Data Sheet

with a USB virtual COM port could listen for a special baud rate to be set by the computer (we used 333 Baud

on the Wixel).

5.3. Compiling a program with MPLAB X and XC8

The P-Star can be programmed using standard development tools from Microchip. This section explains

how to get started programming the P-Star in the C language using MPLAB X and XC8. MPLAB X

[http://www.microchip.com/mplabx] a free integrated development (IDE) from Microchip for programming their PIC

microcontrollers. XC8 [http://www.microchip.com/compilers] is a C compiler from Microchip for 8-bit PICs. Both

programs run on Windows, Max OS X, and Linux.

1. Download and install the latest versions of MPLAB X [http://www.microchip.com/mplabx] and XC8

[http://www.microchip.com/compilers] .

2. Find “MPLAB X IDE” in your Start Menu and run it.

3. From the File menu, select “New Project”.

4. On the first screen of the New Project wizard, select the “Microchip Embedded” category and then

select “Standalone Project”. Click “Next”.

5. For the Device, type “PIC18F25K50”. Click “Next”.

5. Getting started Page 15 of 38