Serial port PIC Programmer

vsmGuy said:

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.

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I bet you will regret about these statements after having an ICD2.

picstudent

I have just completed a single-sided pcb design for the Inchworm. Getting professional PCB's made here (South Africa) is horrifically expensive, hence my decision to design my own. It's being verified at the moment and I'll probably make the first one this coming weekend.

I am an "old school" pcb designer (old enough to have designed the layouts on graph paper, then transfer with pen and ink to 4x full size artwork on a manual drawing baord!) so I haven't bothered with PCB software. I use AutoCAD with an extensive block library that I have developed. It works for me!

If anyone wants a closer look at the pcb I have developed (along with a satellite baord with programming sockets) let me know. I'll upload pdf files.

Azaruk said:

If anyone wants a closer look at the pcb I have developed (along with a satellite baord with programming sockets) let me know. I'll upload pdf files.

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I am very much interested especially in that satellite board with programing sockets.I was thinking about such a add on.

Will be very helpfull if you can upload the layouts in PDF format.

Thanks a lot.

Picstudent said:

hi

What is the addition in Inchworm plus?

picstudent

Click to expand...

The two switches (or jumpers) on the top, the 40pin IDC connector under the PIC, the additional P-FET for power switching... It can be built like the original too.

It's not yet on the site as I'm completing the documentation, it's a good platform if you want to attempt a 18F4550 mod (the IDC connector)

Added after 9 minutes:

vsmGuy said:

Picstudent said:

vsmGuy said:

I rarely want to use the debugging feature

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I wonder why is that So ?

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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.

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The debugger runs realtime (full speed) normally, it only takes 2sec when animated or per step. That what breakpoints are for, it'll run at whatever clock you have, you set a breakpoint, it'll stop and you can view/modify every single register (RAM, SFR) & EEPROM too. You can continue, reprogram or reset...
The ONLY better way is a true ICE $$$$ (no I/O pin loss and very fast)

The Inchworm is actually simpler in design that most end projects... After all it's just a tool and I use it almost everyday and I have an ICE. I'm using it to debug Cricket (Communicating thermostat) 16F886, RS485,232,XBee I2C temperature sensor, CDS (light sensor) 2 or 3 digit, iButton support, RTC (32KHz in software with power fail supercap), single relay with switch(s) for H/C/F just like most thermostats.

Will cost about the same as a regular thermostat

And the Inchworm is a great programmer, fast, up to date (MPLAB updates the firmware whenever new stuff comes out) and it'll program any Flash 5V tolerant PIC that the real ICD2 does.

And the design of the Inchworm has been freely given to members of this board. An incredibly generous gesture. Not only that - but if you have a problem the designer helps you too!

I looked at many different programmer options, but when I ws offered the Inchworm project, with all the help, I looked no further. Everything I have heard about this device has been excellent. I'm looking forward to seeing the next iteration of this device.

The Inchworm is then free of any vendor dependency except Microchip .. right ?

It can't do 3.3v devices and the debugging is like any RS232 clone.. but it's FUNCTIONALLY equivalent to the latest ICD2 right ?

vsmGuy said:

The Inchworm is then free of any vendor dependency except Microchip .. right ?

It can't do 3.3v devices and the debugging is like any RS232 clone.. but it's FUNCTIONALLY equivalent to the latest ICD2 right ?

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Correct. The lack of an output buffer limits it to 5V. MPLAB is all you need, an ICD2 will often program chips before they are available (IE the 16F886 was available before the chip was)
IMHO it's the best under $50 PIC programmer available anywhere.

Added after 7 minutes:

Azaruk said:

And the design of the Inchworm has been freely given to members of this board. An incredibly generous gesture. Not only that - but if you have a problem the designer helps you too!

I looked at many different programmer options, but when I ws offered the Inchworm project, with all the help, I looked no further. Everything I have heard about this device has been excellent. I'm looking forward to seeing the next iteration of this device.

Click to expand...

Thank you, I don't give away the PCB layout (I sell the kits) but it's cool how many people have copied the copy of a copy... The manual contains everything you should need to build one, should only take an hour or so to hand wire. I've been asked to sell the new Inchworm+ design in bare PCB version for $17.50 CDn Sounds reasonable to me.
**broken link removed**

Inchworm (based on) the Lothar Stolz design which is based on the Microchip ICD2 design. Even the October 2006 Elektor has an ICD2 clone published now.

I would be interested in knowing more about the Inchworm plus.

Hurry up !

Check out this link for serial port pic programmer
Microcontroller Projects: Microchip PIC Serial Port Programmer