Building Block Solution for Embedded Systems FAQs

The Building Block Solutions– Embedded Systems (BB91A23A) kit is a modular demonstration platform containing several analog, mixed-signal and microcontroller (MCU) devices configured in separate Building Block Solutions (BBS) boards. It is designed for evaluation and system-level implementation. The modular format allows you to integrate individual boards into existing systems or configure multiple boards together for diverse application requirements, supporting rapid prototyping, system expansion and customized solutions.

The kit includes the following ten BBS boards:

• PIC16F17576 BBS – Features the PIC16F17576 microcontroller, optimized for low-power and robust analog applications. It includes a low-power Voltage Reference (VREF) a comparator capable of analog thresholding at under 3 µA, four operational amplifierss, two 8-bit Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs), a 12-bit differential Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and an Analog Peripheral Manager — a comprehensive and power-sensitive PIC16 analog portfolio
• MCP3564R BBS (BB88G26A) – Features the MCP3564R 8-channel, 24-bit, 153.6 ksps Delta-Sigma ADC with an internal voltage reference, oscillator, temperature sensor and burnout sensor detection. Extensive software, firmware examples, APIs and an evaluation board are available.
• MCP42U83 BBS – Features the MCP42U83 10-bit dual-channel digital potentiometer. It supports single-supply or dual-supply operation and can be configured as a potentiometer or rheostat; internal resistor ladder has 1,023 resistors with 1,024 wiper connection points.
• Non-Inverting Amplifier BBS – Features a SOT23-5 op-amp footprint populated with MCP6V11. The board can be configured as a non-inverting amplifier, voltage follower, Sallen-Key filter or difference amplifier. Resistor and capacitor positions are unpopulated for user configuration.
• Inverting Amplifier BBS – Features a SOT23-5 operational amplifier footprint populated with MCP6V11. The board can be configured by the user as an inverting amplifier, multiple feedback low-pass filter or multiple feedback band-pass filter. Resistor and capacitor positions are unpopulated for user configuration.
• Potentiostat Circuit BBS – Features a potentiostat circuit design with an unpopulated footprint for the user to add an electrochemical gas sensor of their choice.
• MCP9700B BBS (BB93Z17A) – Features the MCP9700B analog output temperature sensor, which converts temperature to a voltage between 0V and VDD. When used with a 12-bit ADC and 4.096V reference, the output resolution is 0.1°C per bit.
• MCP1501-18 BBS (BB17J62A) – Features the MCP1501-18 1.8V buffered voltage reference capable of sourcing and sinking up to 20 mA.
• MCP16251-33 BBS – Features the MCP16251/2 fixed-frequency synchronous boost DC-DC converter suitable for applications powered by one-cell, two-cell or three-cell alkaline, Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) or single-cell Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) and Lithium-Polymer (Li-Polymer) batteries.
• MIC5317 BBS – Features the MIC5317 150 mA Low Dropout (LDO) regulator with high power supply rejection. It operates from 2.5V to 6.0V input and provides output voltages from 1.0V to 3.6V, well-suited for USB-port or 6V AC adaptor applications.

The boards come fully populated with their primary Surface-Mount Device (SMD) components. For evaluation, you will need:

• Header pins (not included) for connectivity between boards and external equipment
• An external laboratory power supply
• An oscilloscope for signal monitoring and data acquisition
• A function generator for signal generation, as required

Depending on the application, some or all of these components may be required.

Select boards based on the signal chain and power requirements of your target application:

• For microcontroller processing and low-power analog control, use the PIC16F17576 BBS
• For high-resolution (24-bit) data acquisition from sensors, use the MCP3564R BBS
• For programmable resistance or variable gain control, use the MCP42U83 digital potentiometer BBS
• For signal conditioning with fixed gain,  use the non-Inverting or inverting amplifier BBS
• For electrochemical sensor interfacing, use the potentiostat circuit BBS
• For ambient temperature measurement,  use the MCP9700B BBS
• For a stable 1.8V precision reference, use the MCP1501-18 BBS
• For boosting a low battery voltages, use the MCP16251-33 BBS
• For low-noise regulated supply rails, use the MIC5317 BBS

The non-inverting amplifier BBS board is shipped with an MCP6V11 operational amplifier and a bypass capacitor installed. All resistor and capacitor positions are unpopulated.

By adding external components, the board can be configured as:

• A non-inverting amplifier (gain set by two resistors)
• A voltage follower or unity-gain buffer (no gain resistors needed)
• A Sallen-Key low-pass or high-pass filter (two resistors and two capacitors)
• A difference amplifier (four resistors)[AHC1]

Refer to the MCP6V11 datasheet and standard operational amplifier application references for component selection.

The inverting amplifier BBS board is shipped with an MCP6V11 operational amplifier and a bypass capacitor installed. All other component positions are unpopulated.

By adding external components, the board can be configured as:

• An inverting amplifier (gain set by two resistors)
• A multiple feedback low-pass filter (two resistors and two capacitors)
• A multiple feedback band-pass filter (three resistors and two capacitors)

Refer to the MCP6V11 datasheet and standard active filter design references for component selection.

The potentiostat circuit BBS board is designed for electrochemical sensor interfacing. A potentiostat maintains a fixed potential difference between a working electrode and a reference electrode in an elecctrochemical cell, which is commonly used to operate and measure electrochemical gas sensors. The board includes an unpopulated footprint that allows you to attach a electrochemical gas sensor of your choice. 

These boards serve complementary power management functions:

• MCP16251-33 boost regulator – Steps a lower input voltage up to a higher regulated output voltage and is commonly used when battery supply voltage is below the required system rail.
• MIC5317 LDO regulator – Steps a higher input voltage down to a lower regulated output voltage and provides high power supply rejection for noise-sensitive analog circuits.

Appendix A of the user guide contains the full board schematics and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layer views for the BB91A23A kit, including schematics for all ten sub-module boards:

• PIC16F17576, MCP3564R, MCP42U83, Non-Inverting Amplifier, Inverting Amplifier, Potentiostat, MCP9700B, MCP1501-18, MCP16251-3.3 and MIC5317 BBS boards
• PCB layer views include top silk, top copper and silk, top copper, bottom copper, bottom copper and silk and bottom silk layers.

Appendix B of the user guide contains the complete Bill of Materials (Table B-1). Key Microchip ICs populated across the kit include:

• MCP42U83T-104E/ST – 10-bit dual digital potentiometer, TSSOP-14
• MCP6V11T-E/OT – Single-channel 80 kHz op-amp, SOT-23-5 (used in amplifier BBS boards)
• MCP6V14-E/ST – Quad-channel 80 kHz op-amp, TSSOP-14
• MCP9700BT-H/TT – Analog temperature sensor, –40°C to +150°C, SOT-23-3
• MCP1501T-18E/CHY – 1.8V precision voltage reference, SOT-23-6
• MCP16251 – Synchronous boost regulator, SOT-23-6
• MIC5317-3.3YD5 – 150 mA LDO regulator 3.3V, TSOT23-5
• PIC16F17576-I/MP – 8-bit MCU, 32 MHz, 28 KB flash, 2 KB RAM, QFN-40
• MCP3564RT-E/NC – 24-bit Delta-Sigma ADC, UQFN-20