MPLAB® Development Ecosystem for MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) Melody

MPLAB Software Components

When developing a microcontroller (MCU) application there are many software and hardware tool options. Microchip offers both hardware and software tools for developing PIC^® family MCU-based applications. MPLAB^® X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is the main software tool and there are various hardware options for programming and debugging the application circuitry.

MPLAB X IDE

The IDE provides a user-friendly interface for you to write, compile, debug, and program microcontroller firmware. It's available for Windows^®, macOS^®, and Linux platforms. There is also a Plug-in Manager built into the IDE to assist you in installing, updating, and removing various MPLAB X IDE plug-ins which expand the capabilities of the IDE. MPLAB X IDE can be downloaded for free from the Microchip website.

MPLAB XC Compilers

Microchip also provides a suite of C compilers including the MPLAB XC8 compiler for 8-bit devices, MPLAB XC16 for 16-bit MCU devices, MPLAB XC-DSC for dsPIC^® digital signal controller (DSC) devices, and MPLAB XC32 for 32-bit devices. These are installed separately from MPLAB X IDE. This training will use the MPLAB XC8 compiler for our application development. You can select a specific version and configure specific compiler options from within the MPLAB X IDE.

MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC)

MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) is a free graphical programming environment that generates easy-to-understand C code to insert into your project. It consists of three embedded software development frameworks: 

• MCC Melody (8-bit PIC and AVR^® and 16-bit dsPIC)
• MCC Classic (16-bit PIC24)
• MPLAB Harmony (32-bit PIC and SAM)

This training will focus on getting started with the MCC Melody tool.

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MPLAB Hardware Components

Microchip has a variety of ways to program and debug our microcontrollers.

• Programmers and Debuggers
• Development Boards 

The following are just a few options.

MPLAB PICkit^™ 5

The MPLAB PICkit™ 5 in-circuit debugger/programmer enables quick prototyping and portable, production-ready programming for all Microchip devices and is controlled directly from the MPLAB X IDE.

The PICkit 5 requires a USB port on a laptop or desktop computer to communicate with MPLAB X IDE and a 6-pin connection to the development circuitry to perform programming and debugging.

The PICkit 5 is also portable and can be powered from any USB type of power supply and controlled thru a Bluetooth connection from a mobile device. Programming files are stored on the internal SD card.

MPLAB ICD 5

The MPLAB ICD 5 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer is perfect for lab-based development. It offers advanced debugging capability and power options such as support for Fast Ethernet connectivity and Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+). The MPLAB ICD 5 Debugger/Programmer can also operate isolated remotely when applications require custom environmental chamber testing.

On-board Programmers/Debuggers

The simplest and least expensive option is to use a Curiosity Nano board for the device being developed. It has the surface mounted MCU, a power indicator LED and a second LED plus momentary switch for simple applications.

The Curiosity Nano board has a built-in programmer/debugger and connects to the MCU thru the curiosity circuit board. MPLAB X IDE can control it through a micro-USB connector.

Now that many of the popular options for hardware and software tools have been introduced, this training will use the MPLAB X IDE, MPLAB XC8 compiler, MCC Melody plug-in and a PIC18F56Q71 MCU Curiosity Nano board for all the application examples.