Basically, whenever I use a TQFP surface-mount microcontroller for a project, I always install it in my board with an ICSP programming header and program it in-circuit. But lets say I want to sell my design to someone else as a kit, and I want to send them a pre-programmed microcontroller.

In that case, what's the best way to program a TQFP micro (specifically, a Microchip PIC32MX micro) out-of-circuit so that I don't have to solder it to a board first? Is there some kind of special TQFP adapter or a special programmer or something? This won't be a large-scale production, just something I do at my workbench for hobby projects.

 

Hmm selling a kit with a TQFP not soldered in. Who are your customers/clients ? Not many hobbyist may have equipment for such soldering. The result is obvious. Your kits will get a bad reputation and not sell very much. Because they do not work

 

Hmm selling a kit with a TQFP not soldered in. Who are your customers/clients ? Not many hobbyist may have equipment for such soldering. The result is obvious. Your kits will get a bad reputation and not sell very much. Because they do not work

I'm sorry but that doesn't even address my question and thus, isn't very helpful. I'm using the word "kit" loosely here - just assume the people ordering this "kit" are also skilled solderers, and know how to solder a TQFP (which isn't hard at all, btw). I didn't ask questions about how not to get a bad reputation, I just want to know the cheapest way to program a TQFP without soldering it. Right now it looks like a TQFP socket adapter is the way to go, but those are fairly expensive and I was hoping for something cheaper.

 

I'm think adapter is about the only way to go.

How much are you seeing them for? I was looking for some adapters that would take little ICs like TSSOPs, QFNs, and QFPs to DIP and I kept seeing $100 or so for the QFNs.

 

For a socket-style adapter that can be loaded/unloaded I really can't find anything for less than 100. Most things I find are specifically for Atmel products and are usually more expensive. I did find one ebay auction that was selling a generic TQFP64 adapter for 70.

Usually companies will just send their hex file(s) to Microchip and order pre-programmed ICs, but I'm not doing anything large-scale like that. Just wondering if there was another option I didn't know about.