Board Templates

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Overview

Board templates provide pre-configured Simulink models optimized for popular Microchip development boards. These templates include:

• Pre-configured Master block with correct chip selection and clock settings
• Peripheral blocks configured for board-specific hardware (PWM, ADC, UART, QEI, etc.)
• Pin assignments matching the physical board layout
• Example algorithms demonstrating typical use cases (motor control, sensor interfaces)
• Validated configurations tested on actual hardware

Why Use Board Templates?

Available Board Templates

MCLV-2 (Motor Control Low Voltage)

Target Applications: Low-voltage motor control, BLDC/PMSM development

Key Features:

• 24V max, 8A continuous motor drive
• Integrated current sensing with op-amps
• QEI encoder interface
• Push buttons and LEDs for user interface
• Compatible with dsPIC33E, 33C, 33A families

Template Models: FOC control, six-step commutation, sensor interfaces

LVMC (Low Voltage Motor Control)

Target Applications: Entry-level motor control prototyping

Key Features:

• Compact form factor
• Integrated H-bridge driver
• On-board current sensing
• Plug-in module (PIM) socket for easy chip swapping
• USB programmer interface

Template Models: Basic PWM control, ADC sampling, UART communication

MCLV 300W-48V

Target Applications: Higher power motor control, industrial applications

Key Features:

• 48V DC bus, 300W continuous power
• Optimized for dsPIC33A (32-bit DSC with FPU)
• Three-phase current sensing
• High-speed PWM with dead-time control
• CAN communication interface

Template Models: Advanced FOC, floating-point control, high-resolution PWM

The MCLV-48V-300W baseboard accepts motor-control plug-in modules (MC DIM) from several dsPIC families. Four DIMs are supported today; each ships as a dedicated template with its own PWM/ADC/QEI pin map and Internal vs External Op-Amp variant preset:

Templates: MCHP_MCLV48V300W_dsPIC33AK128MC106_DIM.sltx, MCHP_MCLV48V300W_dsPIC33AK256MPS306_DIM.sltx, MCHP_MCLV48V300W_dsPIC33CK256MP508_DIM.sltx, MCHP_MCLV48V300W_dsPIC33CK64MC105_DIM.sltx.

All four document both Op-Amp hardware paths (Internal via DIM on-chip amplifier, External via MCP6024 on the baseboard) with inline shunt and gain formulas and links to the relevant Datasheets. The Op-Amp variant is switched by the boardVariants mask parameter on the BOARD subsystem; switching rewires the current-sense signal M1_I* (internal) ↔ M1_I*_EXT (external) — see DS50002927A Table 3-2 for the jumper / resistor changes needed on the baseboard.

MCHV-230VAC-1.5kW — dsPIC33AK128MC106 DIM (Perseus)

Target Applications: High-voltage motor control, appliance drives, HVAC compressors, industrial 1-phase → 3-phase inverters, active Power-Factor Correction (PFC) front-end.

Key Features:

• 230 V_AC single-phase mains input, 325 V DC bus, 1.5 kW continuous
• Three-phase IPM inverter with integrated gate drivers
• Active PFC front-end (boost) — 64 kHz switching loop, separate from motor loop
• Perseus DIM (dsPIC33AK128MC106) with 20 MHz + 200 MHz dual-clock architecture
• Phase + DC-bus + V_AC + V_abc + IPM NTC temperature sensing
• QEI encoder, fault signal (IPM over-temp/over-current), 2 LEDs, 2 buttons
• USB-CDC programmer/debugger (on-board PKOB nano), XPRO UART extension

Template Model: MCHP_MCHV230VAC1p5kW_dsPIC33AK128MC106_DIM.sltx. Includes the full PINOUT for both motor loop and PFC loop, dual Op-Amp variants (DIM on-chip vs baseboard MCP6024), HV safety notice, and clickable links to the Perseus DIM Info Sheet and the MCHV inverter schematic (03-00505-R1.0).

