# P-Star 45K50 Mini SV **Type:** Product page · **SKU:** POLOLU-3156 · **Brand:** [Pololu](https://core-electronics.com.au/brands/pololu-australia) **Page:** https://core-electronics.com.au/p-star-45k50-mini-sv.html ([markdown](https://core-electronics.com.au/p-star-45k50-mini-sv.html.md)) The P-Star 45K50 Mini SV is a small programmable module featuring Microchip’s PIC18F45K50 microcontroller. It packs a Micro-USB interface and 30 digital... ## Pricing - **Price:** $42.60 (inc GST) — $38.73 AUD, exc GST - **Quantity discounts:** 10+ $37.18 (exc GST) · 25+ $36.02 (exc GST) ## Availability & dispatch - Available with a lead time — expect dispatch between Aug 17 and Aug 18. ## Description | [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8097_24653e604a6.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8097_739347b8bc9.jpg) | |---| | P-Star 45K50 Mini SV dimensions, with U.S. quarter for size reference. | The Pololu P-Star 45K50 Mini SV is a general-purpose programmable module based on Microchip’s PIC18F45K50 microcontroller, which has 32 KB of flash program memory, 2 KB of RAM, and built-in USB functionality. On-board features of the P-Star (abbreviated P\*) include a 16 MHz crystal, a USB Micro-B connector, and three user-controllable indicator LEDs. A switching step-down voltage regulator and power selection circuit allow the board to be powered from either USB or an external 5 V to 36 V source, while a current limit on the USB VBUS supply and reverse protection on VIN help protect it from accidental damage. The board ships with a USB bootloader that makes it easy to program the PIC microcontroller without using an external programmer. Pololu's comprehensive user’s guide provides the basics you need to get started with the P-Star as well as detailed technical information. This product requires a [USB A to Micro-B cable](https://core-electronics.com.au/thin-2mm-usb-cable-a-to-micro-b-6-ft-low-full-speed-only.html) (not included) to connect to a computer. | [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8096_7768370fd88.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8096_47902cae673.jpg) | |---| | P-Star 45K50 Mini SV, top view. | **Features** - Dimensions: 2" × 0.7" (2.05" × 0.7" including USB Micro-B connector) - Programmable Microchip PIC18F45K50 microcontroller - 32 KB flash (8 KB used by bootloader, leaving 24 KB available for user program by default) - 2 KB SRAM - 256 bytes of EEPROM - Native full-speed USB (12 Mbps) - Internally clocked at 48 MHz, resulting in execution speeds up to 12 million instructions per second (MIPS) - Precision 16 MHz crystal - 30 I/O lines in a small package - 28 user I/O pins on the two long sides of the board - 2 additional I/O pins available in other locations - 25 pins can be configured as analog inputs - 2 PWM output signals (one of which can be sent to four different pins) - 5-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) output - Three user-controllable LEDs - Reset button - USB Micro-B connector - Can be powered from USB or external source regulated to 5 V by onboard regulator - Operating voltage: 5 V to 36 V - 5 V logic voltage - Auxiliary 3.3 V linear regulator - Reverse-voltage protection on external power input - Ships with a proprietary USB bootloader developed by Pololu for the P-Star - Bootloader is usable from Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X with [open source software](https://github.com/pololu/p-load) - No external programmer required - Compatible with standard Microchip compilers, development tools, and programmers - Comprehensive user’s guide **Pinout** | [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8129_114815ce989.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8129_325366d81aa.jpg) | |---| | P-Star 45K50 Mini SV pinout diagram. | This diagram identifies the I/O and power pins on the P-Star 45K50 Mini SV. The diagram is also available as a [printable PDF](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/p-star_45k50_mini_sv_pinout_54704911845.pdf) (547k pdf). For more information about the PIC18F45K50 microcontroller and its peripherals, see Microchip’s [PIC18F45K50 documentation](https://www.microchip.com/en-us/product/PIC18F45K50). **Included hardware** Two 1×18-pin breakaway [0.1" male headers](https://core-electronics.com.au/0-100-2-54-mm-breakaway-male-header-1x40-pin-straight.html) and one 1×7-pin breakaway 0.1" male header are included with the P-Star 45K50 Mini. These header pins can be soldered in to use the board with perfboards, [breadboards](https://core-electronics.com.au/prototyping/breadboards.html), or [0.1" female connectors](https://core-electronics.com.au/connectors-sockets/headers/female-straight.html). | \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8093_27678288147.