:23:38 pm
content: Quote from: mukymuk on June 05, 2012, 03:15:25 pmOrdered one. Final price including shipping and VAT: 12.03 Euros. Thanks mukymuk.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2012, 08:53:40 pm
content: I want to order from them but their website is pretty much like the company itself "We at microchip ensure you that your experience will be as flawed as possible"I waited 10mins and it gave me a Error 324 and now it's 503

author: Noize
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2012, 09:31:21 pm
content: Thanks mukymuk.I am in the UK and got it for £8.21 inc shipping and vat.

author: ChrisW
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2012, 01:16:40 am
content: I am a noob but what advantage does using a pic micro controller offer over your stock standard atmega on an arduino?Thank-you for the heads up on this special code!

author: mukymuk
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2012, 02:28:08 am
content: No advantage necessarily. It's just another micro from another company. Small differences here and there might make one micro more appropriate for a given application. For the odd personal hack project, it probably doesn't matter 99% of the time. For aspiring embedded folks, knowing PIC is probably a good idea as it is widely used in industry.

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2012, 02:53:25 am
content: Quote from: ChrisW on June 06, 2012, 01:16:40 amMicrochip have probably (I never counted) a thousand different processors called PIC from 8 to 32 bits so questions or statements which just say PIC are meaningless. Microchip shipped its 10 billionth PIC in 2011 which I think is a pretty good indication they have parts and support which is worth considering.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2012, 12:17:04 pm
content: Atmel is not as stable as Microchip that's all.Just that AVR's are better then PIC but they aren't so stable so to promise long term availability will be a bit of a task if you decide to use them in the later stages of being a engineer, you will never know when Atmel is gonna discontinue a product

author: caroper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2012, 09:09:05 pm
content: This is actually a killer deal it includes 4 powerful CPU's a programmer/debugger and USB comm's.Is it limited to 1 per order?At that price I think I will get one for each team memberCheersChris

author: caroper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2012, 09:55:29 pm
content: You can only use the code once per order and they only had 5 left in stock, so I have ordered myself one. It comes out at:Device Total: 3.49Shipping: 10.09Total (USD): 13.58Shipping is to the door by Currier so not a bad shipping price.that includes the board and:1 - PIC24FJ64GB0021 - PIC24HJ64GP5021 - dsPIC33FJ64MC8021 - PIC32MX250F128CheersChris

author: JohnS_AZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2012, 10:24:12 pm
content: Thanks for the heads up mukymuk!Just ordered one. $10.58 USD including shipping. The invoice say's it will ship tomorrow.John

author: andyg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2012, 01:02:06 am
content: Awesome, thank you. I just ordered one.You can order more than one, but for 2x the price each jumps up to $15 or so. So I just bought one.

author: mukymuk
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2012, 05:02:34 am
content: You're welcome guys. Happy to contribute.I got my kit in today...looks like prime breadboarding fun.

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2012, 11:43:07 am
content: Quote from: andyg on June 07, 2012, 01:02:06 amThe code is valid for a discount of $31.46 regardless of the number you order. So if you buy two, you get ~$15.73 off each one.Does anyone know when the code expires? I might browse for some other microchip stuff while I'm paying for shipping, but I don't really have time to spare at the moment.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 02:34:13 am
content: Quote from: ChrisW on June 06, 2012, 01:16:40 amQuoteActually, there is a big advantage: diversity. PICs are available from super cheap tiny SMDs to powerful 32-bit processors. Can you name an Arduino that has a DSP core and high resolution PWM outputs?On the other hand, PICs are harder to program than Arduinos when it comes to using peripherals. Every family of PIC is a little different and there are even differences within families. Expect to spend some time reading datasheets and reference manuals to understand how to use them.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 10:55:23 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on June 09, 2012, 02:34:13 amTo be fair, the tiny SOT-23 PIC does not have that much in common with a big PIC32 apart from the name. I doubt they even share any of the peripherals.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 10:59:28 am
content: Quote from: mukymuk on June 05, 2012, 06:06:53 pmI thought that technically, the full version can be had legally for free, as it is open source? Microchip do charge for it of course, but IIRC there is way to legally hack to get it for free?Dave.

