Xtronix Rapid Prototyping for Microchip PIC 18Fxxx Series Processors

Xtronix Ltd have developed a series of prototyping PCBs that allow rapid in-house development of embedded systems using the Microchip PIC 18Fxxx series of microprocessors.

The PCB features serial (RS232 and TTL), USB, I2C and ICD-U (programming) interfaces to allow rapid prototyping of embedded systems.

The PCBs have a number of options, a DC to DC converter power supply (12 to 30 Volts DC Input), a surface mount
crystal oscillator (processor clock) and a precision voltage reference (used for analogue voltage measurements). A
processor reset button can also be fitted.

Xtronix uses the CCS PCWH ‘C’ Compiler to produce firmware for Microchip PIC processors. The RJ11 programming
connector mounted on the PCB is compatible with the CCS ICD-Uxx series of programmers and allows the processor to
be quickly programmed with the target firmware.

There is a 40 Pin processor and a 28 Pin processor version of the PCB. The processor can be mounted on a socket and all processor pins are brought out to pin headers adjacent to the processor pins to allow easy connections with oscilloscope probes or logic analyser probes.

The PCB can be used as a conventional “thru hole” prototyping system in which the components are directly soldered in the 0.1” through hole grid and wired up on the underside of the PCB.

Alternatively, by adding a “solderless” breadboard a rapid-prototyping solution is created:

The PCBs were designed in house at Xtronix using the Number One Systems EPC design software and the prototyping boards have been used to develop embedded processor systems for customers.

Xtronix Ltd has extensive experience in design, development and manufacture of embedded microprocessor systems with RS232, RS422, RS485, CAN Bus, Modbus, I2C, SPI, USB and Ethernet interfaces. Xtronix is able to take products
from the concept stage into prototyping and then through to the fully manufactured item.