RN2483 LoRa™ TECHNOLOGY

PICtail™/PICtail PLUS DAUGHTER

BOARD USER’S GUIDE

 2015 Microchip Technology Inc.

Advance Information

DS50002366A-page 15

Chapter 2. Getting Started

2.1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter describes the hardware requirements for RN2483 LoRa Technology

PICtail/PICtail Plus Daughter Board and also provides the different types of

communication modes.

The module accepts commands via UART interface. Basically, two communication

modes are supported by the daughter board, USB mode and PICtail mode.

PICtail mode gives more computing power to the user program, since motherboards

contain additional MCUs.

This chapter discusses the following topics:

• Communication Modes

• Communication to the Module

• Hardware Description

2.2

COMMUNICATION MODES

2.2.1

USB mode

USB mode is initiated if the daughter board is connected to a USB port via a mini-USB

cable. In this mode, the on-board PIC18 MCU provides a USB-to-UART bridge.

Supply voltage is provided via USB and the on-board LDO (IC1) which regulates 5V to

the nominal 3.3V.

2.2.2

PICtail mode

PICtail mode is initiated if no USB cable is attached to the board and the board is

plugged into the appropriate motherboard.

When USB power is not attached, the on-board PIC18 MCU does not influence UART

communication.

2.2.3

PICtail mode with USB connected

The daughter board can be used in a third mode when it is connected to a PICtail

motherboard while the USB is also connected. It is useful when the user wants to set

the supply voltage from the PICtail connector while the communication must be

continuously active via the USB interface. The on-board PIC18 MCU takes over the

control of the UART interface. In this case, the motherboard is unable to send UART

messages to the module, however, the messages sent by the module appear on the

PICtail UART.

Note: User must ensure that PICtail/PICtail Plus port pins are fully compatible to

the pinout of the daughter board.

Note: Some motherboards may adjust the supply voltage to the attached MCU

Plug-in Module. Do not exceed the supply voltage limits of the module.