PGM for ICSP

[dragons_fire]

I'm designing a board around a PIC18F6680, and the datasheets mention that programming can be done with only 2 pins. (PGC and PGD, although MCLR and GND are needed too). In a bunch of posts on here, people say that PGM needs to be grounded with a Resistor.

does it really need to be grounded, or can i use it as an I/O?

[mister_e]

Yes it can be used as a regular I/O no problem, but this I/O have to be loaded while programming your PIC, unless you may have some programming errors. Sit 1 LED, LCD or whatever else solve problem in most cases. Case not, just add a 10-22K load to gnd.

Life will be good enough.

[dragons_fire]

so i do need a load on it for programming?? can i have a resistor to ground and then still use it to control a RC servo? so i would be using a pulsout command on that pin. so something like this would work:


servo
|
|
|
|
--------------PGM
|
\
/
\
/
|
GND

[mister_e]

Yes indeed !

[dragons_fire]

thanks, i will give that a try