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 01:57:54 pm
content: I don't think the LITE versions even have code size limits any more. From what I remember reading through the site a while back, its only the code size optimizations that are better in the paid version. For a hobbyist, if your code doesn't fit, just buy a slightly more expensive model with more program memory. If you're making enough devices that the cost becomes an issue you can afford to buy the full versionhttp://www.microchip.com/pagehandler/en_us/promo/mplabxc/Looks like they're moving to some new "XC" compiler series. The XC8 for 8bit PICs looks to just be the Hi-Tech compiler. XC16 and XC32 are continuations of microchips original compilers. Click the downloads link on the left if you want the files (it's not actually very obvious... Microchip's website has always sucked the big one)Better link:http://www.microchip.com/pagehandler/en-us/family/mplabx/#downloads

author: oPossum
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 03:08:30 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 09, 2012, 10:59:28 amThe compiler for 16 and 32 bit PIC is GCC derived and open source, but the libraries supplied by Microchip are not open source. So if you want to build and use the open source compiler then you have to use an alternative C standard library likenewlib.Two open source builds of the PIC32 compiler are the Pinguino build and the ChipKit build. They both use newlib 1.19.0"32-bit Pinguino programs are compiled with a C/C++ Compiler which is a GNU-Mips toolchain based on GCC 4.5.2, binutils 2.21 and Newlib 1.19."(ref)"The chipKIT compiler, assembler and linker are based on GCC v4.5.1 and are also covered by the GPL. The C runtime library is based on Newlib v1.19.0, and is covered by a variety of open source licenses. "(ref)

author: gtsili
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2012, 07:11:56 pm
content: Picked mine up today (arrived yesterday). However, there is no PIC24F on the box. Anyway, I raised the issue with MicrochipDirect. Very strange, it is not like there where that many items to put on the box and they missed that.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2012, 07:37:33 pm
content: Quote from: gtsili on June 12, 2012, 07:11:56 pmIt's in the other anti static pouch, you only got 1 or 2 pouches? Mine came with PIC24H and a dsPIC33F

author: gtsili
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2012, 07:40:47 pm
content: 2 pouches, One with PIC24H and dsPIC33F and the headers and one with the board only.Quote from: DaveXRQ on June 12, 2012, 07:37:33 pm

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 12, 2012, 10:03:06 pm
content: Quote from: gtsili on June 12, 2012, 07:40:47 pmAh, good, I was looking for this thread to ask that -- mine arrived with the same (plus the new PIC32 device preinstalled on the board). Although for the price I don't think I'd be in too much of a hurry to complain...

author: gtsili
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2012, 10:17:35 pm
content: Hmmm, the one I got also originated from UK. Very suspicious. Well, it is true that for the price, I can not really complain but, it is the principle of the thing. Let's see what microchipdirect has to say. Ohh yes, I forgot to mention that the PIC32 was installed on the board and the blinking led demo already loaded.Quote from: baljemmett on June 12, 2012, 10:03:06 pm

author: ChrisW
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2012, 05:34:42 am
content: My kit arrived today but I can't say the customer service experience has been great.Sent me a fedex tracking number but listed it as a DHL track number. Sent several emails to Microchip over the past week believing I had been given wrong info, received no reply.To cap it off, the kit is missing a PIC24FJ64GB002Going to send another email, perhaps I will get lucky and merit a response this time.But then again, considering how much it cost, $17, compared to $47 at element 14 Australia, I suppose I can't complain.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2012, 09:11:13 am
content: Okay time to raise a complain

author: gtsili
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2012, 09:23:45 am
content: After fiddling a bit with MPLAB X, I can say that I am not that impressed. First of all, even though you can read and write to the Microstic II and the IDE seems to recognize the device it lists all Microchip Starter Kits (including the suggested "Starter Kits (PKOB)") as "Not Supported". The "Make and program device" button stays inactive some times unless you click on an another tab and the look and feel in general is not that good. Anyway, at least it works.Also SDCC does not support PIC32 so, you have to install the xc32 toolchain.

