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Hello,

I'm interested in getting started with the PIC32 series of MCUs from Microchip. I noticed, only recently, that Microchip came out with two new development boards that are capable of interacting with Arduino:

**broken link removed**

I would rather use the C32 compiler, but I'm not entirely sure that this is possible? Also, would MPLAB v8.xx or MPLAB X be able to contend with the new board?

I'm wondering for those who have already worked with these MCUs before, if you could give me your analysis of them. Do you like them? What don't you like about them? Would it be better to go onto ARMs?

Thank you,

Austin

Hi EN0,

I myself think that PIC32's are the ducks nuts I really can't fault them at all. They have a bucket-load of RAM, heaps of program memory, lots of speed and many useful peripherals.

Like I said in that other thread, PIC32's are excellent for running LCD's due to the DMA and PMP. If you have a picture (for example) in memory, you can draw that picture to the LCD itself using (pretty much) 0% CPU power. You just set the DMA and tell it where to read from (and write to) and then hardware does the rest for you. The DMA will also work for reading from SD card with very little software intervention.

Also, there are excellent libraries for the PIC32 ranging all the way from standard FFT up to voice recognition. The C32 compiler is based on GCC and is free, too.

Downsides? I haven't actually come across any yet but I'm sure there are some.

I understand I probably sound like a PIC32 salesman but needless to say, I am impressed by them.

I suggest you have a look over at the microchip C32 and PIC32 forums. There is a lot of information there.

I guess what it comes down to is personal preference. If you are familiar with and like PICs and MPLAB, then I see no reason to change.

Edit: Also, for your purpose there is an **broken link removed** describing how to port a software MP3 decoder to the PIC32 which may come in handy.

Hi Gobbledok,

What system do you use to program your PIC32s?

I use MPLAB and PicKit3 for programming and debugging.

I went ahead and ordered the chipKIT Max32 development board, as I should be able to get it working with MPLAB and C32.

I await its arrival!

EN0 said:

I went ahead and ordered the chipKIT Max32 development board, as I should be able to get it working with MPLAB and C32.

I await its arrival!

Click to expand...

Hi Eno,

You make no mention of having any programmer, just wondering how you are going to use the chipkit board, you will need a Pickit3 programmer to use it with Mplab.

If you use it in the Arduino enviroment, then it loads your Arduino code via a bootloader.
As far as I know from using my little Arduino Uno board, to program a chip direct or debug with arduino code you will need something like the avr Dragon board.

Hi Wp100,

I didn't realize I needed a PICKit 3 as well, but I ordered one along with the chipKIT Max32 anyway because I thought it was about time for me to upgrade. It's a good thing I did!

Thanks for noting that fact, otherwise I would have had a major setback.

Austin

When I'm looking for a development board, I usually look @ MikroElektronika.

https://www.mikroe.com/eng/categories/view/35/pic32mx-development-tools/

They have a huge set of plug-in board as well.

I extensively use their boards, pretty nice.

They do have some very nice boards, but the thing is, I'm not too keen on mikroC at the moment. I'm thinking that if you buy their development board you are restricted to using only their compilers? Is it possible to use a Microchip compiler, say, C32?

Yes you can use whatever you want. Their board have a on-board programmer, so you just need to load the generated .HEX file from ANY compiler in their programmer software and program the PIC.

Some board also have an ICD connector, this also mean you could use your PICKIT as ICD with it. (with the proper adapter of course)

That is good to know! I have noticed the MikroElectronika development boards before and they seem to be very reasonably priced for all the whistles and bells they have.

To me, they are the best for the bucks. I really love their development and plugin boards. Can't comment their compilers though.