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8093_47446908f5e.jpg) \| \|---\| \| P-Star 45K50 Mini SV with included optional headers. \| | \| [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8098_22707e4b209.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8098_4078494b7fc.jpg) \| \|---\|---\| \| P-Star 45K50 Mini SV on a breadboard, shown with a vertical 5-pin ICSP programming header installed. \| | |---| **The P-Star family** The P-Star 45K50 Mini is part of Pololu's [P-Star family](https://core-electronics.com.au/category/217/p-star-programmable-controllers). The table below lists the members of the family and shows the key differences between them. | [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8099_37168107f97.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8099_68209216c0b.jpg) | |---| | P-Star 25K50 Micro (top) and P-Star 45K50 Mini SV (bottom). | | | [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J5684_21201d0f7d.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/p-star-25k50-micro.html) | [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8094_2703f599af.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/p-star-45k50-mini-sv.html) | |---|---|---| | | [P-Star 25K50 Micro](https://core-electronics.com.au/p-star-25k50-micro.html) | [P-Star 45K50 Mini SV](https://core-electronics.com.au/p-star-45k50-mini-sv.html) | | Microcontroller: | PIC18F25K50 | PIC18F45K50 | | User I/O lines: | 19 | 30 | | Analog inputs: | 14 | 25 | | Reset button: | | ![yes](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/check_29454a38f.png) | | Operating voltage: | 5.5 V to 15 V | 5 V to 36 V | | Regulator type: | linear | switching step-down | | Regulated current:**(1)** | 100 mA | 500 mA | | Auxiliary 3.3 V regulator: | | ![yes](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/check_29454a38f.png) | | Dimensions: | 1" × 0.6" | 2.0" × 0.7" | | Weight:**(2)** | 1.3 g | 3.5 g | **1** These values are rough approximations for comparison purposes. Available current depends on input voltage, current consumed by the board, ambient conditions, and regulator topology. **2** Without included optional headers. **People often buy this product together with:** | [![P-Star 25K50 Micro](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J5684_541865dde3.jpg)](https://core-electronics.com.au/p-star-25k50-micro.html) | [P-Star 25K50 Micro](https://core-electronics.com.au/p-star-25k50-micro.html) | |---|---| **Dimensions** | Size: | 0.7" × 2.05" × 0.17"[1](https://core-electronics.com.au/#note1) | |---|---| | Weight: | 3.5 g[2](https://core-electronics.com.au/#note2) | **General specifications** | Processor: | PIC18F45K50 | |---|---| | RAM size: | 2 Kbytes | | Program memory size: | 32 Kbytes[3](https://core-electronics.com.au/#note3) | | Motor channels: | 0 | | User I/O lines: | 30[4](https://core-electronics.com.au/#note4) | | Minimum operating voltage: | 5 V[5](https://core-electronics.com.au/#note5) | | Maximum operating voltage: | 36 V | | Logic voltage: | 5 V | | Reverse voltage protection?: | Y[6](https://core-electronics.com.au/#note6) | | External programmer required?: | N | **Identifying markings** | PCB dev codes: | pc02c | |---|---| **Notes:** 1Without included optional headers. This measurement includes the USB Micro-B connector, which extends 0.05" past the edge of the PCB.2Without included optional headers.38 KB of the MCU's 32 KB of flash memory is used by the pre-installed USB bootloader. All 32 KB is available if you use an external programmer and erase the bootloader.4All 30 can be used as digital I/O, 25 can be used as analog inputs, and one can be an analog output. 