Microchip's 18F2520 8-Bit Processor. 32K of program space and 25 I/O lines, 10 of which are 10bit Analog to Digital converter capable. Runs up to 40MHz in conjunction with the internal PLL and an external 10MHz crystal, or can also be run up to 20MHz with an external 20MHz external crystal. Internal 8MHz oscillator also available. Check datasheet for more information on oscillator settings. Package can be programmed in circuit.
This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.
Skill Level: Rookie - The number of pins increases, and you will have to determine polarity of components and some of the components might be a bit trickier or close together. You might need solder wick or flux.
See all skill levels
If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Competent - The toolchain for programming is a bit more complex and will examples may not be explicitly provided for you. You will be required to have a fundamental knowledge of programming and be required to provide your own code. You may need to modify existing libraries or code to work with your specific hardware. Sensor and hardware interfaces will be SPI or I2C.
See all skill levels
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Competent - You will be required to reference a datasheet or schematic to know how to use a component. Your knowledge of a datasheet will only require basic features like power requirements, pinouts, or communications type. Also, you may need a power supply that?s greater than 12V or more than 1A worth of current.
See all skill levels
We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.
No reviews yet.
I'm a long-time software engineer, looking to get into PICs (total PIC noob). What programmers sold on SparkFun will work with this PIC (18F2520)?
Also, I'm assuming the development board DEV-00018 is just a test harness and not an actual programmer. Is this assumption correct?
Correct, the dev boards do not contain programmers, but most of them have an ICSP header which can be used to connect any of the PIC programmers with ICSP connectors (like PGM-00009, the $12 serial programmer). I haven't tried it myself, but taking a quick peek at the schematic for DEV-00018 (I suspect they are all like this), it shows the ICSP connection for PGM at RB3, but the 18F2520 datasheet shows PGM at RB5, so you will likely need to jumper that or something, otherwise the pinouts look compatible to me.