P-Star 45K50 Mini SV

The Pololu P-Star 45K50 Mini SV is a general-purpose programmable module based on Microchip’s PIC18F45K50 microcontroller, which has 32 KB of flash program memory, 2 KB of RAM, and built-in USB functionality. On-board features of the P-Star (abbreviated P*) include a 16 MHz crystal, a USB Micro-B connector, and three user-controllable indicator LEDs. A switching step-down voltage regulator and power selection circuit allow the board to be powered from either USB or an external 5 V to 36 V source, while a current limit on the USB VBUS supply and reverse protection on VIN help protect it from accidental damage. The board ships with a USB bootloader that makes it easy to program the PIC microcontroller without using an external programmer.

Our comprehensive user’s guide provides the basics you need to get started with the P-Star as well as detailed technical information.

This product requires a USB A to Micro-B cable (not included) to connect to a computer.

P-Star 45K50 Mini SV dimensions, with U.S. quarter for size reference.

Features

• Dimensions: 2" x 0.7" (2.05" x 0.7" including USB Micro-B connector)

• Programmable Microchip PIC18F45K50 microcontroller

○ 32 KB flash (8 KB used by bootloader, leaving 24 KB available for user program by default)

○ 2 KB SRAM

○ 256 bytes of EEPROM

○ Native full-speed USB (12 Mbps)

• Internally clocked at 48 MHz, resulting in execution speeds up to 12 million instructions per second (MIPS)

• Precision 16 MHz crystal

• 30 I/O lines in a small package

○ 28 user I/O pins on the two long sides of the board

○ 2 additional I/O pins available in other locations

○ 25 pins can be configured as analog inputs

○ 2 PWM output signals (one of which can be sent to four different pins)

○ 5-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) output

• Three user-controllable LEDs

• Reset button

• USB Micro-B connector

• Can be powered from USB or external source regulated to 5 V by onboard regulator

• Operating voltage: 5 V to 36 V

• 5 V logic voltage

• Auxiliary 3.3 V linear regulator

• Reverse-voltage protection on external power input

• Ships with a proprietary USB bootloader developed by Pololu for the P-Star

• Bootloader is usable from Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X with open source software

• No external programmer required

• Compatible with standard Microchip compilers, development tools, and programmers

• Comprehensive user’s guide

P-Star 45K50 Mini SV, top view.

P-Star 45K50 Mini SV pinout diagram.

P-Star 25K50 Micro (top) and P-Star 45K50 Mini SV (bottom).