programming PIC12F683 via USB

Thread Starter

magnet18

Joined Dec 22, 2010
1,227
I recently got a couple PIC12F683 uC's to play around with, and I now realize that all of the circuits I see to program use a serial port

does anyone know how I could program one with just USB?
from the datasheet (http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/41211D_.pdf)
it uses
+5V pin 1
GND pin 8
Vpp pin 4, programming voltage, I assume to put the device in programming mode?
clock, pin 6
data, pin 7

there has to be a way to program these for those of us that don't still have outdated serial ports on our computers

could anyone help?
this is for "in circuit programming", are their simpler ways or simpler circuits?

Thanks!
 

takao21203

Joined Apr 28, 2012
3,702
is there any chance an Ethernet to serial or a usb to serial would work?
Ethernet : NO

USB -> serial : NO. The USB frame frequency is 1mS however, serial port programmers need to control various lines directly with much higher frequency.

This is one reason, also the voltages are not right.

Serial port : YES. It is possible to build a simple programmer with a few diodes an resistors.

I have built a programmer for PIC 16f716, with 2x AAA batteries onboard and a simple dc/dc converter to generate 12 volts programming voltage. It is just a transistor and 2 coils.

The schematic is from the web however I modified it to use batteries.

I never used it in the end- only some PICs can be programmed. The newer PICs have different timing, and different voltages, so it would be a big mess to support them.

There are cheap PICKIT3 clones on eBay, and regular PICKIT3 costs 50 dollars or so.
 

tracecom

Joined Apr 16, 2010
3,944
I use a PICkit 2 and like it. I use it on a solderless breadboard with my own adapter design. http://www.ebay.com/itm/PIC-Solderl...500?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2332a4d4a4

On the other hand, it's pretty easy (and cheap) to add a serial port to most desktop computers. I added one to mine for free by using a card from an old box that was put out for trash. You probably know this, but it's easy to forget that sometimes "old" works too.
 

tshuck

Joined Oct 18, 2012
3,534
While I would say it is technically possible, it would require much more work (and probably money) than buying a $30 device that is known to work...
 

Thread Starter

magnet18

Joined Dec 22, 2010
1,227
Alrighty, looks like I'll just get the pickit since I'm planning on lots of projects in the future
Too bad I can't add a serial port to my laptop :p
I definitely don't want to pay $50, can anyone recommend a pickit 3 clone?
(Looking for a knockoff that's not also a ripoff ;))
 

Thread Starter

magnet18

Joined Dec 22, 2010
1,227
Tight budget? Then I would suggest something like this http://www.ti.com/ww/en/launchpad/msp430_head_usb.html
I looked into that, unfortunately they don't have much support for 8 pin devices, which is what I need at the moment

question about programming that I haven't read into yet, would the PIC's be programmable with the MSP 430 equipment?

I doubt it, but I don't know how standardized things are
 

t06afre

Joined May 11, 2009
5,934
I looked into that, unfortunately they don't have much support for 8 pin devices, which is what I need at the moment

question about programming that I haven't read into yet, would the PIC's be programmable with the MSP 430 equipment?

I doubt it, but I don't know how standardized things are
A MSP430 programmer will only work on a MSP430 series IC. Looked at ebay many offers a PICKIT or clones bundled with a ZIF socket. You do not really need the ZIF socket. It is only an extra cost factor.
This is an example of a lowcost PICKIT 2 clone. I think the member Mark77 use one of those. Not sure PICKIT 2 support your PIC though
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bid3-iCP02v...ultDomain_0&hash=item5af8405ff9#ht_4565wt_961
 

tracecom

Joined Apr 16, 2010
3,944
I don't know anything about the iCP02v2 programmer, but a PICkit 2 does work with the 12F683. The iCP02v2 programmer does have an ICSP feature, which is necessary for experimentation. It eliminates putting the PIC in a programmer, programming it, taking it out of the programmer, and putting it in a circuit, and repeating this every time you make a change in the code.

I don't know your budget, but for $50, you might be better off in the long run with this. http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/PG164130/PG164130-ND/2171224
 
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