Microchip Curiosity HPC Development Board

Even in this age of low cost 32-bit microcontrollers, 8-bit microcontrollers remain relevant and continue to be used in new designs. Microchip Technology’s Curiosity board is a cost-effective, fully integrated, 8-bit development platform targeted at first-time users, makers, and those seeking a feature-rich, rapid prototyping board. It includes an integrated programmer/debugger and requires no additional hardware to get started. The Curiosity HPC is a great tool to evaluate Microchip’s modern, 8-bit PIC microcontrollers. Out of the box, the development board offers several options for user interface including physical switches and an on-board potentiometer. A full complement of accessory boards is available via two MikroElectronika Mikrobus™ interface sockets provided on the HPC.

HPC Curiosity Board Details

The HPC Curiosity board provides both 28-pin and 40-pin sockets for 8-bit PIC® microcontrollers. Two unique PDIP sockets are surrounded by dual-row expansion headers, which allow for connectivity to all pins on the PIC MCUs.  A PIC16F18875 40-pin microcontroller is populated in the center of the demo board and is initially connected to the pushbuttons, potentiometer, reset button, LEDs (D2-D5), and mikroBUS™ headers.

Getting Started with the Curiosity HPC Board

I opened the box, reviewed the quick start guide and plugged in a USB cable as instructed. A couple of LEDs lit up on the board and drivers were installed on my laptop. The PIC16F18875 populated on the board is pre-flashed to interface with the two pushbutton switches and a potentiometer. For software development Microchip offers both standalone and web-based tools. To get started I tried out the MPLAB Express web-based tool.  It is easy to use and detailed instructions are provided in the “Curiosity High Pin Count Development Board User’s Guide” (see below link referenced in Microchip Resources).

MPLAB Express Screenshot

Click here to watch Randall Restle’s New Product Discovery video where he introduces the Microchip Curiosity board.

Availability at DigiKey

Curiosity HPC Board https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=DM164136-ND

Related Product Highlights

 https://www.digikey.com/en/product-highlight/m/microchip-technology/curiosity-hpc-development-board

Microchip Resources

Curiosity HPC 28/40 Dev Board Quick Start Guide http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/40001845A.pdf

Curiosity HPC Dev Board Users Guide http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/40001856A.pdf

Microchip HPC Development Board Link http://www.microchip.com/developmenttools/productdetails.aspx?partno=dm164136