Microchip Technology AC164143 Data Sheet

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  02/18/11

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DS51977A

*DS51977A*

The MRF24J40MC PICtail™/PICtail Plus Daughter Board is a demonstration and development
daughter board for the MRF24J40MC 2.4 GHz IEEE Std. 802.15.4 RF Transceiver Module with
PA/LNA and External Antenna Connector (AC164143).
The daughter board can be plugged into multiple Microchip Technology demonstration and
development boards. For example, the daughter board is appropriate for 8-bit microcontroller
development using the PIC18 Explorer Board (DM183032) or for 16-bit and 32-bit microcontroller
development using the Explorer 16 Development Board (DM240001).

The MRF24J40MC PICtail™/PICtail Plus Daughter Board User’s Guide (70660A) is available
for download at 

http://www.microchip.com/wireless

. The User’s Guide contains detailed information

on the features, operation, schematics and the Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

Sample source code is available at the Microchip Wireless Development Environment: Microchip
Wireless Media Access Controller (MiMAC) and Microchip Wireless Application Programming
Interface (MiApp), as described in Application Notes AN1283 and AN1284. A Quick Start Guide is
included in the software installation package that explains the installation and operation of the
demonstration program. The Quick Start Guide is available for download from the Microchip web
site 

http://www.microchip.com/wireless

.

The MRF24J40 Radio Utility Driver Program provides design engineers a development and testing
utility program that operates on the PIC18 Explorer Board (DM183032) and for 16-bit and 32-bit
microcontroller development using the Explorer 16 Development Board (DM240001). The program
is available for download from the Microchip web site 

http://www.microchip.com/wireless

, and

detailed information is given in the Application Note AN1192.

Programming and configuration options for the MRF24J40MC transceiver modules are provided
in the MRF24J40 IEEE Std 802.15.4 2.4 GHz RF Transceiver Data Sheet (DS39776). Sample
source code is the best place to start. Refer to the compile options when enabling the
MRF24J40MC transceiver modules.

Power Disconnect/Current Measure jumpers (JP1/JP2) – Two 2-pin headers are connected in

parallel. A shunt on one of the two headers connects power to the MRF24J40MC module. A

current meter can be placed on the open header and when the shunt is removed from the

opposite header, current consumption can be measured without interrupting power. A useful

cable that can be connected to the 2-pin header and current meter, using banana plugs, is the

XLP Current Measurement Cable (AC002023).

INT2 Jumper (JP3) – For the PIC18 Explorer Board, jumpering JP3 with a shunt allows the

connection of RA5 to RB2/INT2 and enables push-button switch S2 to trigger an interrupt.

The MRF24J40MC module contains a power amplifier (PA) and low noise amplifier (LNA). It is impor-
tant that the MRF24J40 be configured to control the PA and LNA. Refer to Section 4.2 External PA/
LNA Control in the MRF24J40 IEEE 802.15.4 2.4 GHz RF Transceiver Data Sheet (DS39776). 
When using the sample source code, refer to the compile options to enable the PA and LNA.

Voltage and current to the MRF24J40MC PICtail™/PICtail Plus Daughter Board should be in the 
range of 2.7V – 3.6V and capable of supplying 120 mA. Ensure that the daughter board is plugged 
into a development/demonstration board that meets this power requirement; otherwise, damage to 
the MRF24J40 may occur.