Beginner
10 min

Make your temperature measurements more reliable and efficient with MCP9600 and PIC18F57Q43

K-Type connection: Your path to perfect temperature control

Thermo K Click with Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43

Published Feb 13, 2024

Click board™

Thermo K Click

Dev. board

Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC18F57Q43

Our cutting-edge solution serves as a K-Type thermocouple probe interface, offering unparalleled accuracy and control for all your temperature measurement needs

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

Thermo K Click is based on the MCP9600, a thermocouple EMF to temperature converter from Microchip. This converter typically has an accuracy of ±0.5°C for thermocouple hot-junction with very good hot and cold-junctions resolution of +0.0625°C. It features four programmable temperature alert outputs that monitor hot or cold-junction temperature, detects rising or falling temperature, and has up to 255°C of programmable hysteresis. In addition, it comes with integrated cold-junction compensation, and the correction coefficients are derived from the NIST Institute database. The Delta-Sigma ADC converter can work in 12/14/16/18-bit selectable resolutions, which is useful for detecting fast temperature transients. The MCP9600 provides

integrated thermocouple open-circuit and short-circuit detection, with an alert signal when the thermocouple wire is broken or disconnected, a feature that comes in handy. In the same way, the alert signal is asserted if the thermocouple wire is shorted to the ground or power. Regarding the alert, the MCP9600 will also notify the wrong polarity either in the Comparator or Interrupt modes. The Comparator mode is helpful for thermostat-type applications to switch fan controllers, LEDs, and more, while the Interrupt mode is more convenient for microprocessor-based systems. The low-power segment comes in Shutdown mode and Burst mode with 1 up to 128 temperature samples. The Thermo K Click uses a standard 2-Wire I2C interface to communicate

with the host MCU, supporting standard 100KHz frequency. The four alert outputs from the MCP9600 can be observed over the AL1, AL2, AL3, and AL4 pins of the mikroBUS™ socket. These are programmable push-pull outputs. The Thermo K Click comes with a PCC-SMP connector for connecting an appropriate probe that MIKROE offers, the K-type Glass Braid Insulated probe. This Click board™ can operate with either 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels selected via the PWR SEL jumper. This way, both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs can use the communication lines properly. Also, this Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

Thermo K Click top side image
Thermo K Click bottom side image

Features overview

Development board

PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity Nano evaluation kit is a cutting-edge hardware platform designed to evaluate microcontrollers within the PIC18-Q43 family. Central to its design is the inclusion of the powerful PIC18F57Q43 microcontroller (MCU), offering advanced functionalities and robust performance. Key features of this evaluation kit include a yellow user LED and a responsive

mechanical user switch, providing seamless interaction and testing. The provision for a 32.768kHz crystal footprint ensures precision timing capabilities. With an onboard debugger boasting a green power and status LED, programming and debugging become intuitive and efficient. Further enhancing its utility is the Virtual serial port (CDC) and a debug GPIO channel (DGI

GPIO), offering extensive connectivity options. Powered via USB, this kit boasts an adjustable target voltage feature facilitated by the MIC5353 LDO regulator, ensuring stable operation with an output voltage ranging from 1.8V to 5.1V, with a maximum output current of 500mA, subject to ambient temperature and voltage constraints.

PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity Nano double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC

MCU Memory (KB)

128

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

48

RAM (Bytes)

8196

You complete me!

Accessories

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards is a versatile hardware extension platform created to streamline the integration between Curiosity Nano kits and extension boards, tailored explicitly for the mikroBUS™-standardized Click boards and Xplained Pro extension boards. This innovative base board (shield) offers seamless connectivity and expansion possibilities, simplifying experimentation and development. Key features include USB power compatibility from the Curiosity Nano kit, alongside an alternative external power input option for enhanced flexibility. The onboard Li-Ion/LiPo charger and management circuit ensure smooth operation for battery-powered applications, simplifying usage and management. Moreover, the base incorporates a fixed 3.3V PSU dedicated to target and mikroBUS™ power rails, alongside a fixed 5.0V boost converter catering to 5V power rails of mikroBUS™ sockets, providing stable power delivery for various connected devices.

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards accessories 1 image

The Type-K thermocouple, equipped with glass braid insulation, is a versatile tool designed for precision temperature measurements, particularly in high-temperature environments. With a calibrated Type-K configuration and a 24 AWG gage wire spanning 2 meters, this probe is engineered to provide reliable readings. Its operational temperature range extends to 480°C (900°F), making it suitable for demanding applications. The glass braid insulation ensures durability and stability during measurements, and the connector body can withstand temperatures up to 220°C (425°F). The Type-K thermocouple probe features a PCC-SMP connector at its end, which offers compatibility with THERMO Click and Thermo K Click boards. This connectivity makes it a valuable tool for various industrial and scientific settings, where precision and reliability in temperature monitoring are essential.

Thermo K Click accessories image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

Alert Signal 4
PA0
AN
Alert Signal 3
PA7
RST
NC
NC
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Alert Signal 2
PB0
PWM
Alert Signal 1
PA6
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
I2C Clock
PB2
SCL
I2C Data
PB1
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

Thermo K Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43 as your development board.

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards front image hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click front image hardware assembly
PIC18F47Q10 Curiosity Nano front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Board mapper by product8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
Necto image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity MCU Step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step hardware assembly

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for Thermo K Click driver.

Key functions:

  • thermok_get_temperature - Temperature data

  • thermok_get_status - Get status

  • thermok_get_device_info - Functions for read device info

Open Source

Code example

The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.

/*!
 * \file 
 * \brief ThermoK Click example
 * 
 * # Description
 * Demo application shows basic temperature reading using Thermo K Click.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 * 
 * ## Application Init 
 * Configuring Clicks and log objects.
 * Reads the device ID and also checks the Click and MCU communication.
 * 
 * ## Application Task  
 * Reads Temperature data(Type K probe) and this data logs to USBUART every 500ms.
 * 
 * \author Katarina Perendic
 *
 */
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "thermok.h"

// ------------------------------------------------------------------ VARIABLES

static thermok_t thermok;
static log_t logger;

static uint16_t device_info;

// ------------------------------------------------------ APPLICATION FUNCTIONS

void application_init ( void )
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;
    thermok_cfg_t cfg;

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, "---- Application Init ----" );

    //  Click initialization.

    thermok_cfg_setup( &cfg );
    THERMOK_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    thermok_init( &thermok, &cfg );

    // Check communication and reads device ID

    device_info = thermok_get_device_info( &thermok );

    if ( ( device_info >> 8 ) == THERMOK_DEVICE_ID )
    {
        log_info(&logger, "---- Communication OK!!! ----" );
    }
    else
    {
        log_info(&logger, "---- Communication ERROR!!! ----" );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    Delay_1sec( );
}

void application_task ( void )
{
    float temperature;

    //  Task implementation.

    temperature = thermok_get_temperature( &thermok, 
                                           THERMOK_REG_HOT_JUNCTION_TEMP_THR, 
                                           THERMOK_TEMP_IN_CELSIUS );
    log_printf( &logger, ">> Temperature is %.2f C\r\n", temperature );

    Delay_ms ( 1000 );
    Delay_ms ( 500 );
}

int main ( void ) 
{
    /* Do not remove this line or clock might not be set correctly. */
    #ifdef PREINIT_SUPPORTED
    preinit();
    #endif
    
    application_init( );
    
    for ( ; ; ) 
    {
        application_task( );
    }

    return 0;
}


// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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