Very Simple ICSP Programmer

[Squibcakes]

Hi guys,

I have been using this simple programmer.. why pay big bucks for a PIC programmer when this one costs just cents! In fact I have stopped using my 'other programmer' all together now.

All you need is:
three 4.7k Resistors,
a few wires (1m)
9 pin d-connector (female),
and a 5 volt dc supply.

I have used it on 16F84, 16F62X, 16F87X chips without problems.

To make it:

TXD (3) ------[4.7k]-------VPP

GND (5) --------------------VSS

DTR (4) -------[4.7k]------DATA

CTS (8) ------------------DATA

RTS (7) -------[4.7k]------CLK

Numbers in Bracket are the connections on the 9-Pin D-Connector.

I have made up a small PCB to mount the resistors on but... you could just solder them in line to go cheap.. Just be carefull they dont short out. If anyone wants the PCB footprint I can post it.

Then just put your PIC into a breadboard, connect your 5 volt supply to VDD/VSS, and away you go.

[Ingvar]

Looks neat.

What software are you using on the PC?

[Squibcakes]

IC-Prog

http://www.ic-prog.com

[NavMicroSystems]

If you are looking for a cheap programmer have a look at:

http://www.olimex.com/dev/pic-pg2c.html

it is a JDM-type of programmer, it has an ICSP connector and doesn't even need an external power supply.

The assembled Programmer is $9.95 only.

regards

[Dwayne]

Hello Ralph,

Yes, My friend bought one of those programmers. They have them on Ebay for 15 dollars delivered. He likes it.

the only thing he doesn't like about it, is not ZIF socket. got to be careful on removing the chips.

Also, (IF i remember correctly) the programmer does *not* list the 16f648A chip as a programmable chip, but lists the 16f628. Since the chips are interchangeable, he has been programming the 16F648A with the 16F628 include file. Works like a charm...<g>

Dwayne

[Squibcakes]

That programmer looks good.

However when you convert the cost of the programmer plus the freight into Aussie dollars.... it starts getting more expensive.

Cheers

[NavMicroSystems]

Dwayne,

youe are right, ICprog doesn't support the 16F648, but thhere is another free software for serial programmers that does,
see:
http://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/winpicpr.html

regards:

Ralph

[microcozmoz]

Which programmer do u choose in the ic-prog??

[NavMicroSystems]

JDM-Programmer
Direct I/O
I/O Delay 20

regards:

Ralph

[microcozmoz]

Thanks.

[languer]

Have any of you been able to use this with a USB-Serial adapter? When I moved laptops, the new one only had USB ports and I was not able to use it with a USB-serial adapter. I can still use it with the old one, but since the topic was brought-up I figure I asked.

[NavMicroSystems]

As the programmer is powered by the serial port I doubt it works with a USB-Serial adapter.

regards

Ralph

[toreto]

does this work for 12c508a chip?

[Squibcakes]

I don't know.. I have only ever used the 16F**** type chips.

If the 12c508a chip supports ICSP then probably does.
J

[toreto]

ok thanks Squibcakes

[toreto]

can you tell me which pins of 12c508 are VPP,VSS,DATA,DATA,CLK.
thanks.

[mister_e]

>can you tell me which pins of 12c508 are VPP,VSS,DATA,DATA,CLK.
thanks.

here they are

VPP = 4
VSS = 8
PGD = 7
PGC = 6
VDD =1

[toreto]

which of this two is conected to the resitor?
PGD = 7
PGC = 6
thanks for your answer

[mister_e]

sorry for the late reply,
well i never use serie resistor for PGD, PGC for all my purpose i do like this.
http://www.melabs.com/support/icsp.htm

hope this help

regards

[Squibcakes]

Originally posted by toreto
which of this two is conected to the resitor?
PGD = 7
PGC = 6
thanks for your answer

Both are connected through 4.7k resistors, as well as the vpp through a 4.7k resistor.


