2. Getting Started
2.1 Xplained Pro Quick Start
Steps to start exploring the Xplained Pro platform:
1. Download and install Atmel Studio.
2. Launch Atmel Studio.
When the Xplained Pro MCU kit is connected to the computer for the first time, the operating system
installs the driver software automatically. This driver supports 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft
®
Windows
®
XP, Windows Vista
®
, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2012.
When the Xplained Pro MCU board is powered, the power LED (green) glows and the Atmel Studio
automatically detects the specific Xplained Pro MCU and extension board(s) that are connected. The
landing page of the kit in the Atmel Studio has an option to launch the Atmel Software Framework (ASF)
and the Atmel START example application codes for the kit. The QT7 Xplained Pro device is programmed
and debugged by the on-board embedded debugger and therefore no external programmer or debugger
tool is required.
2.2 Design Document and Relevant Links
• Xplained Products: Xplained evaluation kits are a series of easy-to-use evaluation kits for
Microchip microcontrollers and other Microchip products.
– Xplained Nano – used for low pin count devices and provides a minimalistic solution with
access to all I/O pins of the target microcontroller.
– Xplained Mini – used for medium pin count devices and adds an Arduino Uno compatible
header footprint and a prototyping area.
– Xplained Pro – used for medium to high pin count devices that feature advanced debugging
and standardized extensions for peripheral functions.
Note: All the above kits have on-board programmers/debuggers, which creates a set of low-cost
boards for evaluation and demonstration of features and capabilities of different Microchip products.
• Atmel Start: This tool will help you select and configure software components and tailor your
embedded application in a usable and optimized manner.
• Atmel Studio: Free Atmel IDE for development of C/C++ and assembler code for Atmel
microcontrollers.
• Atmel Data Visualizer: Atmel Data Visualizer is a program used for processing and visualizing
data. Data Visualizer can receive data from various sources such as the Embedded Debugger Data
Gateway Interface found on Xplained Pro boards and COM ports.
• Design Documentation: Package containing CAD source, schematics, BOM, assembly drawings,
3D plots, layer plots, etc.
• Hardware User's Guide: PDF version of this user's guide.
• QT7 Xplained Pro on Microchip Page: Microchip website link.
Getting Started
© 2018 Microchip Technology Inc.
User Guide
DS50002725A-page 5