Motor Control Dev Board (33CDV64MC106)

Target Applications: Dual-core motor control applications

Key Features:

• dsPIC33CDV dual-core architecture
• Independent PWM modules per core
• Multi-motor control capability
• Integrated communication peripherals
• Flexible I/O configuration

Template Models: Dual-motor control, master-slave coordination

Curiosity Nano (EV17P63A) — dsPIC33AK512MPS506

Target Applications: Power supply control, DC-DC converters, digital power management

Key Features:

• Compact nano form factor (breadboard-compatible)
• dsPIC33AK512MPS506 (32-bit DSC with FPU)
• High-resolution PWM (78 ps Fine Edge Placement)
• 4 PWM generators optimized for power electronics
• 3 ADC cores (40 MSPS) with 25 input channels
• On-board debugger with USB-UART bridge (no external programmer needed)
• USB-C power and programming
• Multiple communication interfaces (CAN, I2C, SPI, UART)

Template Model: MCHC_CuriosityNano_EV17P63A_dsPIC33AK512MPS506.sltx — Digital power supply control, DC-DC converter PWM, multi-phase power management.

Curiosity Nano (EV88G73A) — dsPIC33CK64MC105

Target Applications: Compact motor-control development, sensor prototyping, rapid algorithm bring-up on the classic 16-bit dsPIC33C family.

Key Features:

• Compact nano form factor (breadboard-compatible)
• dsPIC33CK64MC105 (16-bit DSC, 100 MIPS)
• Motor-control-oriented PWM and QEI peripherals
• ADC with motor-current-sense channels
• PKOB nano on-board debugger + USB-CDC virtual COM port (460800 baud)
• LED0 on RD10, SW0 on RD13 — same UX convention as the AK Curiosity Nano
• USB-C power and programming
• Typical targets: sensored BLDC, hall-commutated stepper, proof-of-concept FOC

Template Model: MCHC_CuriosityNano_EV88G73A_dsPIC33CK64MC105.sltx — Flat model (no BOARD subsystem) with Counter-Free-Running example + LED blink; ready to extend with your algorithm. Use Ctrl+D to refresh remappable pin popups after wiring up peripherals.

How to Use Board Templates

Method 1: Creating New Model from Template

• Open Simulink: Launch MATLAB and open the Simulink Start Page
• Browse Templates: Navigate to Simulink Start Page → Templates → Microchip
• Select Board: Choose your target development board from the list
• Create Model: Click “Create Model” to generate a new model with pre-configured peripherals
• Customize Algorithm: Replace the placeholder algorithm with your control logic
• Build: Click the Build button (Ctrl+B) to generate code and program the board

Method 2: Loading Template Example

• In MATLAB command window, type: mchp to open the block library
• Navigate to MCHP Blockset → Examples → <Board Name>
• Double-click the desired example model
• Study the configuration and modify as needed
• Save as new model for your project

Template Structure

A typical board template includes the following components:

1. Master Block Configuration

• Target Device: Pre-selected chip matching the board (e.g., dsPIC33CK256MP508)
• Clock Configuration: Oscillator settings for maximum performance
• Compiler Settings: Optimization level, memory model, code replacement
• Programmer Selection: ICD4/ICD5/PICkit configuration

2. Peripheral Blocks

Templates include commonly-used peripherals pre-configured for the board hardware:

3. Sample Algorithm

Templates include a working control algorithm demonstrating:

• Multi-rate execution (fast current loop, slower speed loop)
• Proper scaling and fixed-point data types
• Real-time constraint management
• Best practices for embedded code generation

4. Visualization & Debug Tools

• Task State blocks: Monitor task execution on scope/LEDs
• MCU Load block: Measure CPU utilization
• UART Tx-Matlab: Stream data to picgui for real-time plotting
• Scope trigger points: Pre-configured measurement points

Switching Between Boards

One of the key advantages of templates is easy portability. To migrate an algorithm from one board to another:

