Microchip Technology AC162067

Overview

AC162067 from Microchip Technology is a 28/40-pin header board designed for in-circuit debugging and emulation of PIC18F/LF24J10, PIC18F/LF25J10, PIC18F/LF44J10, and PIC18F/LF45J10 microcontrollers using the MPLAB REAL ICE in-circuit emulator. It routes ICD/ICE signals (ICCK, ICDT, ICRST) between the emulator and target device, supports dual-voltage operation (VDD ≤ 3.6 V, VDDcore ≤ 2.75 V for LF variants), and includes jumpers J2 and J3 to select between F and LF device versions.

For engineers reviewing the AC162067 datasheet, AC162067 pinout, AC162067 application, or AC162067 equivalent, this header enables hardware-assisted debug visibility into program flow, register states, and memory access for PIC18 J-series MCUs - critical during firmware bring-up, timing validation, and low-power mode verification in embedded control systems.

Technical Context

The AC162067 header interfaces a PIC18F45J10-ICE device with the MPLAB REAL ICE emulator via a modular interface cable, providing dedicated signal routing for ICCK (debug clock), ICDT (debug data), and ICRST (reset). It supports both standard (F) and low-voltage (LF) variants through jumper-selectable voltage regulator enable/disable logic.

Jumper J2 and J3 jointly configure VDDcore supply mode: when set to 1–2 on both, the internal voltage regulator is disabled and external VDDcore must be supplied (required for LF devices); when set to 2–3 on both, the regulator is enabled for F-device operation. Signal integrity is maintained via dedicated VDD/AVDD (red), VSS/AVSS (blue), and controlled trace routing per Microchip's header specification DS51292M.

Key Specifications

Availability

AC162067 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for embedded MCU development, production programming validation, and low-power firmware qualification requiring stable component supply and legacy toolchain compatibility.

Supply support for AC162067 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Microchip Technology Inc. is a U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and development tools for embedded applications.

The AC162067 belongs to Microchip's MPLAB REAL ICE header board family, engineered to extend full-speed in-circuit emulation capabilities to PIC18 J-series MCUs without requiring custom debug interface design.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the AC162067 header board?

The AC162067 header board serves as a mechanical and electrical interface between the MPLAB REAL ICE in-circuit emulator and specific PIC18F/LFxxJ10 microcontrollers. It routes debug signals (ICCK, ICDT, ICRST), provides power domain configuration for F/LF variants via jumpers J2 and J3, and enables hardware-assisted debugging without modifying the target PCB layout. The AC162067 is not a standalone debugger but a required adapter for supported devices.

Which microcontroller families does AC162067 support?

The AC162067 supports PIC18F24J10, PIC18F25J10, PIC18F44J10, PIC18F45J10, and their low-voltage counterparts (PIC18LF24J10, PIC18LF25J10, PIC18LF44J10, PIC18LF45J10). These are 28/40-pin Flash MCUs featuring enhanced mid-range architecture, nanoWatt XLP technology, and integrated USB or CAN peripherals - all requiring the AC162067 for full REAL ICE emulation capability.

How do I configure AC162067 for an LF device like PIC18LF45J10?

To configure AC162067 for an LF device, set both jumpers J2 and J3 to position 1–2. This disables the internal voltage regulator and requires external VDDcore ≤ 2.75 V to be supplied to the header's VDDcore pin. Failure to provide this external core voltage while using LF devices will result in improper debug initialization or communication failure. The AC162067 documentation explicitly states this requirement for LF operation.

Can AC162067 be used with MPLAB ICD 2 instead of MPLAB REAL ICE?

Yes, AC162067 can be physically connected to the MPLAB ICD 2 debugger, but only basic ICD functionality is available - not full emulation. The header was designed for MPLAB REAL ICE and its PIC18F45J10-ICE device; using it with ICD 2 bypasses advanced features like real-time trace, complex breakpoint conditions, and memory watchpoints. For full feature support, AC162067 must be paired with MPLAB REAL ICE and the correct ICE device.

Is AC162067 compatible with the PICDEM HPC Explorer Board?

No, AC162067 cannot be plugged directly into the PICDEM HPC Explorer Board without modification. The demo board operates at 5 V, while AC162067 supports only up to 3.6 V. To use them together, S3 must be set to ICE mode and jumper J2 must be reconfigured per the board's documentation to derive 3.3 V for VDDcore - otherwise, device damage may occur. This limitation is explicitly stated in the AC162067 specification document.