GP0 = GPD = 7
GP1 = GPC = 6

So in your case you would connect the 12Cxxx chip like this:

D-Conn............................uPIC
TXD (3) ------[4.7k]-------VPP(pin 4)

GND (5) --------------------VSS(pin 8)

DTR (4) -------[4.7k]------DATA(pin 7)

CTS (8) ------------------DATA(pin 7)

RTS (7) -------[4.7k]------CLK(pin 6)

5 volts DC to VDD(pin1)

Hope this helps.
J

[Nimrod]

Both are connected through 4.7k resistors, as well as the vpp through a 4.7k resistor.


GP0 = GPD = 7
GP1 = GPC = 6

So in your case you would connect the 12Cxxx chip like this:

D-Conn............................uPIC
TXD (3) ------[4.7k]-------VPP(pin 4)

GND (5) --------------------VSS(pin 8)

DTR (4) -------[4.7k]------DATA(pin 7)

CTS (8) ------------------DATA(pin 7)

RTS (7) -------[4.7k]------CLK(pin 6)

5 volts DC to VDD(pin1)

Hope this helps.
J

I've tried to make this programmer but somehow I can't program the 12C508a, here is what happends:

I can read the PIC with no problems in ICprog but when I press the program button it gives me an error on 0000h I've checked the Voltage and I have 5V between GND and VCC as expected (I'm powering the programmer through USB since it gives 5V) and between GND and VPP I have -10V without the PIC placed in the socket ofc...its a bit strange to have a value so low isn't it? Can anyone please help me I'm getting crazy with this already screwed 3 PICS...can read them but cant write Thnx

[mister_e]

10V is way too low, this have to be ~13V. This kind of programmer is really not recommended anyways.. worst if you use a USB to Serial converter.

There's few variant of such cheap programmer like JDM, JDM2, Taits, Ludipo, ElCheapo, PicBlaster and the list is long... none of those seems to work properly... even worst with Vista

I've been told the parrallel PIC programmer in the list above work better... BUT ANYWAY...invest ~40$ and buy yourself a real Microchip PICKit 2 or a clone like JuneBug.

and huh.. why not using 12F508 wich is a flash version.. so you can write on it again and again... and again.

[mister_e]

Yet another reason why you should consider PICKit2. Along with it's ICD capability, EEPROM, Keeloq and device programming list, The standalone application give you USART tool (no need for MAX232)... AND NOW, the new V2.50 add this nifty 3 channel LogicAnalyser (logic signal stimulus and monitoring) tool... for free!

As if wasn't enough... >>>PICkit 2 Programmer-To-Go support for programming devices without a PC.<<<

http://www.microchip.com/stellent/id...cName=en023805

How about that?

~40$ for that... even if you don't use it as a daily/main programmer... only the free tools worth it no? I really like the Programmer-To-Go option....

[Ramonetnet]

Can you update the schematic to be used with 18F452 ?
Ramon.

[shottootto]

Hi
I am completely new to PIC, so please excuse if this is stupid.
For Stand-alone(not in-circuit) I understand that to transfer a program I need approx 12V on VPP and this has to be connected after 5V to VDD.
Can I use an external power supply for both voltages and make the VPP 12V switched in by the VDD 5v via a transistor, can it work or is VPP switched during transfer?

So I will then only have these between PC and PIC

GND (5) --------------------VSS

DTR (4) -------[4.7k]------DATA
- |
CTS (8) -----------------

RTS (7) -------[4.7k]------CLK

If it can work, then surely it will solve the laptop and USB-232 adapter problems.
Ps. I know I can buy a programmer, but I want to build one. This is why I ask.

Will appreciate your help.

[toreto]

i am goin to test it and i will post the results.thanks

[microcozmoz]

Hi,

I have made pic-pg2 programmer. But I havent got any idea connecting rs232 cable to the device.

I cant find any schematics in net...

I have an RS232 cable connecting 1-1,2-3,3-2,5-5 but cant connect with this one.

Could u please tell me how can I connect the RS232 cable?

Thanks.

[mslaney]

microcozmoz,
did you ever figure out how to connect your cable? What chip are you using?

[mslaney]

ICSP Sacrifice.

It seems that I lose a couple I/O pins when I use ICSP. RB6 and RB7 specifically.
I want to program the device then be able to use every IO on the chip. Is this possible without disconnecting the ICSP cable entirely?

oh, microcozmoz, I will send you my schematic when I get back to my lab tonight.

