Hi Mike!

The Velleman 8048 kit uses the High Voltage Programming.

The information below is taken from the WEB.
(I have added only one or two sentences).

Regards,

Luciano


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The PIC16F877 supports three methods to get a program into the chip:

High Voltage Programming (HVP):
HVP uses 12-14V on the reset (MCLR) pin to enable the serial programming mode via pins B6 and B7.

Low Voltage Programming (LVP):
LVP uses B3 as (TTL level) enable input for the same serial programming mode.

Self-programming (bootloader):
Self-programming uses a program executed by the 16f877 itself. This is the approach used by loader firmware.


HVP is always available. This is the programming method common to all PIC chips. LVP seems to be available on all new flash chips (16f87x, 16f62x). Self-programming is unique to the 16f877 and its close relatives (16f87x). LVP is available only when it is enabled by a bit in the fuses word (which can only be changed using HVP). LVP claims pin B3 as enable pin. By default a 16f877 is delivered with LVP enabled.


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High Voltage Programming pro's and con's

PRO:
-Can be used with all PICs, no dedicated pins.
-Can program fuses word.

CON:
-Needs 12-14V to enable, so programmer hardware is a bit complicated.

Comment:
-Best (only?) choice for production work.

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Low Voltage Programming pro's and con's

PRO:
-Does not need 12-14V to enable, so only simple (TTL-only) hardware is needed.
-Can program fuses word (but not LVP enable).

CON:
-Pin RB3 is dedicated to program-enable.
-Can not change LVP enable bit in the fuses word.
-Can be used with newer flash PICs only (16F87X, 16F62X).

Comment:
-Good choice for a very simple parallel port programmer.

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Self-programming (bootloader) pro's and con's

PRO:
-Activation method can be choosen freely.
-Communication method can be choosen freely.

CON:
-Can not program fuses word.
-Can not be combined with code read-protection.
-Can be used with 16F87X PICs only because the bootloader reduces the amount of code flash available for the application.
-Some compilers are not compatible with (some) bootloaders.
-A programmer is needed in order to get the bootloader into the chip. (In a new 16F87X PIC there is no bootloader into the chip).

Comment:
-Good choice for a simple serial port-based loader.

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This information is taken from:
"WLoader - a 16f877 application loader".
http://www.voti.nl/wloader/index_1.html