4.1 Basic Connection Requirements

Getting started with the PIC16F181 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 V_DD and V_SS pins (see Power Supply Pins )
• MCLR pin (see Master Clear (MCLR) Pin)

These pins must also be connected if they are being used in the end application:

• PGC/PGD pins used for In-Circuit Serial Programming™ (ICSP™) and debugging purposes (see In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) Pins)
• CLKIN pin when an external clock source is used.

Additionally, the following may be required:

• V_REF+/V_REF- pins are used when external voltage reference for analog modules is implemented

The minimum recommended connections are shown in the figure below.