Mikroe EasyPIC V8 User manual

E a s y P I C v 8 f o r P I C 2 4 / d s P I C 3 3 M a n u a l
P A G E 1
D E V E L O P M E N T B O A R D
EasyPIC v8
U S E R M A N U A L
forPIC24/dsPIC33

P A G E 2
E a s y P I C v 8 f o r P I C 2 4 / d s P I C 3 3 M a n u a l
It’s time to rethink the way you approach rapid prototyping
Let us introduce you to the latest generation of Mikroe development boards – E a s y P I C v 8 f o r P I C 2 4 / d s P I C 3 3
Time-saving embedded tools

All images shown in the manual are for illustration purpose only.
Introduction 5
Development board overview 6
Power supply unit 8
Detailed description 8
ADC INPUT 9
Voltage reference 9
Programming voltage 9
PSU connectors 10
Power/debug, USB-C connector 10
Power 12VDC, external power supply 10
Battery power supply 11
Power redundancy and uninterrupted power supply (UPS) 12
Powering up the development board 12
Dual power supply 12
CODEGRIP – programmer/debugger module 14
Device setup 15
PGC/PGD jumpers 15
DBG selection 15
Connectivity 16
MCU sockets 18
How to properly install the MCU into the DIP socket? 19
Crystal oscillator 19
INPUT/OUTPUT section 20
PORT buttons 20
BUTTONS PRESS LEVEL 20
UP-PULL-DOWN switch 20
PORT LEDs 20
2x5 pin headers 21
1x20 GLCD graphical display connector 22
1x16 LCD character display connector 25
mikroBUS™sockets 26
Click boards™27
Communication 28
USB-UART 28
CAN 28
LIN COMMUNICATION 29
USB 30
Additional GNDs 31
What’s Next? 34
Table of contents

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P A G E 5
The EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 is a development board designed
for the rapid development of embedded applications, based on 16-bit
PIC24/dsPIC33 microcontrollers (MCUs). Redesigned from the ground
up, EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 offers a familiar set of standard
features, as well as some new and unique features, common for the
8th generation of development boards: programming and debugging
over the WiFi network, connectivity provided by USB-C connectors,
support for a wide range of different MCUs, and more.
The development board is designed so that the developer has everything
that might be needed for the application development, following the
Swiss Army knife concept: a highly advanced programmer/debugger
module, a reliable power supply module, a huge set of connectivity
options including USB HOST/DEVICE, USB to UART, CAN, LIN etc.
EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 board offers a number of different DIP
sockets, covering a wide range of 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC33 MCUs, from
the smallest PIC24/dsPIC33 MCU devices with only 14 pins, all the way
up to 28-pin ones.
The development board supports the well-established mikroBUS™
connectivity standard, offering five mikroBUS™sockets, allowing
access to a huge base of Click boards™.
EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 offers two display options, allowing
even the basic 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC33 MCU devices to utilize them and
display graphical or textual content. One of them is the 1x20 graphical
display connector, compatible with the familiar Graphical Liquid Crystal
Display (GLCD) based on the KS108 (or compatible) display driver, and
EasyTFT board that contains TFT Color Display MI0283QT-9A, which
is driven by ILI9341 display controller, capable of showing advanced
graphical content. The other option is the 2x16 character LCD module,
a four-bit display module with the embedded character-based display
controller, which requires minimal processing power from the host
MCU for its operation.
There is a wide range of useful interactive options at the disposal:
high-quality buttons with selectable press levels, LEDs, pull-up/pull-
down DIP switches, and more. All these features are packed on a
single development board, which itself uses innovative manufacturing
technologies, delivering fluid and immersive working experience. The
EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board is also an integral
part of the Mikroe rapid development ecosystem. Natively supported
by the Mikroe Software toolchain, backed up by hundreds of different
Click board™designs with their number growing on a daily basis, it
covers many different prototyping and development aspects, thus
saving precious development time.
I N T R O D U C T I O N

