2.1 Evaluation Kits

Curiosity Nano Evaluation Kits

The Curiosity Nano Evaluation Kit is a hardware platform to evaluate PIC16 and PIC18 MCUs, providing easy access to the features of the microcontrollers. The Curiosity Nano Evaluation Kits include an on-board debugger (EDBG), which eliminates the need for external tools for programming and debugging the microcontroller. More information on the Curiosity Nano family can be found at www.microchip.com/en-us/tools-resources/evaluation-boards/curiosity-nano.
Figure 2-1. Overview of the PIC18F56Q71 Curiosity Nano Kit

Web Page: www.microchip.com/developmenttools/productdetails/partno/EV01G21A (scroll down on the landing page to access all the information on the kit)

Get the Kit: www.microchipdirect.com/dev-tools/EV01G21A

For more details, refer to the PIC18F56Q71 Curiosity Nano User Guide.

Features:

  • Microcontroller
  • One Yellow User LED
  • One Mechanical User Switch
  • On-Board Debugger:
    • Board identification in MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
    • One green power and status LED
    • Programming and debugging
    • Virtual COM port (CDC) for microcontroller to PC communication
    • Data Gateway Interface (DGI): one GPIO
    • USB Powered
    • User Configurable VDD
    • All pins are available for use

Curiosity Nano Base for Click Boards™ Evaluation Kit

The Curiosity Nano Base for Click Boards evaluation kit is a hardware extension platform intended to ease the connection between the Curiosity Nano evaluation kit, the mikroBUS™ Click boards, and the Xplained Pro extension kits.

Figure 2-2. Overview of Curiosity Nano Base for Click Boards®

Web Page: www.microchip.com/DevelopmentTools/ProductDetails/PartNO/AC164162

Get the Kit: www.microchipdirect.com/dev-tools/AC164162

For more details, refer to the Curiosity Nano Base for Click Boards® User Guide.

Features:

  • Curiosity Nano Footprint
  • One Power LED
  • Three mikroBUS Sockets
  • One Xplained Pro Extension Header
  • Power:
    • USB powered from the Curiosity Nano kit
    • Alternative external power input
    • Option to power from, and charge, 4.20V Li-Ion/LiPo batteries
    • Fixed 3.3V PSU for target and mikroBUS sockets
    • Fixed 5.0V boost converter for 5V mikroBUS sockets

Microchip Curiosity High Pin Count Development Evaluation Kit

The Microchip Curiosity High Pin Count (HPC) Development kit supports Microchip’s 28-pin and 40-pin 8-bit PIC MCUs. The expansion headers on either side of the microcontroller socket provide access to all pins on the PIC microcontroller.

Figure 2-3. Overview of Curiosity High Pin Count Kit

Web Page: www.microchip.com/DevelopmentTools/ProductDetails/PartNO/DM164136

Get the Kit: www.microchipdirect.com/dev-tools/DM164136

For more details, refer to the Curiosity High Pin count Kit User Guide.

Features:

  • MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) compatibility
  • Programming and debugging support
  • Powered from USB, with option jumper for 3.3/5V
  • Master Clear (MCLR) Reset
  • Dual-row expansion headers
  • PIC MCU PDIP sockets for 28-pin and 40-pin microcontrollers
  • Two mikroBUS sockets
  • Four indication LEDs
  • Two push buttons
  • One potentiometer
  • All pins are available for use

Microchip Curiosity Low Pin Count Development Evaluation Kit

The Microchip Curiosity Low Pin Count (LPC) Development kit supports Microchip’s 8-pin, 14-pin, and 20-pin 8-bit PIC MCUs. The expansion headers on either side of the microcontroller socket provide access to all pins on the PIC microcontroller.

Web Page: www.microchip.com/DevelopmentTools/ProductDetails/PartNO/DM164137

Get the Kit: www.microchipdirect.com/dev-tools/DM164137

For more details, refer to the Curiosity Low Pin Count Development Board User Guide.

Features

  • The LPC board has the same features as the HPC board aside from the differences below
  • PIC MCU PDIP one socket for 8, 14-pin and 20-pin microcontrollers
  • RN4020 Bluetooth Module Footprint

Microchip Curiosity Explorer Evaluation Kit

The Microchip Curiosity Nano Explorer lives up to its name by providing extensive on-board features that allow users to explore and experiment with the microcontroller peripherals of their Curiosity Nano development board. It also serves as an ideal platform to become familiar with Microchip’s software offerings, including MPLAB Code Configurator Melody.

Figure 2-4. Overview of Curiosity Nano Explorer Evaluation Kit

Web Page: www.microchip.com/DevelopmentTools/ProductDetails/PartNO/EV58G97A

Get the Kit: www.microchipdirect.com/dev-tools/EV58G97A

For more details, refer to the Curiosity Nano Explorer User Guide.

Curiosity Explorer Evaluation Kit Features

  • Curiosity Nano socket
    • Supports all Curiosity Nano development boards
    • Fully re-mappable pinout
  • On-board peripherals
  • Multiple input options
    • MCP9808 temperature sensor
    • Microphone and amplifier (MCP6062) with adjustable gain
    • Joystick
    • Potentiometer
    • Push buttons
    • Touch buttons
    • Proximity/ambient light sensor
  • Multiple output options
    • LED row with eight yellow LEDs
    • OLED display
    • One RGB LED
    • Eight digital addressable LEDs
    • Three external PWM outputs for servomotors
    • Speaker and class-D amplifier with adjustable gain
  • External connectivity options
    • Grove I2C connector
    • mikroBUS socket
    • Qwiic® I2C connector
  • Multiple power sources
    • On-board USB Type-C® connector
    • USB powered from connected CNANO
    • External power options for addressable LEDs and servomotors
  • On-board Power Supplies
    • MIC33153 4 MHz PWM 1.2A internal inductor buck switcher power module to power 3.3V peripherals
    • MCP1754 3.3V 150 mA LDO to power USB bridge and power monitor circuitry
    • MIC2008 high-side power switch for slew rate control and over-current protection
  • MCP1501 user-remappable voltage references, 1.5V and 3.0V