Looking for test board ideas

[cncmachineguy]

Hey guys, I am trying to figure out a nice compliment of test/development boards. I get the impression from reading some of the posts, some of you are able to complie and test code at any time. I have never been able to do anything like that. I don't have anything specific I want to do, maybe thats why I can't wrap my head around this. The only boards I ever have are purpose built stuff.

I even remember reading a post where someone has about 5 different boards, for testing different code on different chips. Maybe these are development systems? I don't know if this post makes any sense, if not I am sure some questions will be asked.

If anyone has advice/reccomendations, please share.

[rmteo]

Something like this Support for MCUs in DIP8, DIP14, DIP18, DIP20, DIP28 and DIP40 packages. It comes with a PIC16F887. (http://www.mikroe.com/eng/products/view/297/easypic6-development-system/)

3 in 1 Development System - Development System + On-Board USB 2.0 programmer + On-Board mikroICD (In-Circuit Debugger): mikroICD is a highly effective tool for Real-Time debugging at hardware level. It enables you to execute mikroC, mikroPascal and mikroBasic programs on a host PIC microcontroller and monitor variable values, Special Function Registers (SFRs), RAM and EEPROM memory modules while the program is running. There is an ultra fast USB 2.0 programmer for MCU programming that now supports more PIC microcontrollers.
http://www.mikroe.com/img/development-tools/pic/easypic6/gallery/easypic6_550_2.jpg

[mackrackit]

Do not laugh to hard...
I can normally find something to test with in this mess :rolleyes:

[cncmachineguy]

@dave, whats to laugh at? that piles only 1 level deep! I have the MC pickit. still use it to program 16f676's Got it prolly 10 years ago for $39.

@rmteo, WOW thats a serious board. their site sure it chock full of options. So with that, I could do most anything with the supported chips? Will the ICD still work if I don't use their IDE?

[ScaleRobotics]

I recommend the EasyPic6 as well for an all around board. Their ICD is a stand alone ap that is well done. You don't need their IDE to use it. My only complaint, is that you have to buy another one to get the 3 volt k and J and LF devices to work on one.

(But I have to admit, my desk does look worse than Dave's. So I will move mine to the floor.)

I do use this one a fair amount as well: http://olimex.com/dev/pic-usb-stk.html It's nice for USB, sound applications and SD.
And you are stuck with one chip on this one, but it has lots of accessories. Total cost of $50.00: http://olimex.com/dev/pic-lcd3310.html 3 axis accelerometer, USB, nice display,

4854

[Acetronics2]

Hi,

Just add This http://www.selectronic.fr/article.asp?article_ref_entier=11.2330-4 to an EP6 and you'll do what you want ...

Mikro E. also sells transition adapters ... :):)

Alain

[rmteo]

I prefer a toolchain with much higher value/performance/utility such as the one below, but if you want to stay with PIC's then the EasyPIC type system will work.

4855 4856

[chuck]

I seen this on the net and thought it was a good idea and nice and simple, So I made my own. All single sided PCB to make it easy to make at home.
It consists of
Main board
GLCD board
LCD board
40pin board
28pin board
18pin board
The best thing about this I can just keep adding to it when I need to either just make it on bread board or hard hire but most cases I will layout the PCB for it. They just plug in
I've got and easypic 3 board but found I've not even used half the stuff on there, I did consider th easypic 6 board but for the same reason I see it would just be a waste of money.

[cncmachineguy]

@ chuck, I agree there is a lot of power with the EP6. I like the idea you presented, do you have any more info or what to goole on to find it?

@ rmteo, that thing looks intresting, prolly gonna stick with PIC's.

@ all, according to the EP6 site, there is no support for the 16f1947. does this mean it wont work with it or there is just no ready made plugin cards? I could make a card for it, if it will work.

[chuck]

Bert the PDF file I uploaded is my own design based on a version that I found on the net, I like to have my own PCB files so I can make alterations when I need to and just keep adding to them has I go on. some more adds on I'm working on are RF boards, RTC with eeprom,12way keypad,SD card the list is never ending.
I found the link , This is where I got the idea from and I altered it for my needs,I will make to master boards so I can work on a RF project i want to do
http://sergiols.blogspot.com/2009/10/multiboard-pic-trainer-20.html

If need be I can sort out the schematics and parts list for mine just let me know and I will sort it. Has for the overlay what I do is mirror it use a laser printer and iron it on the PCB and peel the paper off.

[malc-c]

Here's my set up

http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4028&d=1266671836

I purchased my EP5 board and then a month later they launched the EP6 ! At the moment I'm not sure that the EP6 supports any of the 3.3v PICs... maybe the EP7 might ??