Microcontroller Kit : Selection Guide & Manufacturers

A microcontroller kit is a development platform that includes a microcontroller board, programming tools, interfaces, and software resources for embedded system design. These kits help engineers, students, and developers prototype applications in automation, robotics, IoT, consumer electronics, industrial control, and communication systems.

Microcontroller Kit Vendors

Here’s a rundown of prominent microcontroller kit manufacturers:

Microchip

• Product: PICkit™ 2 Starter Kit
• Part No: DV164121
• Description: This evaluation kit includes a hardware board, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE), and a device programmer. It also comes with CDs containing user manuals.
• Website: www.microchip.com

Renesas Electronics Corporation

Renesas offers a diverse range of microcontrollers and microprocessors:

• RL78 Family: 16-bit CISC architecture-based MCUs.
• RX Family: 32-bit microcontrollers.
• RZ Family: ARM-based MPUs.
• RH850 Family: Microcontrollers optimized for automotive applications.

For detailed specifications, visit Renesas’s documentation on microcontrollers and microprocessors.

ATMEL (now part of Microchip)

• Product: STK500
• Description: A development kit designed for Atmel AVR series flash microcontrollers. Programming is facilitated via an RS232 cable. The kit supports various 8-bit devices from the AVR microcontroller family.
• Website: www.atmel.com

NXP (formerly Philips Semiconductor)

• Product: PISP2.2
• Description: A microcontroller development kit tailored for 8051 Flash microcontrollers from NXP. The starter kit encompasses a hardware board, flash programming utility, and a user manual.
• Website: www.nxp.com

TI-Texas Instruments

• Product: EZ430
• Description: A microcontroller kit specifically for the MSP430 microcontroller. The starter kit includes a target board, programmer, and IDE development application.
• Website: www.ti.com

Analog Devices

• Product: ADUC847 Kit
• Description: Designed for evaluating the ADUC847 flash MCU.
• Website: www.analog.com

Summary

A microcontroller kit provides hardware and software tools for embedded system development and prototyping. Manufacturers offer kits for IoT, robotics, automation, industrial control, and educational applications.