MCU programmer question

Thread Starter

poison3000

Joined Oct 3, 2010
22
hello people ...

after 3 weeks of reading studying MCUs , downloading huge library of development IDEs, simulations , studying C ( ... again) and assembly .. the moment of truth finally comes !!!

I used MikroC compiler for its simplicity, impressive documentation, the extensive online resources provided by their web ... its lovely !!

I used its debugger , my software is perfect .. finally !!!

I used Proteus 6 ( or called ISIS6 u will love this software, massive library !! ) to simulate the MCU , I took the .hex file from mikroC and add it to the MCU in the simulation , connected few LEDs and stepper motors , the system run perfectly !!!!

I am living a nice dream ... until I decided to start realizing the project , I needed up with a nightmare !

I do not have any sort of experience with Programmers of MCU, I searched the web and specifically microship.com , prices are ridiculous some times.

Now, I need some help about the programmers. if the .hex file is compiled and ready using mikroC, will I have to change some syntax and re-compile my program becoz the programmer Im willing to use is supporting MPLAB ?

I want to buy this programmer http://www.microchipdirect.com/ProductSearch.aspx?Keywords=DM180021
will i need to change my program so it will suit MBLAP and its kit ??

by the way, is this programmer good ? do u have any other suggestion on the range of that price ??

the MCU i am willing to use is PIC18F452 .. just in case if u want to suggest alternative programmer
 

spinnaker

Joined Oct 29, 2009
7,830
Yeah I am not exactly sure what Microchip's thinking was here with the product the OP posted. Seems just about useless to me. And it just adds to product confusion.
 

maxpower097

Joined Feb 20, 2009
816
Its the MBA kids. They figure they can get an easy $60 out of a newb before he realizes he can just buy a programmer that programs all the chips for cheaper.
 

t06afre

Joined May 11, 2009
5,934
From that I can see. That "thing" have no external IO lines that can be used as general purpose IO lines. It is complete useless. If you want to learn how to program. Do not waste your money on this one
 

maxpower097

Joined Feb 20, 2009
816
Best bet IMHO is to get a PK2 or PK3 knock off or real deal. Then either breadboard out chips, buy el cheapo dev boards for the chip you want to use, or buy one of the large multi chip boards like EasyPic5 or 6. Pk3 is a great little setup to start with. Then you can decide if you want to go 8 bit or play with the big dawgs on the 24 and 32bit side.
 

Markd77

Joined Sep 7, 2009
2,806
What are MBA kids? Maldives Basketball Association?

I'm happy with my PICKIT2 clone, I think it programs pretty much everything, but best check.
 

t06afre

Joined May 11, 2009
5,934
What are MBA kids? Maldives Basketball Association?

I'm happy with my PICKIT2 clone, I think it programs pretty much everything, but best check.
PICKIT 2 will not support newer chips from Microchip. But I think this really do not matter for the hobbyist. You can still pick up PICKIT units quite cheap. You will probably wear it out before you will have problem with it being obsolete.
This is a link to the PICkit 2 Device Support. Note it will not support debugging without a "header" on most 16fxxx devices. But then use a 18fxxx chip.
http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en027813
 

maxpower097

Joined Feb 20, 2009
816
You'll see the PK2 become more and more obsolete. I've had many talks with the PK3 software developer and he's a really cool guy. He's almost got the pk3 to where the pk2 was. So once thats done its just gonna get better and better. Or if you wanna spend some real cash you can pick up an ICD3 on ebay for around $100-$120, or if you want the cannon get the Realice. My company bought me one then gave it to another outsource developer the poured some suger in their ear. So he got it and dissapeared shortly after.
 

Markd77

Joined Sep 7, 2009
2,806
Maldives Basketball Association was the first suggestion of Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBA_(disambiguation)
I still don't know what it means.

I suppose Pickit3 should be the recommmendation for new users, it will be better supported in future.
They have recently updated Pickit 2 files for the PIC16F18xx and PIC16F19xx devices which are very new.
 

t06afre

Joined May 11, 2009
5,934
Maldives Basketball Association was the first suggestion of Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBA_%28disambiguation%29
I still don't know what it means.

I suppose Pickit3 should be the recommmendation for new users, it will be better supported in future.
They have recently updated Pickit 2 files for the PIC16F18xx and PIC16F19xx devices which are very new.
MBA=Master of Business Administration. It is a university degree.
 

Kermit2

Joined Feb 5, 2010
4,162
The pickit3 also supports Windows Vista/7(64 bit)

I recently purchased the unit with the low pin count dev. board. I love it already and an still trying to decipher the user manual. :)
 

Thread Starter

poison3000

Joined Oct 3, 2010
22
LOL people ..


I never had my hands on PIC programmer before ... I just want to make sure my programmer will work perfectly to program the PIC18F452 DIP package (40 pins) ( link to it http://www.microchipdirect.com/ProductSearch.aspx?Keywords=PIC18F452-I/P ) ..

what I understand , if u have a .hex file up and ready, all u need is simply a device to transfer that file to ur microcontroller !!

from this point of view , I ended up with these two options .. which one should I choose :

http://www.microchipdirect.com/ProductSearch.aspx?Keywords=DM180021

option two :

http://www.microchipdirect.com/ProductSearch.aspx?Keywords=DV164131

...

I would go for the ICD3 , but its really expensive compared to the two options above ..
 

t06afre

Joined May 11, 2009
5,934
Please forget the MPLAB Starter Kit for PIC18F MCU. This looks more to me like some flashy flimflam. Get a proper programmer ;)
EDIT: I am not sure that MPLAB Starter Kit, are able to program/debug other than the onborad MCU
 
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