Serial port PIC Programmer

inchworm pic programmer

Looking around for an open (schematic + firmware code available) serial port PIC programmer which can handle 16F, 18F and possibly dsPIC series.

Ofcourse, must be externally powered and NOT depend on stealing power from serial port.

Any suggestions ?

16f77 serial port

The Inchworm design meets all those requirements.

true serial port pic programmer

It programs 16F, 18F and possibly dsPIC series ?

Methinks it's a serial ICD2 clone ?

Hence, is it logically compatible with the ICD2 ?

I mean does it support EVERYTHING that ICD2 does ?

How is the serial debugging speed ?

How often do you use the Inchworm

inchworm burn eeprom

Actually i have come across 1 company who build his own programmer and have his own firmware for PIC 16F and 18F
once u dl the firmware into the PIC using other programmer then u can use this programmer to dl the code on board.
yes, u need to first dl the firmware into that PIC using other available programmer cause this programmer only can work once u burn in the firmware

the website : www.cytron.com.my
I believe they put their firmware coding in this website

16f886 on board icd

vsmGuy said:

It programs 16F, 18F and possibly dsPIC series ?

Methinks it's a serial ICD2 clone ?

Hence, is it logically compatible with the ICD2 ?

I mean does it support EVERYTHING that ICD2 does ?

How is the serial debugging speed ?

How often do you use the Inchworm

Click to expand...

Yes it's a serial ICD2 clone, and MPLAB ICD2 compatible.

It does not support 3.3V chips (it is unbuffered), it is RS232 not USB (but a USB to RS232 adapter is about $12), it does not have a programmable VPP (it is fixed to 12.5 - 13V). The real ICD2 has a power toggle mode, the Inchworm is always on (you can power the Inchworm from your target though)

The serial debug speed is exactly like all other ICD2 clones EXCEPT the 18F4550 variant which is very fast. It will single step sans watch windows at about 2sec per instruction. Every variable in an open watch window will add about 1sec to the stepping speed. Programming is very fast.

I have a real ICE (Tech-tools) which is a wonderful tool, too bad Tech-Tools stopped making modules for it. (at $200 per pod not cheap either)

I use my Inchworm & Firefly almost every day, it's amazing how handy the debug mode is. Normally I will program run (fast), if I have a problem then I debug using breakpoints and use only the watch windows I need to view. If I'm playing with the code then I use MPLABs simulator (super fast). I've not powered up the old Clearview ICE in ages.

The Inchworm was designed to be as simple & foolproof a design as possible. 2 ICs ST232 & 16F877A, a voltage regulator 7805 and 4 transistors. Simple power requirements 9-15VDC wall wart or 7-15VDC if you use a LM2905 instead of the 7805.

The built in 800ma 5V supply for your projects with more current available than any other ICD many clones are parasitic powered & USB is limited to about 400ma an you CAN damage your USB ports with some USB clones

The Inchworm assembly manual should make building one from scratch easy, of course the PCB makes it look nice and more reliable than a scratch built one.

Here's a nice PIC site that has built the kit with photos too.
**broken link removed**
**broken link removed**

Hi

To blueroomelectronics.


can you share some information about how you create this wonderfull 3D graphics?

Very Nice.

picstudent

yep. Please blueroom. It looks awesome

many clones are parasitic powered & USB is limited to about 400ma

Click to expand...

Powering from USB is not parasitic

an you CAN damage your USB ports with some USB clones

Click to expand...

Please show me a clone, which can damage the USB port

The software for the 3D drawings is Sketchup, search for the free Google version.

As for potyo. I meant the non USB versions, the first ICD2 clone I bought (serial) used your project as a power supply.

You're right, seems motherboards generally use a thermal fuse (self resetting) to limit current on USB.

PS here's an image of the insides of a real ICD2, it's the Cypress version (no 18F4550) so it's no faster or slower than any other serial ICD2.
http://www.kaele.com/~kashima/diary/icd2a.jpg

Here's a kit in the works called Mongoose (also drawn in Sketchup)
**broken link removed**

And the gearbox with opto sensors.
**broken link removed**

I was having a look at the Inchworm today and it's really very good - atleast pricewise...

Will layouting a single layer board of this be very hard ?

@blueroomelectronics
Why did you do a Dual layer ? Just to make it small and sexy ?

Added after 2 minutes:

blueroomelectronics said:

The software for the 3D drawings is Sketchup, search for the free Google version.

Click to expand...

@blueroomelectronics

Ahh.. but you did not say about the sprites/layouts you are using for the electronic components

Are they part of sketchup hmm

If you look around this site some people have posted a single layer version. I used a two sided because the price difference was very small.

I use Sprint Layout for the PCB design.

blueroomelectronics said:

PS here's an image of the insides of a real ICD2, it's the Cypress version (no 18F4550) so it's no faster or slower than any other serial ICD2

Click to expand...

Sorry, but i need to correct this. The Cypress chip is replaced with 18F4550, because it was no more available (Cypress has stopped it's production). So the ICD2 with the Cypress chip is no faster or slower than ICD2 with 18F4550.

I stand corrected (again) the Cypress CY7C64613 did indeed run the 16F877 is 8 bit PSP mode. That would make it a fast debugger.

blueroomelectronics said:

If you look around this site some people have posted a single layer version.

Click to expand...

I heard people were having problems with that board ? Is it true ?

Can you point me to a design of your board on this forum that you like ?

vsmGuy said:

I heard people were having problems with that board ? Is it true ?

Click to expand...

Simply because some people (including me!) is having problems with a manually soldered pcb for ICD2 clone , you need not have to assume that the PCB is problamatic in any way. I have read in this forum that it works ok for many people.

But.

I am doing this serial ICD for some special reasons related to my work. If your purpose is a good debugger for PIC do the 18F4550 version. Not too much complicated circuit I think. Some components have to sample from sourses.
After getting this inchworm corrected I am doing one 4550 version.

thanks
picstudent

I've not built any of the single sided versions. I had the double sided version made and they work perfectly. Here's the New Inchworm+
**broken link removed**

hi

What is the addition in Inchworm plus?

picstudent

@blueroomelectronics : I could not locate Inchworm Plus on your site - did I miss out ?

@picstudent : Can we discuss over email/chat about this problem you are facing

I rarely want to use the debugging feature - right now I want a serial programmer which can handle/program ALL PICs - atleast the ones which the ICD2 does.

Is Inchworm the right choice then ?

vsmGuy said:

I rarely want to use the debugging feature

Click to expand...

I wonder why is that So ?

right now I want a serial programmer which can handle/program ALL PICs - atleast the ones which the ICD2 does.

Click to expand...

For all practical purposes, I feel Inchworm is capable of what you will need for now.

picstudent

can meet after 7PM over messenger.

Picstudent said:

vsmGuy said:

I rarely want to use the debugging feature

Click to expand...

I wonder why is that So ?

Click to expand...

My applications are not so high end that I need to debug at runtime. Errors are apparent by manual inspection of code. The "bad errors" show themselves in a simulation session...

Errors which need an ICD is something I am looking at years from now... those would be advanced apps indeed.

Plus 2 sec/instruction is really too much of a wait.

My immediate needs right now is a serial programmer which can handle/program ALL PICs - atleast the ones which the ICD2 does.

Picstudent said:

can meet after 7PM over messenger.

Click to expand...

7PM IST it is then