ZarDynamix offers Microchip PIC Embedded Design tools for the hobbyist and professional. The products are quality manufactured and designed with the intention of enabling system design that is easy and effective. The...
ZarDynamix offers Microchip PIC Embedded Design tools for the hobbyist and professional. The products are quality manufactured and designed with the intention of enabling system design that is easy and effective.
The ProtoPro Series of products is designed to develop new products and systems rapidly. The system includes the most common and useful tracked in circuitry that enables the developer to focus on writing the application rather than be sidetracked by hardware issues.
ZarDynamix is a South African maker of PIC development and prototyping boards for Microchip 8-bit PIC microcontrollers. The range in this catalogue is the ProtoPro bare and assembled prototyping boards for 18, 20, 28 and 40-pin PICs, and the ProtoDev-DX development board for PIC16Fxx and PIC18Fxx devices, which adds ICSP programming, a USB-to-serial link, switches and LEDs. ZarDynamix describes itself as a source of PIC development products for the professional hobbyist.
You write and build the firmware in Microchip's MPLAB X IDE with an MPLAB XC8 compiler, then programme the PIC in-circuit through an ICSP programmer connected to the board. The ProtoDev-DX is supplied assembled with the programming header, two LEDs, two push buttons, a reset button, a watch crystal and an FTDI USB-to-serial link already fitted. The PIC itself is sold separately.
In-circuit serial programming (ICSP) lets you load firmware into a PIC that is already soldered into its board, using five signals: MCLR/VPP, VDD, VSS, PGD and PGC. A PICkit-style programmer presents them on a 6-pin connector, with pin 1 as MCLR/VPP and pin 6 not used for programming. The ProtoDev-DX is described as programmable through an ICSP or ICD compatible socket or header, so no PIC removal is needed between builds.
| Model | Target PIC | Supplied with | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProtoDev-DX-ASY | 28 and 40-pin DIP PIC16Fxx and PIC18Fxx, F and J types | Assembled board, PIC sold separately | ICSP/ICD header, 3.3 V and 5 V supplies, FTDI USB serial, 2 push buttons, 2 LEDs, reset, watch crystal, prototyping area |
| ProtoPro-18-ASY | 18-pin PIC | Assembled; 16F627 may be fitted as an option | 100 mm x 80 mm board |
| ProtoPro-20-ASY | 8, 14 and 20-pin PIC | Assembled with PIC16F690 | 100 mm x 80 mm board |
| ProtoPro-28-ASY | 28-pin PIC | Assembled with PIC16F882 | 100 mm x 80 mm board |
| ProtoPro-40-ASY | 40-pin PIC | Assembled; see product page for the fitted PIC | 100 mm x 80 mm board |
Each ProtoPro size is also sold as an unpopulated board: ProtoPro-18 Bare, ProtoPro-20 Bare, ProtoPro-28 Bare and ProtoPro-40 Bare. Bare and assembled ProtoPro boards are silk-screened, tin immersed and through-hole plated, and quantity discounts are available.
Microchip's MPLAB X IDE is free to download and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux; the MPLAB XC8 compiler builds C for 8-bit PIC devices. You also need an ICSP programmer such as a PICkit. Programmers are not part of this collection; ask our engineers if you need one.
The ProtoDev-DX supports standard F and J type PIC devices in the PIC16Fxx and PIC18Fxx families. The PIC is not supplied, so choose a device that suits your project.
The ProtoDev-DX has an ICSP and ICD compatible header, so you connect an ICSP programmer such as a PICkit and download from MPLAB X. Check the programmer's documentation for supply voltage and pin order.
ASY boards are supplied assembled, some with a PIC fitted, for example the ProtoPro-28-ASY with a PIC16F882. Bare boards, such as the ProtoPro-28 Bare, are unpopulated.
Match the board to your PIC's pin count: the ProtoPro-20 for 8, 14 and 20-pin devices, the ProtoPro-28 for 28-pin devices and the ProtoPro-40 for 40-pin devices. The ProtoPro-18 is the 18-pin version.
Yes, on the ProtoDev-DX. It has FTDI USB-to-RS232 emulation through a mini USB connector, so a terminal program on the PC can exchange serial data with the PIC.
Stock is limited. The product pages state that once current stock is sold the products will no longer be available, so check the product page for current availability.
Source: ZarDynamix product documentation and Microchip MPLAB documentation. Need help choosing a model? Ask our engineers.
