ICSP Newbie

[Mark Scotford]

I took time to search for Melanies ICSP method, and I think it maybe too simple for my programmer. If I understand things correctly, my programmer raises and lowers the VDD to my PIC (but cannot, because I have hard wired my PIC's VDD, to the supply rail, and is clamped to +5V by my 7805 regulator), to verfiy after programming, that the code has "taken" with all possible supply voltages (I only ever use +5V, but try telling my ELNEC programmer that). When ever I try using the ICSP set-up I am currently using, my ELNEC programmer comes back saying that programming could not be verifyed correctly, and I presume this is because of this VPP raising/lowering problem I have been talking about. ELNEC have told me to consult the Microchip data sheet on ICSP programming, and this is where this thread originates from, can any body help me on this with the correct implementation of the Microchip ICSP protocol/method etc??0

[mister_e]

BTW there's no reason to take your VDD from your programmer.

In your programmer software, you should be able to disable some tests like voltage testing (at xyz voltage(s)).

Did you try to erase the device before programming?

Is this programmer have also an ISP connector?

[Melanie]

>>I took time to search for Melanies ICSP method, and I think it maybe too simple for my programmer.

Are you saying that because something is 'simple' it shouldn't work? I use Elnec although a different model... the software however is probably the same... When you Click PROGRAM DEVICE... select DEVICE OPERATION OPTIONS... therein you will be able to select your Verify and Voltage options.

>> If I understand things correctly, my programmer raises and lowers the VDD to my PIC (but cannot, because I have hard wired my PIC's VDD, to the supply rail, and is clamped to +5V by my 7805 regulator)...

This is the equivallent of "I have my Ferrari tied to a 1 ton concrete block and I can't reach 100mph in 6.5 seconds anymore - can anyone suggest what I can do?".

So you KNOW what your problem is... don't waste time looking for non-existant solutions to a problem you are clearly aware of. If you have VDD on your PIC strapped directly to the +5v rail without a blocking Diode, you are effectively telling the Elnec to power your entire PCB... you're lucky it's not tripping an "Overcurrent Error". No wonder you're getting a Verify failure!

[Mark Scotford]

Sorry, no offense meant

[Melanie]

None taken. Just stating facts. I welcome people pulling my schematics or code apart - I can learn from that as much as anyone else.

[Mark Scotford]

Does the forward voltage drop of the PIC's supply isolating diode not cause any problems?

[Melanie]

Since I don't know what you're doing with your 5v rail, it's impossible to comment. If you're running ADC's and VRef is strapped to Vdd then sure you will have to compensate for that in your design.

Life is a compromise.

It all depends what you're building. If it's a one-off prototype for your own play, then shove a DPDT switch or Relay on the board instead of my Diode solution. Ugly, but no losses there (other than in PCB Real-Estate and Money). If it's a production PCB, then what are you doing with ICSP anyway?... you're just adding unnescessary expense, and if you must, then as I previously said, you will have compensated in your circuit design appropriately.