author: caroper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2012, 10:21:09 am
content: I got mine yesterday, also with the PIC32MX installed and a separate pouch with a PIC24 and a PIC33.All 3 chips are 128K, so Higher spec than the packing list, considering they have sent me freebies in the past I am not going to complain about it.My Raspberry Pi arrived at the same time, so I have been focused on that, but will start work on the PIC's today.I have a PIC24 library I want to try and port to the 32.CheersChris

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2012, 12:21:13 pm
content: I think they placed the 128K parts and took away the 24FNo matter, 24H is a better part

author: gtsili
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2012, 01:29:37 pm
content: True, all are 128K parts, so we are better of. Well, a note on their website and on the box that device samples may vary would be nice, especially for those that ordered without a discount code.Quote from: DaveXRQ on June 13, 2012, 12:21:13 pmLucky you, I still waiting for mineI ordered April 1st.Quote from: caroper on June 13, 2012, 10:21:09 am

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2012, 03:58:21 pm
content: I checked the prices savings they have ... NONE they gave more value giving us 2x128K chips instead of 3x64K chips

author: Chasm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2012, 07:58:44 am
content: Interesting, so far I've mostly used AVRs.Are there other coupons active at this time? Or other must have products?

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2012, 09:06:12 pm
content: Finally found time to post pictures( The one on the right, the USB Starter kit was from a roadtest )that's a shitload of patentsTheir cables is always long as ... and all the necessary microchip documentation crap ...Top sideBottom side

author: andyg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2012, 11:41:36 am
content: I got mine a few days ago too. Looks nice and seems to work okay.Although the download and debugging interface I found was annoyingly slow and painful using MPLAB X. At least compared with my experience with debugging on AVR and ARM.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2012, 05:22:15 pm
content: Quote from: andyg on June 16, 2012, 11:41:36 amGo back to MPLAB 8, it works a shitload better for meThey seemed to have made the all-godly Eclipse so slow

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2012, 05:19:21 am
content: MPLAB X is based on NetBeans, not Eclipse.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2012, 07:08:00 am
content: Quote from: westfw on June 17, 2012, 05:19:21 amNetbeans IS also based on eclipse

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2012, 07:40:05 pm
content: Quote from: DaveXRQ on June 17, 2012, 07:08:00 amumm no. eclipse came about in around 2000, and open source in about 2001. netbeans came about in 1996/97...

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2012, 06:11:29 am
content: Quote from: BloodyCactus on June 17, 2012, 07:40:05 pmOops, does netbeans now look like what it is now before 1996 ? ... which would mean that Eclipse came then netbeans switched over ...Anyway, MPLAB X might be eclipse not netbeans, I don't know, i don't care because it's too slow

author: oPossum
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2012, 06:20:03 am
content: Microchip's Embedded Software Development on the NetBeans Platform

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2012, 06:24:57 am
content: Alsohttp://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=2022&mcparam=en553772Elsewhere someone said that MPLABX is an application built on top of Netbeans, rather than a netbeans "plugin", so perhaps any resemblance to Eclipse is intentional. (Those IDEs all look alike, anyway.)

author: andyg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2012, 04:51:19 pm
content: Just been playing around with this again, tried using MPLAB 8.x and it seems to be a lot more response, especially debugging.Downloading 1.5KB program to the PIC32MX takes about 6-8 seconds though, is this normal?I take it people using PicKit on standalone boards, 1.5 KB should download a *lot* quicker right? Or is this typical download speed for PICs.(this is the first time I have ever used a PIC in case you haven't noticed)

