Microchip Technology MCP42XXDM-PTPLS Data Sheet

© 2008 Microchip Technology Inc.

DS51759A-page 5

The MCP42XX PICtail Plus Daughter Board demonstrates the features and abilities of 
Microchip’s MCP41XX and MCP42XX Digital Potentiometers. This board is designed 
to exclusively use the MCP42XX devices.

The MCP41XX and MCP42XX are Digital Potentiometers with an SPI interface. These 
devices have either 7-bits or 8-bits of resolution, single or dual offering, and are 
available as either volatile or non-volatile memory options.

This board is designed to easily operate with any of the following:

• PIC24 Explorer 16 Demo Board (DM240001)

• PICkit™ Serial Analyzer (DV164122)

• Other PICDEM Demo Board that includes a PICtail Plus female connector

The use of the PIC24 Explorer 16 Demo Board (DM240001) will require a tool to 
program the supplied firmware into the PIC24FJ128GA010 device. The use of any 
other PICDEM Demo Board will require the user to modify the supplied “C” source 
program appropriately. 

The use of the PICkit Serial Analyzer will require the PC GUI interface program to 
control the command and data sent to the MCP42XX devices serial port. The PICkit 
Serial Analyzer GUI may be used, or the provided dedicated GUI may be used. The 
source code for this dedicated GUI is available, but not supported (as is).

This chapter covers the following topics:

• What is the MCP42XX PICtail Plus Daughter Board?

• What the MCP42XX PICtail Plus Daughter Board Kit includes