Specifications

115
Debugging and testing is going to be the Explorer 16 Development board‟s
primary function. The 6-wire In-Circuit Debugger (ICD) connector included on
the board connects to MPLAB ICD 3 software including in the development kit.
The MPLAB ICD 3 is a programming/ debugging module made for beginning
users for real time debugging, high speed programming and a ruggedized probe
interface, perfect for protection against over voltage and current situations.
Included with the Explorer 16 Development Board are two preprogrammed 16-bit
sample devices: a dsPIC33FJ256GP710 and a PIC24FJ128GA010. This is
great for our system as our main microcontroller unit is under the
dsPIC33FJ256GP710 family. One of the great features that accompany the
development board is the Plug-in Modules (PIM) options. The secondary
microcontroller is not included with the development kit, so having Microchip‟s®
PIM options for the other PIC families are essential for our project. For the
secondary microcontroller, we need the 100-pin Plug-in Module (PIM) for our
PIC24F04KA201 to test. Microchip® has a PIM with a 28-pin PIC24F16KA102
sample device which can be used with the Explorer 16 Development board. This
sample PIM is in the same related family as the PIC24F04KA201, the module we
are going with in our design.
5.2 MRF24J40MB PICtail™/ PICtail Plus
Daughter Board
To test Microchip‟s® MRF24J40MB IEEE 802.15.4 RF transceiver module, a
PICtail™ daughter board is a perfect solution for developing, testing. This
daughter board is compatible with Microchip‟s® 16-bit microcontroller Explorer 16
Development Board that we are also using. The MRF24J40MB wireless chip
module will be placed at the top in the designated slot on the upper portion of the
PICtail™ daughter board like the one shown in Figure 57 below.
2"
2"
Figure 57 MRF24J40MB PICtail™/ PICtail Plus Daughter Board
(Reprinted with permission from Microchip®)