Sliver - HavenTechnik

Document Information

Document Title	Product Review: A closer look at Sliver
Document Number & Revision	402 - 0004 - 1.0
Release Date	June 11, 2021
Documente Status	Original Document, no ammendments
Where to buy	Online Store Contact Us Product Catalogue About Us Bid Or Buy (SA only)

Lead in

Sliver is a series of rapid prototyping PCBS which cater to small package PICs to aid in rapid POC development.

NOTE: Sliver XX is part of a larger family and series of products SliverXX, and Sliver MQ Tester

Introduction

Sliver is a series of development PCBs that combine convenience and practicalty into a single slimline form factor. Starting with the 20 PIN Devices, Sliver supports a number of 16F and 18F devices from different families that share a similar pinout. 20 PIN Devices offer two additional I/O over 18 PIN Devices and with many of the newer 20 PIN devices available, IOT project scope has opened up of smaller package devices.

^{NOTE: The feaures below are a subset, please refer to the Microchip datasheet for more details.}

The Feature Set

Dual Power Supplies
1. 5V0 LDO Voltage Regulator
2. USB Powered
Serial Communications
1. PCB Connector: USB, Type B (Printer USB Cable)
2. USB ->USART bridge: MCP2221
3. Jumper selection interupts USART Interface
4. Supports Bootloader (Device dependant)
Programming Methods
1. ICSP interface, compatible with PICKIT 3 & PICKIT 4
2. Bootloader
  1. Uses USB to USART interface
  2. NOTE: Device Dependant
Software
1. Mikroe Compiler or other suitable type
2. Any Microchip compatiable software with produces a hex file
Hardware
1. The PIC is supported by a robust platform.
2. I/O are tracked to peripherals for ease of use.

Down to Code

Shown below is a simple code sample for a Hello World project example. The code demonstrates how to configure the PIC, initialise the UART and respond to incoming coms.


               /*
                  #Sliver with PIC16F1509
                */

                char UartVal;

                void SetUpDevice(){
                     ANSELA=0x0;        //Set all analogs off
                     ANSELB=0x0;       //Set all analogs off     
                     C1ON_bit = 0;     // Disable comparators
                     C2ON_bit = 0;     // 
                     UART1_Init(9600); //Initialise UART
                     Delay_MS(100);
                }

                void main() {
                     SetupDevice();
                     while(1){
                              if(Uart1_Data_Ready()){   //Bounces recieved character
                              UartVal = Uart1_Read();
                              Uart1_Write(UartVal);
                              }
                     Delay_MS(500);
                     }
                }

Why use Sliver. . .

Sliver utilizes Microchip's powerfull, energy efficient and extensbible devices. Selecting one of the devices, enable a power up and play solution capable of running from a USB cable. The Device itself offers many itegrated peripherals namely: USART, I2C, SPI, PWM, CCP timers and so on. That's allot of techno jargon, but it equates to a compact purchase with many open doors for ongoing development; the device will allow you to grow your project to its full potential.