Summary of Revised version of the PIC12F microcontrollers breakout board
Concise summary: A revised PIC12F development board simplifies standalone projects with 8-pin PIC12F microcontrollers. It provides on-board +5V regulation, ICSP programming header, I/O and power headers, reset/user tactile switch, prototyping area, power and user LEDs, and provisions for an external ON/OFF switch. The kit is sold on Tindie for $10.99 and does not include the microcontroller.
Parts used in the PIC12F breakout board:
- PIC12F series microcontroller (not included in kit)
- AMS1117-5.0V voltage regulator
- 2-pin terminal block for DC input (6-12 V DC)
- Tactile switch connected to RA3
- ICSP header for programming (chipKIT2/3 compatible)
- Header connectors for I/O and power pins (Vcc and GND)
- Small prototyping area (PCB pads)
- Plated-through-holes for external ON/OFF switch
- Power supply indicator LED (LED1)
- User output LED (LED2) connected to GP5 via jumper J3
- Jumper J3 to connect/disconnect LED2 to GP5
The 12F series of PIC microcontrollers are handy little 8-pin devices designed for small embedded applications that do not require too many I/O resources, and where small size is advantageous. These applications include a wide range of everyday products such as hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, rice cookers, vacuum cleaners, coffee makers, and blenders.
Despite their small size, the PIC12F series microcontrollers offer interesting features including wide operating voltage, internal programmable oscillator, 4 channels of 10-bit ADC, on-board EEPROM memory, on-chip voltage reference, multiple communication peripherals (UART, SPI, and I2C), PWM, and more. This is a revised version of the previous PIC12F development board and is designed for fast and easy development of standalone applications using PIC12F microcontrollers. It features an on-board regulated +5V power supply, header connectors to access I/O pins, an ICSP header for programming, a reset circuit, and a small prototyping area for placing additional components.
Key features:
- 2-pin terminal block for DC input (6-12 V DC)
- AMS1117-5.0V regulator on board
- Tact switch connected to RA3 I/O pin, which is input only. It can be used as reset if MCLR is enabled. It can also be used as an user input if MCLR is disabled.
- Header connector for ICSP programming using chipKIT2/3.
- Headers to access I/O pins and power supply pins (Vcc = +5V, and GND).
- Small prototyping area for connecting additional circuit. The regulated +5V power supply for the additional circuit can be derived from the Vcc header pins.
- Two plated-through-holes for connecting an external ON/OFF switch.
- Power supply indicator LED (LED1)
- User output LED (LED2) connected to GP5 pin through a jumper (J3).
For circuit diagram and other details, visit the original article that was posted before.
The PIC12F breakout board is available on Tindie (Buying Link) for $10.99 as kit. Note that the kit doesn’t contain the microcontroller.
For more detail: Revised version of the PIC12F microcontrollers breakout board
- What voltage input does the board accept?
The board accepts 6-12 V DC via a 2-pin terminal block. - Does the board include a voltage regulator?
Yes, it includes an AMS1117-5.0V regulator to provide +5V. - Can I program the PIC on-board?
Yes, there is an ICSP header for programming using chipKIT2/3. - Is the PIC microcontroller included in the kit?
No, the kit on Tindie does not contain the microcontroller. - How can I use the tactile switch on the board?
The tact switch is connected to RA3; it can act as reset if MCLR is enabled or as a user input if MCLR is disabled. - Is there a provision for an external ON/OFF switch?
Yes, the PCB has two plated-through-holes for connecting an external ON/OFF switch. - Are there LEDs on the board and what do they indicate?
Yes, LED1 indicates power supply status; LED2 is a user output connected to GP5 via jumper J3. - Can I power additional circuitry from the board?
Yes, the small prototyping area can use the regulated +5V derived from the Vcc header pins for additional circuits.
