Datasheet

Explorer 8 Development Kit
Summary
The Explorer 8 Development Kit (part number DM160228)
is a full-featured development board and platform for 8-bit
PIC® microcontrollers. This kit is a versatile development
solution, featuring several options for external sensors,
off-board communication and human interface. Additionally,
it offers ample room for expansion, making it an excellent
solution for developers and engineers looking for a tool
with the largest number of supported 8-bit PIC MCUs.
Enterprise-Class 8-bit Development
The Explorer 8 Development Kit is the latest offering
in a long line of enterprise-class tools for 8-bit PIC
microcontrollers. The board is an evolution of the popular
PIC18 Explorer Board, and has been updated to take
advantage of our most modern features including:
■ On-chip Core Independent Peripherals
■ Compatibility with all PIC MCUs
■ 8-, 14-, 20-, 28-, 40/44-, 64- and 80-pin footprints
With the Explorer 8 Development Kit, you can have a single
development platform that allows you to update a legacy
design while supporting our newest MCU offerings.
All-in-One Solution
Microchip designed the Explorer 8 Development Kit to be
your main tool for 8-bit development with support for a
wide variety of functions. On-board components enable
easy development of human interface, power conversion,
Internet of Things (IoT), battery charging and other
applications using a powerful 8-bit PIC microcontroller.
Additionally, the Explorer 8 Development Kit also has
a large capacity for expansion. Two Digilent Pmod™
interfaces, two MikroElectronika Click™ board sockets
and two custom expansion headers allow you to quickly
adapt as your development needs change. The Explorer
8 Development Kit supports several program and debug
solutions including the PICkit™ 3, ICD 3 and MPLAB® REAL
ICE™ In-Circuit Emulator.
Explore New Ideas
As with all of our modern development platforms, the
Explorer 8 Development Kit is designed to use the internet
as a conduit for design ideas. To that end, we provide
application and code examples for many new 8-bit PIC
MCUs on our website in order to energize your creativity.
Code examples and application schematics can be found
at www.microchip.com/Explorer8.
Connection Points
The Explorer 8 Development Kit supports several options to
easily add functionality to your design.
■ Micro USB to I
2
C or Serial – Use the USB interface
for diagnostic or control interfaces. USB to I
2
C/serial
conversion is handled automatically.
■ MikroElektronika Click Board Support – Two sockets
provide access to nearly 100 add-on boards, with
capabilities ranging from GPS to alcohol sensing.
■ Digilent Pmod Support – Two 12-pin interfaces
provide access to expansion boards with options
for communications, sensing and power conversion
capability.
■ Multiple Expansion Options – A legacy expansion header
for PICtail™ daughter card connectivity and a 120-pin
edge connector enable you to expand the Explorer 8
Development Kit’s capability to suit your needs.
■ 20-pin Add-On Board Connector – Design your own
add-on boards for sensor interface or motor drive, and
connect them with this simple header.
Key Features
■ Supports all 8-bit PIC microcontrollers from 8 to 80 pins
■ Programming headers and power connections for all
MCU sockets
■ Three individual power supplies
• 5V, 3.3V, variable (1.5–4.5V)
■ 16 × 2 character LCD module
■ External connections for industry-standard
communications and expansion interfaces
■ RS232 and Bluetooth® Low Energy interfaces
■ Push button switches for device reset and
user-defi ned inputs