DEVELOPMENT BOARDS
Microstick Development Board
Microchip Technology, Inc., announces the Microstick for dsPIC33F and PIC24H development board which
provide a complete, low-cost solution for designing with
Microchip’s 16-bit PIC24H microcontrollers and dsPIC33F
Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) in a compact 20x76 mm
footprint. At a cost of $24.99, the Microstick offers an
integrated USB programmer/debugger which shortens
learning curves. For maximum flexibility, the Microstick can
be used stand-alone or be plugged into a prototyping
board. Educators are eligible for a 25% discount.
The Microstick is populated with a socketed
microcontroller that can be easily swapped out. It works
with the PIC24HJ64GP502 and the dsPIC33FJ64MC802
DSC. Software support includes the same free MPLAB®
Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and software
libraries that work with all of Microchip’s 8/16/32-bit PIC®
microcontrollers and DSCs. Additionally, the dsPIC33F DSCs
are supported by a free demo version of Microchip’s
Device Blocksets for the MATLAB® language and
Simulink® environment.
For further information, pleast contact:
Microchip
Technology, Inc.
Website: www.microchip.com
MICROCONTROLLERS
Arduino
Star ter
Kit
An Arduino Starter Kit
now available
from Micro
Controller Pros
Corp. includes a
multitude of
inputs, outputs,
24 SERVO 09.2010
and sensors to help get you started in the world of
Arduino.
The Starter Kit includes:
• Arduino Duemilanove ATmega328 — the latest Arduino
USB board, fully assembled and tested.
• 6’ USB A to B cable — USB provides power for up to 500
mA (enough for most projects) and is ample length to
connect to a desktop or laptop USB port.
• Miniature breadboard — Useful for making circuits and
connections off the Arduino. Breadboard may come in
various colors.
• Male to male jumper wires — High quality wires that
allow connection to the female headers on the Arduino
to the components and breadboard.
• Flex sensor — A 4. 5 inch sensor from Spectra Symbol
that is flexed; resistance increases from ~900 ohms
straight to 22,000 ohms at 180 degrees.
• SoftPot — By pressing down on various parts of the 50
mm strip, the resistance changes linearly from 100 ohms
to 10,000 ohms, allowing accurate calculation of the
relative position on the strip.
• Photocell — A sensor to detect ambient light.
• Thermistor — A sensor for detecting ambient
temperature and temperature changes.
• Tri-color LED — Can be used to PWM mix any colors
needed.
• Basic LEDs — Light-emitting diodes for use as indicators.
• Linear trim pot — Also known as a variable resistor, this
is a device commonly used to control volume, contrast,
and as a general user-control input.
• Buzzer — For making a range of noises, alarms, and
possibly music.
• 12 mm button — Larger size for ease of use.
• 330 ohm resistors — Five current-limiting resistors for
LEDs, and strong pull-up resistors.
• 10K ohm resistor — Can work as a pull-up, pull-down, or
current limiter.
Price of the kit is $59.95.
For further information, please contact:
MicroController
Pros Corporation
Website:
http://microcontrollershop.com
RFID
Serial RFID Read/Write Module
Designed in cooperation with Grand Idea Studio ( www.grandideastudio.com), the Parallax Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) Read/Write module
provides a low-cost solution to read and write passive RFID
transponder tags up to three inches away. The RFID
transponder tags provide a unique serial number and can
store up to 116 bytes of user data which can be password
protected to allow only authorized access.
