3.1 Basic Connection Requirements
Getting started with the PIC18F26/45/46Q10 family of 8-bit microcontrollers requires attention to a minimal set of device pin connections before proceeding with development.
The following pins must always be connected:
- All VDD and VSS pins (see Power Supply Pins)
- All VDD pins must have a 0.1 uF bypass capacitor to VSS
These pins must also be connected if they are being used in the end application:
- ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT pins used for In-Circuit Serial Programming™ (ICSP™) and debugging purposes (see In-Circuit Serial Programming™ (ICSP™) Pins)
- OSCI and OSCO pins when an external oscillator source is used (see External Oscillator Pins)
- MCLR pin (see Master Clear (MCLR Pin) when external master clear configuration is selected
Additionally, the following pins may be required:
- VREF+/VREF- pins are used when external voltage reference for analog modules is implemented
The minimum mandatory connections are shown in the figure below.