[mister_e]

It seems that I lose a couple I/O pins when I use ICSP. RB6 and RB7 specifically.
I want to program the device then be able to use every IO on the chip. Is this possible without disconnecting the ICSP cable entirely?

Depending what you want to do with those pins. Many here will use those PGD, PGC pin as push button inputs. You must design your circuit in regard to this issue.

In the worst case, you can use an DPDT relay + 1 switch to toggle those pins manually between PROGRAMING and NORMAL use.

For all of my application i use a 5 pins ICSP connector with an external switch box (circuit attach here) between my PICSTART and the taget PIC.

PIN 5 (GND/PGM) is a switched Ground. This is use with some PIC that need GND to PGM (low voltage programming pin) when programming. You can use this pin for the relay trigger.

[microcozmoz]

Thanks for your replys....

Actually I want to make a control circuit with ICSP...When I want to edit the program it will be usefull connect to circuit by notebook and programming device on a machine...

I am very busy nowadays

When I'll make the circuit I 'll write here...

Thanks again.

[TONIGALEA]

hi Squibcakes

Does this support 16f627A?


Toni

[Squibcakes]

TONIGALEA,

In short, no.

(But) Yes for 16F84, 16F627, 16F628.

I've used it successfully on 16F628 chips (F27's big brother), but recently I have found some of the F27/8A chips have problems erasing after a successful write.

I found that these chips start up too fast when power is first applied.

Hence this ICSP programmer isn't quick enough to pull the MCLR line high for the erase.

As a work around, put 12volts on the MCLR pin before applying power will erase the chip (this method also a bit flakey).

Since I started this post, I have revised the circuit and added a FET between 12volts and the MCLR line and this is fast enough for all PICS I have tried so far.

Cheers
J

[JoeCJK]

Hi Squibcakes,

I connected the serial port pins to a 16F628 as specified in your simple programmer and ran IC-Prog to write to it. However, the verify always fails, meaning that the hex file is not written into it at all. Could you please suggest a way to fix this? Thanks!

[NavMicroSystems]

Joe,

would you let us know what exactly you have connected to which pins of the 16F628?

See THIS
and
16F628 DataSheet
Programming Specs
ICSP-Guide

[JoeCJK]

Hi,

thks for the reply. Pls bear with me for I am a novice programmer. I connected the 16F628 chip directly to the serial port in the config as shown below:


Serial Port Pins : 16F628 Pins

TXD (Pin 3) -----[4.7K]------ MCLR ( Pin 4)

GND (Pin 5) ----------------- Vss (Pin 5)

DTR (Pin 4 ) -----[4.7K]------ RB 7 (Pin 13)

CTS (Pin 8) ----------------- RB 7 (Pin 13)

RTS (Pin 7) -----[4.7K]------ RB 6 (Pin 12)


To power up the chip, I connected the power supply to these pins on the 16F628.

Vdd (Pin 14 ) ------ + 5V
Vss ( Pin 5 ) ------ + 0V

Afterwards, I used IC-Prog and did a wirte of a hex file but was unsuccessful. No other programmer was used, just a direct serial port to chip connection. By all indications it should work right?

[NavMicroSystems]

Joe,

There are a few things you could check in addition:

What are the levels on you serial port?
(if it's one of those LapTop ports with 5V levels this programmer is most likely NOT going to work).

Another issue might be a floating LVP pin (RB4/PGM on the F628)

See link "Programming Specs" posted earlier

[rushabh]

i have downloaded details about picwin programmer . in this diode bat 42 component is reqd. which is not available . can anyone suggest the equilent diode. suggest me some good programmer details

[NewBoy]

Re: BAT 42

I've found that BAT43, BAT48 and BAT85 all worked fine in my ICSP.

I don't know anything about the programmer you mention but I guess they're simply specifying a small signal, fast, Schottky diode.

If you don't mind a fatter diode then a 1N5818 will probably do.

I've never tried a 'normal' signal diode, it may work, but no doubt you will messages of doom about them.

[BruMans]

i guess BAT42 can be replaced by 1N5820 Diode