Pic Programming

[cakeez]

Just got my Pickit2 in the mail today. Realized I bout the debug version instead of the Starter Kit. So where do I go from here? I want to program my own but need some help getting started. Is there a board that I can buy that will be setup to program both the SSR4's and Express chips? or do I need multiple boards? Kind of new to everything, but I write computer apps for a living, never had to write my code to a chip before though.

Thanks,
Chuck

[rrowan]

You really don't need the starter kit to program pics. What you need is the boards to put the pics in to program them.

The dongle and SSR4 pics i.e.: pic18f2450 (dongle) and pic18f1220 (ssr4) need programmer boards. The Express does not need one unless you really want one.

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You could get the whole kit of boards or just one that fits the two pics I listed above. Beware that the etherdongle requires the pickit3 since the pickit2 doesn't support that pic.

Hope that helps

Rick R.

[sadkisson]

i purchased a pickit3 it came with a board but to be honest i have no idea what chip fits into what board.  i do see that most of the new lynx kits have icsp clips already on the board them selves so no need for a programming board im assuming.  i do plan on getting some ssr4 kits eventually tho.  it would be nice to have icsp clips on all lynx equipment just for the fact all one would need then is a pickit3

[rrowan]

i purchased a pickit3 it came with a board but to be honest i have no idea what chip fits into what board.  i do see that most of the new lynx kits have icsp clips already on the board them selves so no need for a programming board im assuming.  i do plan on getting some ssr4 kits eventually tho.  it would be nice to have icsp clips on all lynx equipment just for the fact all one would need then is a pickit3

Little history lesson on Lynx hardware. All Lynx hardware before the LE v3 came out don't have the ICSP on board. This means you need a programming board for the following hardware (usb dongle, lynx controller, freestyle, ssr4-dmx, mr-16, LE v2). Without a major board redesign they will most likely never have the onboard ICSP.

All hardware since the LE v3 came out that and has a pic on it will include the ICSP. Which means you don't need a separate programming board to program/flash the pic. Of course if you are inclined to do so that is your call.

ICSP  = In Circuit Serial Port
pic = Microchip MicroController

I hope that clears up some info.

Cheers

Rick R.

[cakeez]

you are all more than helpful. I will be ordering the boards tomorrow. Thanks for all the help.

Are there any tricks or gotcha's that I should know?

[rrowan]

Not really, those boards require you to set jumpers for different versions of the pic. Like one pic will be all pins set to jumper W another will be to L. That site shows what is needed.

Rick R.