28 of the 30 are available along the sides for use in a breadboard.5For light loads. The regulator's dropout voltage increases approximately linearly with the load, from a few millivolts at no load up to around 0.6 V at 500 mA.6On BAT+. **Documentation and other information** - ![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/0J8099_632855f88a.jpg)**Pololu P-Star User’s Guide ([Printable PDF](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/p-star_25k50_13744df2b07.pdf))** User’s manual for the Pololu P-Star programmable modules. **File downloads** - **[Pinout diagram of the P-Star 45K50 Mini SV](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/p-star_45k50_mini_sv_pinout_54704911845.pdf) (547k pdf)** - **[Schematic diagram of the P-Star 45K50 Mini SV](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/p-star-45k50-mini-sv-schematic_2518005cd9b.pdf) (252k pdf)** - **[Dimension diagram of the P-Star 45K50 Mini SV](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/p-star-45k50-mini-sv-dimensions_19360508e5d.pdf) (194k pdf)** - **3D model of the P-Star 45K50 Mini SV (8MB step)** - **Pololu USB Bootloader Utility (p-load) for Windows (1MB msi)** - **Pololu USB Bootloader Utility (p-load) for macOS (87k pkg)** - **[Pololu USB Bootloader Utility (p-load) for Linux (x86)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/p-load-2_47832b1245c.xz) (478k xz)** - **[Pololu USB Bootloader Utility (p-load) for Linux (Raspberry Pi)](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/p-load-2_3737855218a.xz) (374k xz)** - **Drill guide for the P-Star 45K50 Mini SV (69k dxf)** This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes. **Recommended links** - **[PIC18F45K50 documentation](https://www.microchip.com/en-us/product/PIC18F45K50)** Microchip’s product page for the PIC18F45K50, with links to its datasheet and other resources. - **[Pololu USB Bootloader Utility (p-load) source code](https://github.com/pololu/p-load)** - **[MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE)](https://www.microchip.com/en-us/tools-resources/develop/mplab-x-ide)** MPLAB X is a free IDE from Microchip for programming their PIC microcontrollers. It runs on Windows, Max OS X, and Linux. MPLAB X comes with the a simulator and the MPASM assembler. It works well with the [MPLAB XC Compilers](https://www.microchip.com/en-us/tools-resources/develop/mplab-xc-compilers) and the [PICkit 3](https://www.microchip.com/en-us/development-tool/PG164130). - **[MPLAB XC Compilers](https://www.microchip.com/en-us/tools-resources/develop/mplab-xc-compilers)** The MPLAB XC Compilers from Microchip are a family of C compilers for PIC MCUs. The compilers are free to use, but paid versions are available that provide better optimizations. - **[P-Star Examples](https://github.com/pololu/p-star-examples)** A collection example code and libraries for the P-Star. - **[PICkit 3](https://www.microchip.com/en-us/development-tool/PG164130)** Microchip’s PICkit 3 programmer is a low-cost hardware debugger and programmer for PIC microcontrollers. - **SDCC – Small Device C Compiler** SDCC is a free and open source compiler that supports many types of microcontrollers, including PIC MCUs that use the PIC18 architecture. The PIC18s are called PIC16 in the SDCC documentation and command-line interface because the instructions are 16 bits wide. As of August 2014, the [SDCC manual](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/sdccman_97555633ff6.pdf) states that the support for these PIC microcontrollers “is not yet mature and still lacks many features”. - **PICBASIC PRO Compiler 3.0** A BASIC compiler that targets PIC microcontrollers. - **[M-Stack](https://github.com/signal11/m-stack)** M-Stack is an open source USB Stack from Signal 11 Software for Microchip PIC microcontrollers. - **[RPicSim](https://github.com/pololu/rpicsim)** The RPicSim library provides an interface to the MPLAB X PIC simulator that allows you to write simulator-based automated tests of PIC firmware. RPicSim is written in the Ruby language and runs on JRuby. - **[XPRESS-BootLoader](https://github.com/perkyguy/XPRESS-Bootloader/tree/PStar)** This bootloader can run on the [P-Star 25K50](https://core-electronics.com.au/p-star-25k50-micro.html). It acts as a USB mass storage device and allows the P-Star to be programmed by copying a HEX file onto it. ## Images - [Product image 1](https://core-electronics.com.au/media/catalog/product/i/m/image_5447.jpg)