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2012, 05:44:20 pm
content: Quote from: andyg on June 18, 2012, 04:51:19 pmI don't know about the PIC32MX but it was pretty slow for me on the PIC24 USB Starter Kit

author: caroper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2012, 04:15:59 pm
content: Quote from: andyg on June 18, 2012, 04:51:19 pmIf you want to send me your code I can do a comparative test for you with PICKit3, ICD3 and MicrostickII, it could be a useful comparison.I also have the PICKit2 but it can't handle the PIC32MX2xx at this point so I cant include it.CheersChris

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2012, 08:19:59 am
content: I finally managed to decode what is under the sticker (The printing has been eaten away by the sticker so i can hardly see what the debugging chip is

author: caroper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2012, 03:55:08 pm
content: I didn't realise you were after that info Dave, I could have saved you some effort.It is the identical debug circuit as the original Microstick and the the StarterKit boards.I have attached a pdf with the full schematic for the debugger in case anyone else is after the info.CheersChris

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2012, 04:00:59 pm
content: Quote from: caroper on June 20, 2012, 03:55:08 pmJust a little bit of time wastedMan it is tough hunting for the chip, after all i am always interested in which any product has this/that chip

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2012, 11:29:24 pm
content: hmm mine arrived tonight. very nice, small! says its rev4.1x 24h, 1x 24f, 1x ds33f, 1x pic32, 1x usb cable. seems they put the 24f back in as I see some of you did not get one.(the 24f is a 64, the other three are 128's).wierd, inspected on the 20th, overnighted to my house to arrive on the 22nd! wow.

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2012, 01:07:28 am
content: gahmplabx does not support Microstick II and its PIC32MX250F128B. doh. all it sees is a 'starter kit (pkob)' with red button.unsupported.grrrr

author: senso
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2012, 04:07:09 am
content: Have you installed the PIC32 compiler?You need to install the IDE and the install the separate compilers, there is one for PIC32, one for 8 bits PICs, and then there is a unified version for the PIC24 and dsPIC, and separate compiler for dsPIC and another for PIC24, but those two are the same, just with less header defines.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2012, 05:19:03 am
content: Oddly while i'm on MPLAB 8.x i have no problems compiling without the XC32 compiler ... only with the pic24 and dsPIC33 compiler

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2012, 01:08:37 pm
content: yeah I have all the compilers from c32 v2.02 and all the xc8/16/32 compilers. mplabx just does not yet support microstick2.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2012, 02:00:27 pm
content: Quote from: BloodyCactus on June 23, 2012, 01:08:37 pmBloody microchip, and to think mplab X is newer then mplab 8.x

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2012, 02:08:27 am
content: Quote from: BloodyCactus on June 23, 2012, 01:08:37 pmYes it does, or at least it was doing a very good impression of supporting it when I just tested it... MPLAB X v1.10, downloaded and installed in mid-March this year; everything worked exactly as described in the instructions that came with the Microstick II (effectively, 'select Starter Kits under Hardware Tools'). Was able to make an obviously-observable change to the obligatory blinking-LED demo code to verify that it was reprogramming the chip, and then use the debugger to set breakpoints, etc.

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2012, 03:21:00 am
content: I have mplabx 1.20, i get some status of the chip,but looking at the project properties, all the little red lights are unsupported programmers. according to mplabx1.2 I'm unsupported, best thing to do is get icd3/pickit3/real ice. Is your startet kit listed with a green light or red light?

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2012, 12:14:33 pm
content: Quote from: BloodyCactus on June 24, 2012, 03:21:00 amUhm, Ithinkit's red, but I have very poor colour vision so don't hold me to it:It definitely works though! Do you get an error when you try and program a device? I notice your 'device:' setting is 'PIC32MX250F128', whereas my board came with a PIC32MX250F128B installed -- not sure if the B is just hidden by the width of the control or if you might need to change that to match...