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O V E R V I E W
Development
board overview
The EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board features a clean and intuitive
layout, allowing the user to instantly understand how to set it up and how to easily
tune it according to needs. The development board is divided into several sections,
arranged so that all the related interactive components such as switches, buttons,
indicators, and connectors, are logically positioned and grouped together.
Each section of the development board contains components important for reliable
operation of the board itself. The Power Supply Unit (PSU), the CODEGRIP programmer/
debugger module, and five mikroBUS™ sockets are located at the upper section of
the development board. This is where the MCU is powered from, programmed, and
interfaced with various Click boards™.
The PSU module provides a clean and well-regulated voltage for the development
board. It can use a wide range of external power sources, including a battery, an
external 12V power supply, and a power source over the USB-C connector. It supports
the power supply redundancy function (power ORing) for uninterrupted operation.
The onboard PSU module regulates, filters, and distributes the power across all the
connected peripherals. The development board is equipped with two touch-sensitive
buttons labeled as POWER and RESET. These buttons are used to power up the board
and reset the MCU. Their sleek design and flawless responsiveness add up to the whole
experience. These touch-sensitive buttons are resistant to wear over time and do not
exhibit any bouncing effect, unlike mechanical switches.
The powerful CODEGRIP module, an integrated programmer/debugger module
supports a wide range of different 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC33 MCUs, produced by Microchip.
It allows in-place programming and debugging of all the supported MCUs, offering
many useful programming/debugging options and seamless integration with the
Mikroe software environment. It also offers some powerful and unique features such
as the programming/debugging over WiFi; a feature that will revolutionize the way that
the embedded applications are developed.
The CODEGRIP module uses the USB-C connector for a reliable and secure connection
with the personal computer (host PC). It does not require any additional drivers
because it utilizes a HID driver model, natively supported by the computer's operating

E a s y P I C v 8 f o r P I C 2 4 / d s P I C 3 3 M a n u a l
P A G E 7 O V E R V I E W
system (OS). The USB-C connector is also used to power the development board,
simplifying the cable management.
The EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board offers five improved mikroBUS™
sockets, allowing interfacing with a vast amount of electronic circuits and reference
designs, standardized under the Click board trademark. Click boards™are simple to
use, require no additional hardware configuration and can be easily connected to the
development board by inserting them into any of the available mikroBUS™sockets.
A new design of the mikroBUS™socket allows even easier interfacing with the Click
board™line of products: it has a sturdier design which helps to align the Click board™
correctly. To read more about development improvements and huge benefits offered
by the mikroBUS™and Click board™line of products, visit the official Mikroe web page
at www.mikroe.com
The EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board is equipped with two display
connectors, located in the middle section of the board. One connector is a 1x16 pin
header used for connecting a character-based LCD in 4-bit mode. The second display
connector is a single row 20 pin header, which supports monochromatic GLCD and
EasyTFT board. The 1x20 pin graphical display connector is accompanied by two
4-pin connectors (4-pin FFC connector and 1x4 pin header), which are used for the
touch panel connection. The development board also provides the required circuitry,
allowing the resistive touch panel to be interfaced with the installed MCU. Both the LCD
and GLCD display connectors support a PWM-driven (dimmable) or fixed backlight
functionality.
The I/O section occupies the lower part of the development board and contains
available MCU pins routed to 2x5 pin headers for easy access. There are configurable
pull-up or pull-down resistors and buttons for applying logic states to MCU pins. LED
indicators provide visual feedback of logic states for each pin. The MCU pins are divided
into groups, following the grouping concept used on the MCU itself (PORTA, PORTB).
The I/O section is where the most interaction with the MCU takes place.
Communication options such as USB HOST/DEVICE, USB-UART, CAN are also included.
All the connectors are positioned at the edges of the development board, so they can
be easily accessed. This is also true for the power connectors, as well as for an external
RJ45 ICD connector. This allows clean and clutter-free cable management.
The EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board is equipped with the onboard
CODEGRIP module and supported by a powerful CODEGRIP Suite, enabling complete
control over the programming and debugging tasks. It is also used to configure
various other options and settings, providing visual feedback through its clean
and comprehensive Graphical User Interface (GUI). Detailed explanation on how to
configure and use the CODEGRIP module find at the following link: www.mikroe.com/
debuggers/codegrip

