Post by thread:[PIC]: PIC Programmer Preferences

I'm getting started in to a project where I will be using the PIC16C620A, and the PIC16C505. I unfortunately purchased the Microchip PICDEM2 Plus and the MPLAB ICD 2, but after further investigation I've found that the PICDEM2 can't program either of those PICs. So far my search has lead me to either the: - David Tate Serial programmer (free, but requires assembly) http://www.ic-prog.com/upplow.gif, - or the WARP-13 ($108) http://www.dontronics.com/newfound.html Any opinions? Or is there another better option I'm missing? Thanks. Richard Zinn -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

Hi Richard, Are you really locked into those specific PICs for some reason? There are superior new PICs with the same footprint, Flash program memory, etc. at the same or lower prices... PIC16C620A vs. PIC16F627A - The F627A is in the same sub-family, but is a much newer Flash part. More of everything at essentially the same price. (Maybe less, depending on the clock speed and temperature range you need -- since the base 16F627A includes 20 MHz and industrial temperature ratings.) PIC16C505 vs. PIC16F630 - Again, The 16F630 is much better: Flash memory, mid-range 14-bit core vs. old 12-bit core, EEPROM, and a similar or slightly lower price. I believe that both can be programmed by the ICD2, but don't have the current list of supported devices in front of me at the moment. Randy http://www.glitchbuster.com {Original Message removed}

> So far my search has lead me to either the: > - David Tate Serial programmer (free, but requires assembly) > http://www.ic-prog.com/upplow.gif, > - or the WARP-13 ($108) http://www.dontronics.com/newfound.html I am building a Wisp628, see http://www.voti.nl/wisp628/index.html, for what it's worth. Haven't used it yet... Adi -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

> I am building a Wisp628, see > http://www.voti.nl/wisp628/index.html, for > what it's worth. > Haven't used it yet... That is of course a good programmer ;) but it won't help the OP unless he switches to flash chips. Wouter van Ooijen -- ------------------------------------------- Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: http://www.voti.nl consultancy, development, PICmicro products -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email spam_OUTlistservTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

> Any opinions? Or is there another better option I'm missing? Ditching those EPROM chips and using a flash chip(s)? Wouter van Ooijen -- ------------------------------------------- Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: http://www.voti.nl consultancy, development, PICmicro products -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email .....listservKILLspam@spam@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

> New to PICs, so forgive the ignoarance. read http://www.voti.nl/swp there is a start of a FAQ at http://www.voti.nl/picfaq Wouter van Ooijen -- ------------------------------------------- Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: http://www.voti.nl consultancy, development, PICmicro products -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email .....listservKILLspam.....mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

I've been using an EPIC for awhile. It has been working good for me. I've been thinking about this one: www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/prog/ck1710.htm. USB is the way to go. I'm gettin tired of swapin serial and parallel devices. Steve {Quote hidden}> > So far my search has lead me to either the: > > - David Tate Serial programmer (free, but requires assembly) > > http://www.ic-prog.com/upplow.gif, > > - or the WARP-13 ($108) http://www.dontronics.com/newfound.html > > I am building a Wisp628, see http://www.voti.nl/wisp628/index.html, for > what it's worth. Haven't used it yet... > > Adi > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different > ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email EraseMElistservspam_OUTTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

Both EPROM and flash can be programmed, erased, re-programmed...and so on. The big difference is that EPROMs must be erased with UV light - a task which can easily take 20-30 minutes, or even more. Flash, on the other hand, can be electrically erased in microseconds, allowing for rapid application development. Cheers, Ishaan ----- Original Message ----- From: "Keith L. Kovala" <klkspam_OUTKSU.EDU> To: <@spam@PICLISTKILLspamMITVMA.MIT.EDU> Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 01:28 Subject: Re: [PIC]: PIC Programmer Preferences - which should I get? > New to PICs, so forgive the ignoarance. EPROM chips and flash chips? Ok, > this is a new one by me. Is there an easy way to discern the difference > between the two? And why do you prefer flash ones? > > Keith L. Kovala > KILLspamklkKILLspamksu.edu > > > > {Original Message removed}

> New to PICs, so forgive the ignoarance. EPROM chips and flash chips? > Ok, this is a new one by me. Is there an easy way to discern the > difference between the two? And why do you prefer flash ones? This refers to how the program memory is implemented. Older PICs were OTP (one time programmable). For prototyping, you had to get a special version with a quartz window that allowed the program memory to be erased with UV light. These are sometimes referred to as the JW versions because that was the package suffix in most cases. All newer PICs have flash program memory. That means it can be electrically erased and re-written at least 1000 times over the PICs lifetime. ***************************************************************** Embed Inc, embedded system specialists in Littleton Massachusetts (978) 742-9014, http://www.embedinc.com -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email RemoveMElistservTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

> That is of course a good programmer ;) but it won't help the OP unless > he switches to flash chips. The Wisp628 doesn't support Eprom chips? I programmed Eprom chips using the ICSP method in the past... Adi -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email spamBeGonelistservspamBeGonemitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

Are you getting the drift? Use FLASH if you can... I personally use a WARP-13. It's been great, except for one little blip when I tried to ICSP a 16F819, and that's been resolved. I've also heard good things about the WISP, and it's a bit cheaper IIRC. My understanding is that it also places a higher priority on the ICSP, and for the WARP-13, that's kind of a "bonus"- not *truly* what the header was intended for. Mike H. {Quote hidden}>From: Richard Zinn <TakeThisOuTrzinnEraseMEspam_OUTOMNITURE.COM> >I'm getting started in to a project where I will be using the PIC16C620A, >and the PIC16C505. I unfortunately purchased the Microchip PICDEM2 Plus >and >the MPLAB ICD 2, but after further investigation I've found that the >PICDEM2 >can't program either of those PICs. > >So far my search has lead me to either the: > - David Tate Serial programmer (free, but requires assembly) >http://www.ic-prog.com/upplow.gif, > - or the WARP-13 ($108) http://www.dontronics.com/newfound.html > >Any opinions? Or is there another better option I'm missing? > >Thanks. >Richard Zinn > > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. _________________________________________________________________ Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email RemoveMElistservTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

> The Wisp628 doesn't support Eprom chips? correct > I programmed Eprom chips using > the ICSP method in the past... I won't deny that. Wisp628 uses a diode-capacitor charge pump to generate Vpp. This provides sufficinet current to get a flash chip into programming mode, but much less current than required by EPROM programming. The EPROM chips use Vppto power the programming, the flash chips use it to enable programming (powered from the +5V). Wouter van Ooijen -- ------------------------------------------- Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: http://www.voti.nl consultancy, development, PICmicro products -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listservEraseME.....mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

> I personally use a WARP-13. > I've also heard good things about the WISP Make that Wisp628, there is also a WISP but that is an obsolete design. To compare the two: the WARP-13 is ~ 3 times the price of a Wisp628 but can be used with a ZIF socket (Wisp628 would at least require a separate 5 V power), and programs many more chips (EPROM PICs, and even non-uChip). The Wisp628 is very much an open design: everything is available for DIY. Wouter van Ooijen -- ------------------------------------------- Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: http://www.voti.nl consultancy, development, PICmicro products -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email EraseMElistservmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body