User manual

© 2008 Microchip Technology Inc. DS51721B-page 9
PICDEM™ PIC18 EXPLORER
DEMONSTRATION BOARD
USER’S GUIDE
Chapter 2. Getting Started
The PICDEM™ PIC18 Explorer Demonstration Board may be used in a variety of
ways. Table 2-1 lists the three primary configurations and the required equipment and
capabilities of each.
This chapter describes:
• How to implement each of the uses described in Table 2-1
• How to reprogram the main and RS-232 to USB microcontrollers
• How to connect the demonstration board to a host PC for RS-232 communication
2.1 BOARD AS STAND-ALONE DEVICE
In using the PICDEM PIC18 Explorer Demonstration Board as a stand-alone device,
an implementation can:
• Use the board as is, utilizing the firmware loaded on the main, PIC18F8722
microcontroller and RS-232 to USB PIC18LF2450 microcontroller
• Reprogram the main, PIC18F8722 microcontroller or the RS-232 to USB,
PIC18LF2450 microcontroller and demonstrate user programs
TABLE 2-1: PICDEM™ PIC18 EXPLORER DEMONSTRATION BOARD CONFIGURATIONS
Configuration Board Connections Board Capabilities
Stand-alone board Power supply
• Access board’s full functionality
• Demonstrate sample code
• Display functionality with LCD or LEDs
• Connect ICD/programmer for debugging or
programming
• Connect PICtail™ daughter cards
Board with in-circuit
debugger/programmer
• Power supply
• In-Circuit Debugger (ICD) that
also can be used as a
programmer
• Access board’s full functionality
• Demonstrate sample code
• Develop and debug code
• Reprogram microcontrollers
• Connect PICtail daughter cards
Board with alternate
microcontroller, attached
through a Plug-In Module
(PIM)
• Power supply
• ICD that also can be used as a
programmer
• PIM with mounted microcontroller
• Substitute PIM-mounted device as main
microcontroller
†
• Use 3.3V or 5V devices as main microcontroller
• Demonstrate sample code
• Develop and debug code
• Reprogram microcontrollers
• Connect PICtail daughter cards
† PIM enables 80, 64, 44 and 28-pin devices to be used as the main microcontroller. For information on the
available PIMs, go to
http://microchip.com.