Digilent 6021-210-000P-KIT - Manual (Page 6)

Universal Development Board™ Reference Manual
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Page 6 of 27
2 USB to UART Serial Converter
The MCP2200 is a USB-to-UART serial converter which enables USB connectivity in applications that have a UART
interface. The serial signals USB-RXD, USB-TXD, USB-CTS, and USB-RTS are available at connector J22, to the right
of USB connector J23. The signal names are labeled on the board. Jumper wires can be used to connect the serial
interface signals to locations on either the DIP bus or the PIM bus to allow access to the serial interface from a
microcontroller in the PIM socket, any of the DIP sockets, or the on-board PIC32MX360.
In order to use the MCP2200 USB serial converter, it is necessary for the appropriate drivers to be installed on the
host computer. The necessary drivers as well as a configuration utility and other support software can be
downloaded from the MCP2200 product page on the Microchip web site.
Jumper JP10, labeled UART USB RESET on the board, can be used to hold the MCP2200 in reset. Placing a shorting
block on JP10 will cause the MCP2200 to be held in reset. This can be useful when using a USB port to power the
board and the serial interface isn’t being used. Normally, when the USB cable is connected to a PC, the MCP2200
will be enumerated on the USB bus and the host computer will expect the MCP2200 driver to be loaded. Use of
this jumper allows the board to be USB powered without the need for the MCP2200 driver to be installed.
The MCP2200 also has 256-bytes of integrated user EEPROM. There are two LEDs connected to the USB-to-UART
serial converter, LD12 which turns on during a transmit process and LD13 which turns on during a receive process.
Refer to the Microchip data sheet for the MCP2200 for more detailed information about the operation of the USB
serial converter circuit.
3 PIM Module
The UDB was designed with the ability to use detachable PIM processor modules. It will work with 16-bit (PIC24
and dsPIC33) PIMs as well as 32-bit (PIC32) PIMs compatible with the Microchip Explorer 16 development board.
PIM processor modules are installed onto the pattern of vertical pins at the location labeled PIM Socket on the
board. PIMs are visually indexed for proper orientation. The PIM is always installed with the notched corner mark
to the upper left. When installing or removing a PIM module, use care to ensure that the pins of the PIM connector
socket properly seat into the socket on the PIM and take care to not bend the pins of the PIM socket pattern on
the board.
Jumper JP9, labeled PIM Current on the board, can be used to measure the power supply current being consumed
by the PIM module. To measure PIM current, remove the shorting block from JP9 and attach an ammeter in series
between the two pins of JP9. When using a PIM module and not measuring current consumption of the PIM,
ensure that the shorting block is installed on JP9. The PIM will not receive power if the shorting block is not
installed.
The jumper at JP2 is used to enable or disable the on-board PIC32MX360 microcontroller. When using a PIM,
ensure that the shorting block is removed from JP2. This will cause the on-board PIC32MX360 to be held in reset. If
the shorting block is not removed, the signals from the on-board PIC32MX360 will interfere with signals from the
processor in the PIM, causing erratic operation, and possibly damaging one or both processors.
The combination of the on-board PIC32MX360 and the ability to use PIM processor allows the UDB to support
most 3V, 16-bit and 32-bit PIC and dsPIC® microcontrollers.
When using PIM modules with the UDB board, refer to the Microchip information sheet for the PIM being used for
any necessary information about how the microcontroller signals are connected to the PIM Socket pin positions.