• Save Current Model: Backup your algorithm implementation
• Extract Algorithm: Copy your control algorithm subsystem (without peripheral blocks)
• Open Target Template: Load the template for your new target board
• Paste Algorithm: Insert your control algorithm into the new template
• Verify Connections: Ensure algorithm inputs/outputs connect to peripheral blocks
• Adjust Parameters: Update scaling factors, sample times if board specs differ
• Build & Test: Compile for new target and verify functionality

        Updating current sensor scaling (different op-amp gains)
        Adjusting PWM frequency (different board power stage limits)
        Optionally switching from fixed-point to floating-point (utilizing dsPIC33A's FPU)
    
    The core control algorithm remains unchanged!

Template Customization

Common Customization Tasks

Advanced Customization

• Multi-rate Scheduling: Add subsystems with different sample times to implement multi-tasking
• Fixed-Point Optimization: Use Fixed-Point Tool to convert floating-point to fixed-point for faster execution
• Code Replacement: Enable hardware-optimized functions in Configuration Parameters → Code Generation
• External Mode: Add XCP-on-Serial support for real-time parameter tuning from Simulink
• PIL Testing: Configure Processor-in-the-Loop to verify generated code behavior

Template Best Practices

Troubleshooting Template Issues

Model Won’t Build

• Compiler Path: Verify compiler installation in Configuration Parameters → Code Generation → System target file
• MATLAB Version: Ensure MATLAB version matches template requirements (R2020b+ recommended)
• Toolbox Dependencies: Check Embedded Coder, MATLAB Coder, Simulink Coder installed
• Path Issues: Run rehash toolboxcache if blockset not found

Hardware Not Responding

• Programmer Connection: Verify ICD/PICkit connected and powered
• Board Power: Ensure development board has power supply connected
• Chip Selection: Verify Master block targets correct chip for your board version
• Fuse Settings: Check configuration bits match hardware (oscillator type, debug pins)

Incorrect Peripheral Behavior

• Pin Mismatch: Verify template pin assignments match your board revision
• Scaling Errors: Check ADC/PWM scaling factors match your hardware (sensor gains, voltage levels)
• Timing Issues: Verify sample times and peripheral frequencies are correctly configured
• Real-time Violations: Use MCU Load block to check for overload conditions

Creating Custom Templates

Once you’ve configured a model for a custom board, you can save it as a template for reuse:

• Configure Model: Set up all peripherals and verify working on hardware
• Clean Algorithm: Replace specific control logic with generic placeholder algorithm
• Add Documentation: Include block comments explaining peripheral configuration
• Create Template File: Save as .sltx template file (File → Save As → Simulink Template)
• Add Metadata: Fill in template description, tags, and preview image
• Share: Distribute template to team or organization

        Pin assignments and their mapping to board connectors
        Clock configuration rationale and limitations
        Scaling factors for analog inputs (sensor gains, voltage dividers)
        Known hardware limitations or errata workarounds

Example Use Case: DC Motor Control

Using the MCLV-2 template, you can implement a cascaded PI controller for DC motor speed control in under 30 minutes:

• Load Template: Open “MCLV2_dsPIC33CK_MotorControl_Template”

• Pre-configured Peripherals:

• PWM: 20kHz, center-aligned, 1µs dead-time

• ADC: Synchronized to PWM, measuring motor current (AN0) and potentiometer (AN13)

• QEI: 1000-line encoder, speed measurement at 2ms rate

• UART: 115200 baud for picgui data logging

• Add Control Algorithm:

• Inner current loop: PI controller at 50µs (20kHz)

• Outer speed loop: PI controller at 1ms (1kHz)

• Speed reference from potentiometer

• Build & Deploy: Press Ctrl+B to generate code and program board

• Tune & Visualize: Use picgui to monitor speed/current in real-time and adjust PI gains

Result: Working motor control system in 30 minutes instead of several hours of manual configuration!

See Also

MCHP Blockset Overview | Quick Start Guide | Motor Control Examples | External Mode & PIL | User Guide