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P O W E R S U P P L Y
P A G E 8
Power supply unit
The power supply unit (PSU) (1) provides clean and regulated power, necessary for proper operation of
the development board. The host MCU, along with the rest of the peripherals, demands regulated and
noise-free power supply. Therefore, the PSU is carefully designed to regulate, filter, and distribute the
power to all parts of the development board. It is equipped with three different power supply inputs,
offering all the flexibility that EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 needs, especially when used on the field. In
the case when multiple power sources are used, an automatic power switching circuit with predefined
priorities ensures that the most appropriate will be used.
The PSU also contains a reliable and safe battery charging circuit, which allows a single-cell Li-Po/Li-
Ion battery to be charged. Power OR-ing option is also supported, providing uninterrupted power supply
(UPS) functionality when an external or USB power source is used in combination with the battery.
Detailed description
The PSU has a very demanding task of providing power for the host MCU and all the peripherals onboard,
as well as for the externally connected peripherals. One of the key requirements is to provide enough
current, avoiding the voltage drop at the output. Also, the PSU must be able to support multiple power
sources with different nominal voltages, allowing switching between them by priority. The PSU design,
based on a set of high-performance integrated devices produced by Microchip, ensures a very good
quality of the output voltage, high current rating, and reduced electromagnetic radiation.
At the input stage of the PSU, the MIC2253, a high-efficiency boost regulator IC with overvoltage
protection ensures that the voltage input at the next stage is well-regulated and stable. It is used to
boost the voltage of low-voltage power sources (a Li-Po/Li-Ion battery and USB), allowing the next
stage to deliver well-regulated 3.3V and 5V to the development board. A set of discrete components are
used to determine if the input power source requires a voltage boost. When multiple power sources are
connected at once, this circuitry is also used to determine the input priority level: externally connected
12V PSU (2), power over USB (3), and the Li-Po/Li-Ion battery (4). The transition between available
power sources is seamless, providing uninterrupted operation of the development board.
The next PSU stage uses two MIC28511, synchronous step-down (buck) regulators, capable of
providing up to 3A at their output. The MIC28511 IC utilizes the HyperSpeed Control® and HyperLight
Load® architectures, providing an ultra-fast transient response and high efficiency for light loads. Each
of the two buck regulators is used to supply power to the corresponding power supply rail (3.3V and 5V),
throughout the entire development board and connected peripherals.
1
2
3
4
(1) This image is only for demonstration purpose, please do not
remove the PSU plastic cover nor touch any of the components
below. The development board can be permanently damaged.

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P A G E 9
Voltage reference
The PSU is able to provide a very accurate, programmable voltage reference (VREF) (5) in the range from 0V to
4.096V. VREF is very useful for many different applications including A/D and D/A converters, comparators,
etc.
The programmable VREF design is based on several different ICs produced by Microchip: the MCP1501, a
high-precision buffered voltage reference IC is used to provide a very precise VREF of 4.096V for the MCP4726,
a 12-bit D/A converter (DAC) with integrated EEPROM. The MCP4726 DAC is controlled and programmed by
the CODEGRIP module, over the I2C interface. Finally, the MCP606, a single rail-to-rail operational amplifier
is used to provide an additional buffering at the output. By using a 4-pole DIP switch (6) located in the VREF
section of the development board, it is possible to route VREF to four different MCU pins:
ON (up): connects VREF to the MCU pins (RB0, RB3, RB4, and RB6)
OFF (down): disconnects VREF from the MCU pins (RB0, RB3, RB4, and RB6)
Programming voltage
Not all PIC24/dsPIC33 MCU devices support low voltage programming. Therefore, the PSU module has to
provide the required high voltage (VPP) for the programming of such devices. The VPP is controlled by the
CODEGRIP module automatically, it depends on the programmed MCU and can’t be modified by the user. To
provide a sufficient voltage level, the MIC2250, a high-efficiency, low EMI boost regulator is used. It is used
to provide 14V for the operational amplifier circuit composed of a dual operational amplifier, labeled as
MCP6H02T, and produced by Microchip. This circuit has a fixed gain, allowing the CODEGRIP programmer/
debugger module to reach up to 14V for the high-voltage programming of various PIC24/dsPIC33 MCU
devices.
ADC INPUT
A/D converters are specialized circuits which can convert analog signals (voltages) into a digital
representation, usually in form of an integer number. The value of this number is linearly dependent on the
input voltage value. Most microcontrollers nowadays internally have A/D converters connected to one or
more input pins.
EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 provides an interface in form of a potentiometer for simulating analog input
voltages that can be routed to any of the 10 supported analog input pins. In order to connect the output of
the potentiometer P1 (7) to RB0, RB1, RB14, RB15 analog microcontroller inputs, you have to place the DIP
switch SW7 (8) in the desired position.
SW7 (ADC IN):
UP position: potentiometer is connected to the respective MCU pin
DOWN position: potentiometer is disconnected from the respective MCU pin
P A G E 9 P O W E R S U P P L Y
Figure 1: Power supply unit view
N O T E
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6
7
8
5
In order to protect host MCU and development board, VREF values higher then 3.3V
can only be set if the board voltage is previously set to 5V.

