Microchip Launches Free, Cloud-based Development Platform; Provides Easiest Way to Get Started With PIC® MCUs

MPLAB Xpress can be accessed from anywhere in the world athttps://www.microchip.com/Xpress-021516a.  A free MPLAB Xpress Evaluation Board (limited quantities available) can be obtained by filling out the form athttps://www.microchip.com/Xpress-021516a, or by visiting Microchip’s Embedded World booth (Hall 1: Booth 1-510).  A brief presentation is also available at https://www.microchip.com/Presentation-021516a.

Cloud-based hardware development is supported by connecting any USB-enabled PC, laptop or tablet to tools such as the MPLAB Xpress Evaluation Board.  This development board features an integrated programmer, a PIC16F18855 MCU and a mikroBUS™ header for system expansion with MikroElektronika’s more than 180 Click™ boards.  The MPLAB Xpress IDE also supports Microchip’s Curiosity Development Board, a cost-effective tool with integrated programmer and debugger, as well as expansion options for add-on boards and external connectivity.  Additionally, this online IDE can be used with Microchip’s popular PICkit™ 3 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer, which provides programming and debugging capabilities for over 1,000 PIC MCUs.

“While it’s always been easy to develop with PIC MCUs using the free MPLAB X IDE, the Web-based MPLAB Xpress reduces the installation time to zero while enabling users to build an entire application within minutes,” said Derek Carlson, Microchip’s vice president of Development Tools.  “Users can open a browser, quickly generate code via the integrated MPLAB Code Configurator which integrates with MPLAB Xpress—a feature not available with any other cloud-based IDE—test that code with the included simulator, compile the code, then program and debug their target MCU.”

The MPLAB Xpress Community allows users to get their project started quickly, solve problems, and inspire others by sharing ideas and knowledge.  The “Examples” section provides easy, searchable access to MCU code developed and validated by Microchip engineers, such as setup, basic functions and advanced projects.  Designers can add to this knowledge base by making any of their stored projects accessible to the rest of the user community.  To facilitate further discussion and collaboration, a dedicated MPLAB Xpress User Forum and Wiki are also available.

Availability

MPLAB Xpress can be accessed from anywhere in the world at https://www.microchip.com/Xpress-021516a, along with short getting-started and application demo videos.  The free MPLAB Xpress Evaluation Board (limited quantities available) can be obtained by filling out the form at https://www.microchip.com/Xpress-021516a, or by visiting Microchip’s Embedded World booth (Hall 1: Booth 1-510).  A brief presentation is also available at https://www.microchip.com/Presentation-021516a.

For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Web site at https://www.microchip.com/Homepage-021516a.