Making a PIC18F4550 Learning Board

Overview

PIC18F4550 is an 8-bit micro-controller from Microchip. In the PIC18 series, it has a built-in USB communication module inside. In prototyping we usually built the circuit on a bread board with some jumper wire. It usually cause damage to the device when we wrongly connect the circuit.

PIC18F4550 in DIP package I posses. 

Using a per-soldered board most of prototyping is safer and more reliable. Some ready made learning board could be found on E bay or  Amazon below 10 US Dollars.

PCB Project Design And Make

However, we can build our own learning board at home using a dozen of existing components. I made a simple learning board by myself at free time. The design fits any 40-pin 8-bit PIC device. But I tend to use PIC18F4550 with a USB type-B connector on board.

 

A Completed Assembling

 

Bottom side

These are some building block of the board:

1. A +12 V to +5 V DC regulated power supply
2. A soldered crystal clock and reset circuit
3. A 6-pin ICSP connector for downloading the program
4. A USB type-B connector
5. A DIP switch connected to PORTB
6. An 8-bit LED connected to PORTD
7. Six POTs  connected to analog input pins RA0 to RA5

I have already test the functionalities of this board and it's fully worked.

The overall schematic and PCB design are made using Proteus 8.

Schematic Diagram

Copper Side

Components Side

 

Design file could be download here.

PIC18F4550 Tutorials In CCS PICC

1. Start To Blink PIC18F4550 Using CCS PICC
2. PIC18F4550 Basic ADC Programming In CCS PICC
3. LED Bar Graph Voltage Level Indicator With PIC18F4550
4. PIC18F4550 LCD Interfacing in CCS PICC
5. PIC18F4550 ADC Reading And LCD Displaying With CCS PICC
6. PIC18F4550 interfaces to LM35 and LCD
7. CCS PICC basic PWM example with PIC18F4550
8. A simple DIY DC voltmeter with PIC18F4550
9. PIC18F4550 interfaces to DS1307 RTC and character LCD
10. Interfacing PIC18F4550 to 74HC595 CCS PICC