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P O W E R S U P P L Y
PSU connectors
As explained, the advanced design of the PSU allows several types of power sources to
be used, offering unprecedented flexibility: when powered by a Li-Po/Li-ION battery,
it offers an ultimate degree of autonomy. For situations where the power is an issue,
it can be powered by an external 12VDC power supply, connected over the 5.5mm
barrel connector. Power is not an issue even if it is powered over the USB cable. It can
be powered over the USB-C connector, using power supply delivered by the USB HOST
(e.g. personal computer), USB wall adapter, or a battery power bank.
There are three power connectors available, each with its unique purpose:
POWER/DEBUG,USB-C connector
BATTERY, standard 2.5mm pitch XH battery connector
POWER 12VDC, barrel type male 2mm x 6.5mm power connector
Power/debug, USB-C connector
The development board can be powered over the USB-C connector, labeled as POWER/
DEBUG. This connector provides power from the USB host, USB power bank, or USB
wall adapter. When powered over the USB connector, the available power will depend
on the USB power source capabilities.
Maximum power ratings, along with the allowed input voltage range in the case when
the USB power supply is used, are given in the table below:
Power 12VDC, external power supply
An external 12V power supply can be connected over the 12VDC barrel connector.
When using an external power supply, it is possible to obtain an optimal amount of
power, since one external power supply unit can be easily exchanged with another,
while its power and operating characteristics can be decided per application. The
development board allows a maximum current of 2.8A per power rail (3.3V and 5V)
when using an external 12V power supply. The barrel-type connector is useful for
connecting wall-adapters.
Maximum power ratings, along with the allowed input voltage range in the case when
the external power supply is used, are given in the table below:
Figure 2: USB power supply table
USB Power Supply
Input Voltage [V] Output Voltage [V]
3.3
5
3.3 & 5
1.8
1.4
0.8 & 0.8
6
7
6.64
Max Current [A] Max Power [W]
MIN
4.4 5.5
MAX
When using a PC as a power source, the maximum power can be obtained if the host
PC supports the USB 3.2 interface and is equipped with USB-C connectors. If the host
PC has a USB 2.0 interface, it will be able to provide the least power, since only up to
500 mA (2.5W at 5V) is available from the host in that case. Note that when using
long USB cables or USB cables of low quality, the voltage may drop outside the rated
operating voltage range, causing unpredictable behavior of the development board.
N O T EIf the host PC is not equipped with the USB-C connector, a Type A to Type C USB
adapter may be used (included in the package).
Figure 3: External Power supply table
External Power Supply
Input Voltage [V] Output Voltage [V]
3.3
5
3.3 & 5
2.8
2.8
2.8 & 2.8
9.24
14
23.24
Max Current [A] Max Power [W]
MIN
10.6 14
MAX

