Microchip announces the Microstick for dsPIC33F and PIC24H development board, which provides a complete solution for designing with Microchip’s 16-bit PIC24H microcontrollers and dsPIC33F Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs), in a compact 20x76 mm footprint. At the cost of $24.99, the Microstick offers an integrated USB programmer/debugger, which shortens learning curves. For maximum flexibility, the Microstick can be used stand-alone or plugged into a prototyping board.

Additionally, educational establishments are eligible for a 25% discount. Many engineers, educational establishments, students and hobbyists need a low-cost solution for working with and debugging code on 16-bit microcontrollers and DSCs. In addition the Microstick is populated with a socketed microcontroller that can be swapped out. The Microstick works with the PIC24HJ64GP502, and the dsPIC33FJ64MC802 DSC, which seamlessly blends DSP and MCU resources into a single architecture.

Software support includes the same free MPLAB IDE and software libraries that work with all of Microchip’s 8/16/32-bit PIC microcontrollers and DSCs. Additionally, the dsPIC33F DSCs are supported by the free demo version of Microchip’s Device Blocksets for the MATLAB language and Simulink environment, which work seamlessly within the MPLAB IDE.

The Microstick for dsPIC33F and PIC24H (DM330013) is available for $24.99. The dsPIC33FJ64MC802 DSC and PIC24HJ64GP502 microcontroller are both included in the kit. Educational establishments are eligible for a 25% discount.