Chapter 1. Introducing The Explorer 16 Development Board; Introduction; Highlights; What's In The Kit - Microchip Technology Explorer 16 User Manual

Chapter 1. Introducing the Explorer 16 Development Board

1.1

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing Microchip Technology's Explorer 16 Development Board Kit.
The development board provides a low-cost, modular development system for
Microchip's new line of 16-bit microcontroller families, including the PIC24, PIC24H and
the 16-bit digital signal controller family, dsPIC33F.
As provided, the development board works as a demo board right from the box, and
also has the ability to extend its functionality through modular expansion interfaces.
The Explorer 16 board supports MPLAB ICD 2 for full emulation and debug capabilities,
and also allows 3V controllers to interface with 5V peripheral devices.
1.2

HIGHLIGHTS

This chapter covers the following topics:

• What's in the Kit

• Explorer 16 Development Board Functionality and Features
• Using the Explorer 16 Out of the Box
• Explorer 16 Development Board Demonstration Programs

• Reference Documents

1.3 WHAT'S IN THE KIT
The Explorer 16 Development Board Kit contains the following:
• The Explorer 16 Development Board.
• A preprogrammed PIC24FJ128GA010 Processor Installation Module (PIM),
already installed to the board
• A preprogrammed dsPIC33FJ256GP710 PIM
• An RS-232 cable
• The Explorer 16 Development CD ROM, containing:
- This User's Guide
- Data Sheets for the PIC24FJ128GA family and dsPIC33FJ256GP family
- Schematics and PCB drawing files for the PIM modules
- Example programs for use with the PIC24 and dsPIC33F devices
- Files detailing general purpose expansion boards that can be used with the
If you are missing any part of the kit, please contact your nearest Microchip sales office,
listed on the last page of this manual, for further assistance.
© 2005 Microchip Technology Inc.
EXPLORER 16 DEVELOPMENT
Explorer 16 board (provided in Gerber format)
Note: The Explorer 16 Development Board has been designed to function prima-
rily from a permanently mounted PIC24FJ128GA010 device at position U1.
Initial units will be shipped with U1 unpopulated and a PIC24FJ PIM of
equal functionality mounted on the U1A headers instead. When using the
PIC24FJ PIM or any other PIM, it is critical to verify that switch S2 always
remains in the "PIM" position. See Section 4.2.1 "Processor Support" for
more information.
BOARD USER'S GUIDE
DS51589A-page 7