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P A G E 11 P O W E R S U P P L Y
N O T E When connecting an external power supply over a barrel connector, make sure
that the polarity of the barrel connector is matched with its counterpart on
the development board, according to the image printed next to the male DC
connector.
Battery power supply
When powered by a single-cell Li-Po/Li-Ion battery, the development board offers
an option to be operated remotely. Combined with the fact that the board can be
remotely programmed and debugged over the WiFi network, the EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/
dsPIC33 development board allows complete autonomy, allowing it to be used in
some very specific situations: hazardous environments, agricultural applications, etc.
The development board uses a 2.5mm pitch XH battery connector. It allows a range
of Li-Po and Li-Ion batteries to be connected. The development board offers battery
charging functionality from both the USB connector and the external power supply.
The battery charging circuitry of the PSU module manages the battery charging
process, ensuring optimal charging conditions and longer battery life. The charging
process is indicated by a CHARGER LED indicator.
The battery charging current can be configured by using the CODEGRIP Suite, which
offers a choice between 100mA and 500mA when the USB power supply is used,
or between 100mA and 200mA when the external 12V power supply is used. In the
case when the development board is powered OFF, the charging current will be set to
500mA by default (200mA with the external power supply).
If both the external 12V power supply and the USB cable are connected to the
development board, the battery will be charged from the external 12V power supply,
thus minimizing the USB power consumption.
Maximum power ratings at a fully charged battery, along with the allowed input
voltage range when the battery power supply is used, are given in the following table:
N O T E It is advised to disable the battery charging circuitry if there is no battery
connected to the EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board. This can
be done using CODEGRIP Suite.
Battery Power Supply
Input Voltage [V] Output Voltage [V]
3.3
5
3.3 & 5
1.6
1.2
0.7 & 0.7
5.28
6
5.81
Max Current [A] Max Power [W]
MIN
3.5 4.2
MAX
Figure 4: Battery Power Supply table
Using USB hubs, long USB cables, and low-quality USB cables, may cause a
significant USB voltage drop, which can obstruct the battery charging process. 

P A G E 12
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Power redundancy and uninterrupted
power supply (UPS)
The PSU module supports power supply redundancy: it will automatically switch to
the most appropriate power source if one of the connected power sources fails or
becomes disconnected. The power supply redundancy also allows for an uninterrupted
operation (e.g. UPS functionality, the battery will still provide power if the USB cable is
removed, without resetting the MCU during the transition period).
Powering up the development board
Two touch-sensitive buttons are used to power up and reset the EasyPIC v8 for
PIC24/dsPIC33 development board. These capacitive buttons are processed by two
AT42QT1011, digital burst mode charge-transfer sensors, specifically designed for
human-machine interfaces (HMI), from Microchip. The AT42QT1011 allows very
responsive and reliable touch detection for the connected button pad.
As soon as a valid power source is connected, the development board will enter the
Stand-By mode. When the capacitive POWER button is pressed, the PSU module will
start distributing the power to the rest of the development board. This is indicated by
the POWER LED indicator, located on the PSU module itself.
Right under the POWER LED, there is a CHARGE LED, indicating the charging status of
the Li-Po/Li-Ion single cell battery, if connected. The complete battery power supply
section, including the battery charger circuit, is explained in the respective chapter
of this manual.
Below the POWER capacitive button (1), there is a RESET capacitive button (2) which
is not entirely power-related, but it has a similar function: it is routed to the MCLR pin
of the MCU, allowing the RESET function to be performed.
P A G E 12 P O W E R S U P P L Y
Dual power supply
EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board supports both 3.3V and 5V power
supply on a single board. Advanced PSU module provides the possibility to chose
power supply for board and host MCU, between 3.3V (default) and 5V. This setting
can be easily configured from CODEGRIP Suite, and this feature greatly increases the
number of supported MCUs.
To easily indicate the power supply configuration, the previously mentioned POWER
LED will also have a dual function. It lights up GREEN when 3.3V power supply is
configured, and lights up BLUE when 5V power supply is chosen.

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P A G E 13
1 2
Figure 5: Battery power supply connection

