Microchip Technology MA180021

Overview

MA180021 from Microchip Technology is a plug-in module (PIM) evaluation board for the PIC18F87J50 full-speed USB microcontroller, featuring a preprogrammed HID mouse firmware, 12 MHz crystal, 3.3V LDO regulator (TC1108-3.3VDB), dual red LEDs (RE0/RE1), and ICSP™ programming header. It operates stand-alone or mounted on the HPC Explorer board (DM183022) for rapid USB firmware development and compliance testing.

For engineers reviewing the MA180021 datasheet, MA180021 pinout, MA180021 application, or MA180021 equivalent, this module supports USB 2.0 full-speed (12 Mbit/s) and low-speed (1.5 Mbit/s) enumeration, endpoint configuration up to 32, and dual-access 3.9 KB USB RAM - critical for HID, CDC, and custom class prototyping with minimal external components.

Technical Context

The MA180021 implements the PIC18F87J50's integrated USB Serial Interface Engine (SIE), on-chip transceiver, and D+/D− impedance-matching resistors - enabling single-chip USB connectivity without external PHY. Its 12 MHz crystal feeds the internal 96 MHz PLL, which generates the required 48 MHz USB clock.

Hardware configuration includes jumpers JP4 (VBUS current measurement) and JP5 (USB pull-up enable), plus push buttons S4 (firmware stop) and MCLR (reset). Power is derived either from USB bus (5 V → 3.3 V LDO) or back-fed from the HPC Explorer board via automatic 5 V → 3.3 V regulation adjustment.

Key Specifications

Availability

MA180021 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for USB HID prototyping, embedded firmware validation, and full-speed USB compliance testing requiring stable component supply and traceable evaluation hardware.

Supply support for MA180021 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 is a U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in microcontrollers, analog, interface, and memory products, certified to ISO/TS-16949:2002 and ISO 9001:2000.

The MA180021 belongs to Microchip's PICDEM™ FS USB evaluation platform family, designed to accelerate USB 2.0 full-speed firmware development, driver integration, and interoperability testing for embedded peripherals.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the MA180021?

The MA180021 is a plug-in module evaluation board for the PIC18F87J50 microcontroller. It provides a ready-to-run hardware platform with preprogrammed HID mouse firmware, enabling immediate USB enumeration and demonstration without code development. The MA180021 supports both stand-alone operation and integration with the HPC Explorer board for expanded debugging and peripheral interfacing.

Does the MA180021 require external power or is it bus-powered?

The MA180021 is fully bus-powered via its USB mini-B connector. It incorporates the TC1108-3.3VDB low-quiescent-current LDO regulator to convert USB-supplied 5 V to stable 3.3 V for the PIC18F87J50 and onboard circuitry. When used with the HPC Explorer board, it can also receive regulated 3.3 V power from that board - no external power supply or soldering is needed for either configuration.

How is USB enumeration achieved on the MA180021?

USB enumeration on the MA180021 is handled by the preloaded HID mouse firmware running on the PIC18F87J50. Upon connection to a Windows host, the device automatically enumerates as a standard Human Interface Device using Microsoft's built-in HID class driver. JP5 must be installed to enable the internal USB pull-up resistor on D+, and JP4 must be in place to provide VBUS power to the board's regulator and MCU.

Can the firmware on the MA180021 be reprogrammed, and how?

Yes, the PIC18F87J50 on the MA180021 supports over 10,000 erase/write cycles and is reprogrammable via the 6-pin ICSP™ header (J5). It is compatible with Microchip's MPLAB ICD 2 and REAL ICE in-circuit emulators. When mounted on the HPC Explorer board, programming and debugging occur through the board's RJ11 programming jack; when used stand-alone, an AC164110 adapter (RJ11-to-ICSP) is required.

What are the key hardware jumpers on the MA180021 and their functions?

The MA180021 includes three key jumpers: JP1 enables oscillator output to test points; JP4 places the VBUS line in series for current measurement (removing the cap inserts a meter); JP5 connects the internal 1.5 kΩ pull-up resistor to D+, enabling USB device detection. JP4 and JP5 must both be installed for default HID operation - omission prevents enumeration or power delivery.