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2012, 01:04:19 am
content: been looking over the microstickii some more.. its supposed to be breadboard friendly, comes with the headers to drop it on, sweet... except the power pins 13 + 28 (vdd/avdd) are not hooked upso you cant power it. I see a GND + VDD hole in the center of the board but the info sheet does not say if they are hooked up at all. I guess I'll cut up a usb cable to leave the mini connector and tap power directly via the two power lines in it...does anyone know what the slideswitch does?

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 25, 2012, 01:22:11 am
content: Quote from: BloodyCactus on June 25, 2012, 01:04:19 amI believe it switches between the two sets of programming pins, in case your design needs to use one particular set for other purposes.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2012, 04:05:13 am
content: *oopsAnd as for powering options ... it was designed to powered via USB

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 25, 2012, 11:16:49 am
content: Quote from: DaveXRQ on June 25, 2012, 04:05:13 amNo, it doesn't. It switches between two sets of programming pins available on the supported devices -- PGEC1/PGED1 (pins 4/5) and PGEC3/PGED3 (pins 14/15).The SPDIP socket is the 0.3" one and seems to be the only one you should plug a device into -- looking at the schematic, the outer rows of pins on the 0.6" spacing do not have the power pins connected, so if you fitted a PDIP device on the bottom I suspect you'd find it wouldn't do anything useful! The marketing blurb indicates they're intended for connecting to breadboards, as BloodyCactus mentioned; makes sense, as otherwise you'd find it rather hard to do any I/O with the thing...

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2012, 11:46:11 am
content: Quote from: baljemmett on June 25, 2012, 11:16:49 amRight ... Thanks

author: MikeK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2012, 07:27:22 pm
content: Anyone have some DSP code examples for this? Microchip only as a "blinky" example on their Microstick II page. Dopes!

author: caroper
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2012, 07:30:01 am
content: Have a look here:http://www.microchip.com/CodeExamplesByFunc.aspx

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 05:10:21 pm
content: WOW microchip took 1 month to replyHere's what they sent me just only 1 hour agoCode:Please accept our aplogies for this delay response.We requested our shipping team to send the missing XXX for the XXXX. I will advise you once the missing pic has been sent out.

author: gtsili
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2012, 03:37:19 pm
content: Even worst:Quote

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2012, 05:57:34 pm
content: Quote from: gtsili on July 13, 2012, 03:37:19 pm

author: gtsili
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 10:05:47 am
content: I got mine. The question now is: Will You Marry Me? (see attached photo)Quote from: gtsili on July 13, 2012, 03:37:19 pm

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 06:23:36 pm
content: The fedex box they sent is simply massive...The box with those foam things,and then the "ring" box,aka the microchip sample box,Great, you can fit a Bus Pirate in there!

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2012, 06:30:42 pm
content: They have been taking packing lessons from HP then.

author: aluck
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2012, 06:00:21 am
content: They either discontinued that discount code, or it is not valid for Russia. ^(

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2012, 04:23:23 pm
content: I don't mean to be rude or anything, but mid-eastern europe countries including Russia, Ukraine, Lativia, Estony, Poland, etc are considered as poor countries and semiconductor companies usually refuse to ship samples (well, Microchip actually still does provide samples in Poland as the only company left...) suspecting that we want those for resale on ebay or other auction site. And same thing goes for promotion/discount codes. they usualy don't don't include eastern Europe.

author: aluck
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2012, 01:14:48 am
content: Quote from: poorchava on July 25, 2012, 04:23:23 pmNever had any problems with samples, except for:- Atmel actually send samples through their local representatives in Moscow - and sometimes your samples go into the black hole- TI ships by FedEx, which is not in good relationships with customs office, and you will have a lot of headache with papersAs for Maxim, NXP, Intersil, AD and other big names - no problems at all.