Powerlite Systems FLASH Lab pic development system

The FLASH Lab development system is programmed and verified over a serial connection connected to a PC or laptop. This process does not require the use of a hardware programmer. Instead, the FLASH Lab can program itself using the included MicroCode Loader software developed by Mecanique.

MicroCode Loader accepts a standard *.hex file as generated by most PIC compilers, including MPLAB

The MicroCode Loader programming software will run on various operating systems including Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP. The software is simple and intuitive to use, with drop-down menus for selecting various options, as shown in Figure 1 above.

Programming the FLASH Lab is incredibly easy. First, you must connect the FLASH Lab system to your serial port, and switch the power on. The green LED power indicator on the FLASH Lab should now be on. Next, start the MicroCode Loader programming software.

The hardware consists of two parts. The FLASH Lab main board holds a socketed high performance 40 pin PIC microcontroller pre-programmed with bootloader software, 20MHz crystal, an RS232 interface and all other necessary hardware including an onboard 5V regulator. The FLASH Lab proto board is an unpopulated matrix board for inclusion of custom specific circuitry. Both boards carry a gold plated 40 pin PC104 stackthrough connector which enables the interconnection of all the PIC microcontroller I/O between the main board and any number of stacked prototype boards. Spacers are provided to enable the a solid stack assembly to be constructed which can be used for experimentation and as a finished working project.

Feature Summary

Rapid PC104 style prototyping with plug and play modular architecture
Does not require a programmer. Send your compiled PICmicro® hex file via a serial cable connected to your PC. Will work with any compiler or assembler that generates standard *.hex files.
Includes software to program your application over a serial connection
Includes incredibly powerful 16F877A or 18F452 processor
MAX233 serial interface
3-pin header for direct access to serial port DTR, TX and RX signals
Auto-reset enable/disable jumper for boot-loader programming
Gold contacts on pass-through I/O connections for superior electrical contacts
Header posts for connecting any I/O-pin to direct/buffered RS-232 signals

Terminal strip breadboards can also be mounted on top of the prototype board or on the bench for quick circuit design and testing. Finished circuits can then be constructed directly on the modular, stackable prototype boards. With FLASH Lab you can spend more time writing code for your hardware than trying to connect it.