P A G E 14
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CODEGRIP programmer/debugger module
Envisioned as the unified development platform for all the 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC33
MCUs in DIP package, the EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board is
equipped with the onboard CODEGRIP programming/debugging module, to support
programming/debugging feature. The CODEGRIP module can be interfaced with the
host computer over the USB-C connector.
Besides the USB cable, the CODEGRIP module (1) can be accessed over the WiFi
network. This is a revolutionary new feature, which allows some unique usage
scenarios, currently not available on any other programming/debugging solution in
the world. The WiFi connectivity option of the CODEGRIP module offers a complete
autonomy of the development board. Running in the hazardous environment while
debugging the software in real time, programming the MCU with a new software
during exposure, having the sensor responses collected and logged remotely from
several different base points, debugging a drone firmware while it is in mid-air... These
are just simple examples of what EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board
can offer.
CODEGRIP module is equipped with LED indicators that provide visual feedback about
its status:
POWER (GREEN) Indicates that the development board is powered on
USB-LINK (YELLOW) After the host OS completes the USB enumeration of the
CODEGRIP module, this LED will indicate that the connection has been established
NET-LINK (AMBER) When the CODEGRIP module is connected to the WiFi network,
this LED will indicate that the connection has been established
ACTIVE (RED) Indicates the operational state of the CODEGRIP module: when
CODEGRIP module is in the bootloader mode, this indicator will blink. Normal operation
of the CODEGRIP module is indicated by the ACTIVE LED being constantly turned ON
DATA (BLUE) Indicates that there is a data transfer ongoing between the MCU and the
CODEGRIP module
The onboard CODEGRIP module requires no additional drivers, as it utilizes a HID driver
model, which is natively supported by the computer OS. This makes its installation
very easy and straightforward in the case when the USB cable is used. As soon as the
USB cable is connected to the host PC, the CODEGRIP module is enumerated and the
development board is ready to be used.
CODEGRIP programmer/debugger module is supported by CODEGRIP Suite. Detailed
explanation on how to configure and use the CODEGRIP module on the EasyPIC v8 for
PIC24/dsPIC33 development board can be found at the following link:
www.mikroe.com/debuggers/codegrip
P A G E 14 C O D E G R I P
CODEGRIP device setup
Since the development board supports many different MCUs with a different number
of pins and functionalities, it is necessary to connect the CODEGRIP programmer/
debugger to the correct programming lines (PGC, PGD) of the particular MCU. The
development board allows easy selection of the programming lines by offering a set
of high-quality jumpers, which ensure reliable operation. For more information about
MCU DIP sockets and how to use them, please refer to the MCU sockets chapter.
All jumpers required to set up the programming and reset lines for each DIP socket,
are grouped under the DEVICE SETUP label, in a section located in the middle of the
EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board.
PGC/PGD jumpers
There are three jumpers located in the DEVICE SETUP section, labeled as PGC/PGD. These
jumpers allow to redirect the programming lines of the CODEGRIP onboard module to the
corresponding programming pins of the MCU. These jumpers have an MCU DIP socket name
printed next to it, so it is very easy to know which one should be used for which socket.
If using DIP28A MCU socket, a jumper with the J11 label should be used to configure
the programming lines:
J11 (DIP28A)
GPIO (up): allows the RB6 and RB7 pins to be used as GPIO lines
PGC/PGD (down): connects the RB6 and RB7 pins to the CODEGRIP
programmer/debugger module or external device

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P A G E 15
DBG selection
The EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board is equipped with
the RJ-45 connector (2), allowing an external programmer/debugger to
be connected. The connector supports a wiring pinout compatible with
Microchip®ICD external programmers/debuggers. This connector also
supports connection of the RJ-12 cable, connect the RJ-12 cable by simply
inserting it into the center of the RJ-45 connector.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1MCLR
VDD
GND
PGD
PGC
2
3
4
5
6
8
RJ-45 RJ-12 ICSP (MHCP)
EXT PROG/DBG PINOUT
If using DIP28B/C, DIP20A or DIP18 MCU sockets, a jumper with the J12
label should be used to configure the programming lines:
J12 (DIP28B/C, DIP20A, DIP18)
GPIO (up): allows the RB0 and RB1 pins to be used as GPIO lines
PGC/PGD (down): connects the RB0 and RB1 pins to the CODEGRIP
programmer/debugger module or external device
If using DIP20B or DIP14 MCU sockets, a jumper with the J13 label should
be used to configure the programming lines:
J13 (DIP20B, DIP14)
GPIO (up): allows the RA0 and RA1 pins to be used as GPIO lines
PGC/PGD (down): connects the RA0 and RA1 pins to the CODEGRIP
programmer/debugger module or external device
The DIP switch located next to the RJ-45 connector allows control of the
interface between onboard CODEGRIP module and target MCU:
ONBOARD (down): Interface is enabled. If an external debugger probe-device
is connected, there is a possible collision in communication.
EXTERNAL (up): Interface is disabled. External debugger probe-device can
reliably communicate with target MCU.
Figure 6: Programmer/debugger view
1 2

