Cerebot MC7™ Board Reference Manual
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The Cerebot MC7 can be used with the Microchip MPLAB development environment. In-system-programming and
debugging of firmware running on the dsPIC33 microcontroller is supported using an on-board program/debug
circuit licensed from Microchip.
The Cerebot MC7 features a flexible power supply system with a number of options for powering the board as well
as powering peripheral devices connected to the board. It can be USB powered via the debug USB port, or it can
be powered from an external power supply or batteries.
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Programming and Debugging Using MPLAB IDE
The Cerebot MC7 board is intended to be used with the Microchip MPLAB
®
IDE and the Microchip C30 C compiler
for dsPIC for firmware development, programming and in-system debugging.
In system programming and debuggin is accomplished using a programmer/debugger circuit licensed from
Microchip. Either MPLAB version 8.63 or later or MPLAB-X is required for its operation. The licensed debugger is
accessed via USB, using connector J13. This connector is a micro-USB connector on the upper left corner of the
board. The provided USB cable should be connected from J13 to a USB port on the development PC for access to
the board.
When creating a new project, use the Configure.Select Device menu to specify the dsPIC device in use. Ensure that
the device is set to dsPIC33FJ128MC706A.
To use the on-board programming/debugging circuit it must be selected as the debugger or programmer. Use the
Debugger.Select Tool menu, or the Programmer.Select Tool menu, and select “Licensed Debugger” as the
programmer or debugger.
The dsPIC microcontroller used on the Cerebot MC7 uses a two wire interface for in-system programming and
debugging. There are three alternative pairs of pins that can be used for this purpose. The Cerebot MC7 is
designed to use signal pair 1, PGEC1/PGED1, for the connection to the licensed debug circuit. This selection is
controlled by configuration bits programmed when a firmware image is programmed into the board. This is
selected using configuration macros provided with the Microchip C30 compiler. A statement similar to this should
appear in the main program module of the project:
/* Use PGC1/PGD1 for programming and debugging
*/
_FICD(ICS_PGD1 & JTAGEN_OFF);
Refer to the dsPIC device data sheet, the appropriate section of the dsPIC33F Family Reference Manual and the
C30 compiler documentation for more information.
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Board Power Supply
Switch SW1, in the lower left corner of the board is the power switch. Place this switch in the ON position to turn
on board power and in the OFF position to turn off board power.
The Cerebot MC7 board has three power supplies. One power supply is used to regulate power for the main
circuitry on the Cerebot MC7 board. This supply provides power to the 5V peripherals on the board, such as the
