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Beginner Lab 2: Data Sheet Exploration and General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) Basics

Last modified by Microchip on 2026/06/26 07:34

Objective

  1. This laboratory exercise is designed to guide the process of using the data sheet and user guide to identify appropriate pins for various peripherals, including LEDs and Inter-Integrated Circuits (I2C) interfaces.
  2. A fundamental aspect of working with microcontrollers is the ability to effectively navigate and interpret the user guide.
  3. Mastery of this skill is essential for successful application development, accurate pin selection for design requirements, and proper microcontroller configuration to meet project specifications.

Overview

This laboratory exercise demonstrates the process of identifying and configuring appropriate microcontroller pins for peripheral integration, using the example of connecting an LED. The procedure involves referencing the user guide to determine the specific pin number designated for the LED function, followed by configuring the microcontroller to use that pin. The PIC32CM LS00 Curiosity Nano+ Touch Evaluation Kit microcontroller is used in this lab. Relevant user guide and data sheet links are provided within this manual for reference.

Lab Activities

  • Review the microcontroller data sheet and user guide to understand the available pinout and peripheral functions.
  • Refer to the Ordering Information section of the datasheet to identify the specific microcontroller variant, as well as its specifications and key features.
  • Cross reference the LED and I²C pin assignments using both the user guide and the datasheet.
  • Configure the LED and I²C pins in MPLAB® X IDE for the PIC32CM LS00 Curiosity Nano+ Touch Evaluation Kit.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of this lab, the following skills will be acquired:

  • Develop the ability to use information from the user guide to identify specific microcontrollers within a microcontroller family data sheet.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in navigating and interpreting microcontroller data sheets and user guide for accurate pin identification.
  • Select and configure the appropriate pins for LEDs and I²C peripherals based on project requirements.
  • Understand the differences between analog and digital pins in microcontrollers.

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