P A G E 16
E a s y P I C v 8 f o r P I C 2 4 / d s P I C 3 3 M a n u a l
CONNECTIVITY
Connectivity
One of the key features of the EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board is its connectivity.
It features a diversity of connecting options making the board very versatile, adaptable to any situation, and
very easy to work with.
The EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board supports all 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC33 MCUs in DIP package
type. To allow this, the development board offers total of seven DIP socket sizes: DIP28 [A, B, C], DIP20 [A, B],
DIP18 and DIP14.
The development board also features two display connectors (1x16 character display connector and 1x20
graphical display connector), USB HOST/DEVICE, USB-UART, an external ICD compatible programmer/
debugger connector and more. The PORT I/O section is the most distinctive connectivity option. It allows direct
interfacing with the MCU pins. This section also contains LEDs for visual indication of pin states, BUTTONs for
applying the desired logic states to the pins, and DIP switches for configuring pull-up or pull-down resistors.
All LEDs, buttons, and headers are logically organized and grouped as PORTs, following the pin organization
topology of the MCU itself.
Availability of five standardized mikroBUS™sockets is something that makes the EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33
development board very special: the world of Click boards™is now just under your fingertips. By combining up
to 5 different Click boards™, virtually an unlimited number of combinations is possible, considering the fact
that the Click board™repository already has several hundreds of various Click boards™, with more added on a
daily basis. Tight integration of the EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board with the whole Mikroe
ecosystem, allows seamless and effortless prototyping, and truly rapid embedded application development.
For more info about the mikroBUS™standard and the Click board™line of products, please visit the official
Mikroe web page at: www.mikroe.com
C O N N E C T I V I T Y

E a s y P I C v 8 f o r P I C 2 4 / d s P I C 3 3 M a n u a l
P A G E 17 C O N E C T I V I T Y
Easily create an IoT Weather Station with the EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development
board.
Use the following tools:
G2C click
OLED C click
Temp-Log 2 click
Thunder click
LPS22HB click
EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33
development board
EasyTFT board

P A G E 18
E a s y P I C v 8 f o r P I C 2 4 / d s P I C 3 3 M a n u a l
7 2
64
Figure 7: Main board with MCU socket section view
MCU sockets
As previously mentioned, the EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board
supports all 16-bit PIC24/dsPIC33 MCUs in DIP package type. There are seven
different sockets, ranging from DIP14 (14-pin DIP socket), up to DIP28 (28-pin DIP
socket). All DIP sockets are grouped in the lower left area of the board (1).
Only a single DIP socket should be populated at a time since their lines are shared.
Each DIP socket allows an MCU with the specific pin-count to be used. For example, if
using a 28-pin MCU, it should be placed into the one of the DIP28 sockets, exclusively
(i.e. placing an 18-pin MCU into the DIP28 socket will cause pin misalignment and
other problems). However, there are exceptions to this rule: if using an MCU in DIP28
package type, there are three options available, depending on its pinout: DIP28A,
DIP28B and DIP28C. To determine the correct socket that should be used in this case,
the pinout of the MCU should be compared with the pinout which is printed next to
these sockets.
How to install the MCU into the DIP socket?
First make sure that a half circular cut in the microcontroller DIP packaging matches
the cut in the DIP socket (2). Align both ends of the microcontroller with the socket.
Then put the microcontroller slowly down until all the pins match the socket. Check
again if everything is placed correctly and gently press the microcontroller until it is
completely plugged into the socket.
31 5
Only a single MCU must be installed into the development board at a time. 

