Microchip Technology MA180024

Overview

MA180024 from Microchip Technology is the PIC18F46J50 Full-Speed USB Demonstration Board - a compact, preprogrammed evaluation platform for the PIC18F46J50 48 MHz USB microcontroller. It integrates a TC1108-3.3V LDO regulator, 12 MHz crystal, MCP9701A temperature sensor, dual red LEDs (RE0/RE1), push buttons (MCLR and RB2), ICSP header (J4), mini-B USB connector, and configurable jumpers (JP2, JP3) for USB_ATTACH sensing and current measurement.

For engineers reviewing the MA180024 datasheet, MA180024 pinout, MA180024 application, or MA180024 equivalent, this board supports rapid validation of USB HID+MSD composite class firmware, bootloader-based field updates, low-power suspend behavior per USB 2.0 spec, and integration with PIC18 Explorer or PICDEM™ HPC Explorer boards via PICtail™ interface.

Technical Context

The MA180024 implements a complete USB 2.0 full-speed (12 Mbps) peripheral reference design using the on-chip USB SIE, transceiver, and pull-up resistors of the PIC18F46J50. It supports all four transfer types (control, interrupt, bulk, isochronous), up to 32 endpoints, and 3.8 KB dual-access RAM shared between USB and general-purpose use.

Hardware-level power management includes VBUS monitoring via JP2 (R–U position), automatic low-power suspend detection using UIR<4> (IDLEIF) and UIR<2> (ACTVIF), and bus-powered operation compliant with ≤2.5 mA suspend current. The board enables direct firmware loading via its built-in HID-class USB bootloader without external programmers.

Key Specifications

Availability

MA180024 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for USB peripheral prototyping, embedded firmware validation, bootloader development, and educational labs requiring stable component supply and documented Microchip reference hardware.

Supply support for MA180024 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, and interface products, certified to ISO/TS-16949:2002 and ISO 9001:2000 for design and manufacturing.

The MA180024 belongs to Microchip's PICDEM™ family of demonstration boards, designed specifically to accelerate USB 2.0 full-speed peripheral development for PIC18F J-series MCUs with integrated USB modules.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the MA180024 demonstration board?

The MA180024 demonstration board is a ready-to-use evaluation platform for the PIC18F46J50 microcontroller, enabling immediate testing of USB 2.0 full-speed peripheral functionality. It ships preprogrammed with composite HID+MSD firmware and a USB HID bootloader, allowing engineers to validate device enumeration, data transfer, and field-upgrade workflows without writing initial firmware. Its hardware - including the TC1108-3.3V regulator, 12 MHz crystal, and MCP9701A sensor - reflects real-world USB peripheral implementation constraints and capabilities.

Does the MA180024 support USB suspend mode verification?

Yes, the MA180024 supports full USB 2.0 suspend/resume validation. It uses the PIC18F46J50's IDLEIF and ACTVIF interrupts to detect bus inactivity and host wake-up events. The board's design ensures compliance with the ≤2.5 mA suspend current requirement by minimizing quiescent loads on VBUS and enabling firmware-controlled entry into low-power states. JP3 allows direct current measurement during suspend, and JP2 (R–U) enables VBUS monitoring to gate USB module initialization - critical for self-powered configurations.

How is firmware updated on the MA180024 without an external programmer?

Firmware on the MA180024 is updated via its built-in HID-class USB bootloader. To activate it, hold push button S2 (RB2) and momentarily press MCLR. Upon reset, the PIC18F46J50 checks RB2 and enters bootloader mode if asserted, exposing a USB HID interface that accepts standard Intel HEX files. This eliminates dependency on ICSP hardware during development and enables end-user firmware updates directly over the mini-B USB connection - a key capability demonstrated out-of-box with the MA180024.

Can the MA180024 be used with other Microchip development boards?

Yes, the MA180024 is mechanically and electrically compatible with both the PIC18 Explorer Board and PICDEM™ HPC Explorer Board. When plugged in, it gains access to UART level shifters, RS-232 connectors, eight additional LEDs, a potentiometer, and a full-size RJ-11 programming jack. The board's PIC/ICE slider switch must be set to "ICE" to prevent I/O contention with the host board's PIC18F8722. This expansion capability extends the MA180024's utility beyond standalone USB testing into mixed-signal and serial communication scenarios.

What documentation and software resources accompany the MA180024?

The MA180024 ships with the PICDEM™ Starter Kit CD-ROM containing the DS51806A User's Guide, MCHPFSUSB Framework (with source code for HID+MSD, CDC, and custom class demos), PC application projects, Windows drivers, and USB-specific application notes. All firmware is compatible with MPLAB® IDE and the free Microchip USB Design Center downloads at www.microchip.com/usb. Schematics are provided in Appendix B of DS51806A, and supplemental documents include DS39931 (PIC18F46J50 Data Sheet) and DS51721 (PIC18 Explorer Guide).