Microchip's MPLAB IDE and various value-added hardware devices constitute one of the finest ecosystems in the microcontroller space. Microchip recently did a lifecycle upgrade, adding valuable features such as Bluetooth support and SMU functionality to the hardware. This text quickly examines what new features developers can look forward to and how to use them in practice. Keep in mind that development tools generally can be price elastic. As of this research, the lower-end PICkit5 has an OEMsecrets price ranging from 86 to 104 EUR. The high-end version ICD5 can be purchased from 380 to 435 EUR. Importantly, use the manufacturer numbers PG164150 and DV164055 for price comparison.

USBC Connectors Across the Board

The most visible improvement concerns how the command devices connect to your workstation. Both MPLABs now use USB-C, which is beneficial in two ways. Firstly, USB-C cables are used on almost all phones and can easily be sourced on the road. Secondarily, the USBC connector can provide more power, allowing Microchip to eliminate the previously needed wall wart power supply on the larger development tool version.