E a s y P I C v 8 f o r P I C 2 4 / d s P I C 3 3 M a n u a l
P A G E 19
Crystal oscillator
Most of PIC MCU devices can use an external quartz-crystal oscillator. There are two
sockets for installing the crystal oscillator, depending on which MCU socket will be
used:
Crystal oscillator socket OSC1(X1) is routed to DIP20A, DIP20B, DIP18 and DIP14
MCU sockets (3)
Crystal oscillator socket OSC2(X2) is routed to DIP28A, DIP28B and DIP28C MCU
sockets (4)
Above the DIP20A MCU socket, there is a jumper J16 (5) used to specify whether the
OSC1/RA2 and OSC1/RA3 will be used as GPIO on the corresponding MCU sockets, or
connected to the OSC1 crystal oscillator socket:
J16 (OSC1)
UP position: allows the RA2 and RA3 to be used as GPIO lines
DOWN position: connects the RA2 and RA3 to the crystal oscillator socket OSC1
Above the DIP28A MCU socket, there is a jumper J14 (6) used to specify whether the
OSC2/RB1 and OSC2/RB2 will be used as GPIO on the corresponding MCU sockets, or
connected to the OSC2 crystal oscillator socket:
J14 (OSC2)
UP position: allows the RB1 and RB2 to be used as GPIO lines
DOWN position: connects the RB1 and RB2 to the crystal oscillator socket OSC2
Above the DIP28C MCU socket, there is a jumper J15 (7) used to specify whether the
OSC2/RA2 and OSC2/RA3 will be used as GPIOs on the corresponding MCU sockets, or
connected to the OSC2 crystal oscillator socket:
J15 (OSC2)
UP position: allows the RA2 and RA3 to be used as GPIO lines
DOWN position: connects the RA2 and RA3 to the crystal oscillator socket OSC2
C O N N E C T I V I T Y

P A G E 20
E a s y P I C v 8 f o r P I C 2 4 / d s P I C 3 3 M a n u a l
C O N N E C T I V I T Y
INPUT/OUTPUT section
I/O pins of any MCU are internally grouped as PORTs. The same grouping concept is
kept throughout the development board as well, offering a clean and organized user
interface.
There are three PORTs (1) on the EasyPIC v8 for PIC24/dsPIC33 development board,
labeled from PORTA to PORB. Depending on the pin-count of the MCU, not all PORTs
will be used. However, the development board supports the highest pin-count MCUs in
DIP package type (28 pins). The PORTs are located at the lower right side of the board,
each containing a set of buttons, LEDs, an eight-pole DIP switch, and a single 2x5 pin
header with the standard 2.54mm pitch. The PORTs are labeled according to the MCU
PORT they are routed to.
PORT buttons
PORT buttons (2) can be used to apply an arbitrary logic state to the pins of the MCU.
These buttons are small tactile SPST buttons that work in combination with a DIP
switch (SW4), labeled as BUTTON. This DIP switch is located in the BOARD SETUP
section.
BUTTON PRESS LEVEL
This four-pole, tri-state DIP switch allows the button to apply a LOW logic level to an
MCU pin when pressed (connecting it to the GND), or to apply a HIGH logic level when
pressed (connecting it to the power rail). It can also be used to completely disconnect
the button, preventing accidental button presses. To limit the pin current and prevent
the excessive inrush of currents when a button is pressed, a protective 220Ωresistor
is used, connected in series with the switch. Each position of the BUTTON PRESS
LEVEL (3) is used to determine the applied logic level of a button press for the entire
PORT. As a result, only three poles of this DIP switch are used, allowing control of all
three groups of buttons (unused poles are marked with the NC label - Not Connected).
BUTTON PRESS LEVEL:
UP position: a button press applies HIGH logic level to the corresponding PORT pins
MID position: a button is completely disconnected
DOWN position: a button applies LOW logic level to the corresponding PORT pins
UP-PULL-DOWN switch
Besides buttons, each of the three PORTs has an eight-pole DIP switch associated
with it. It is labeled as UP-PULL-DOWN (4) and it is used to enable a pull-up or pull-
down resistor for the specific pin or to leave the pin in a floating state:
UP-PULL-DOWN:
UP position: connects a 4.7kΩresistor between the MCU power rail and the pin (the
pin is pulled up)
MID position: Disables both pull-up and pull-down resistor connections from the
pin (the pin is in the floating state)
DOWN position: Connects the 4.7kΩresistor between the GND and pin associated with
the DIP switch position (the pin is pulled down)
PORT LEDs
Each PORT contains a group of maximum eight LEDs (5) used to provide a visual
indication of the logic state of the specific pin. The maximum current through a
single LED is limited with the 4.7kΩresistor. Each LED is connected to a PORT pin
and it is labeled according to the name of the connected pin. LEDs on each PORT
should be disconnected when not used. Having a LED on a communication line or an
A/D converter input might alter expected results since LED represents an additional
electrical load. There is a ten-pole DIP switch (SW6) (6) located in the BOARD SETUP
section. Three poles of this DIP switch, labeled as PORT LEDs are used to enable or
disable LEDs on each PORT: