Summary of A simple programmer for PIC microcontrollers
This article describes a simple, low-cost PIC microcontroller programmer designed for serial port connection. It supports various PIC16 series chips like the PIC16F84 and requires specific adapters for ICSP programming. The circuit uses standard components including voltage regulators, resistors, diodes, and capacitors, avoiding low-voltage programming support.
Parts used in A simple programmer for PIC microcontrollers:
- Two 5.1V Zener diodes (low Watt)
- One 10KΩ resistor (1/4 Watt)
- Two 4.7KΩ resistors (1/4 Watt)
- One 100μF electrolytic capacitor (16 Volts)
- One 100nF capacitor
- One 7805 voltage regulator
- One 1N4001 common diode
- One 270 Ohm resistor (1/4 Watt)
- One common green LED
- One 18 pin DIP socket
- One female 9 pin DSUB connector
- Male pin header (5 pins)
- One power jack
- A small piece of Veroboard
- Wire for connections
- Solder and soldering iron
Perhaps this circuit is the simplest programmer for PIC microcontrollers you can build. It is connected to serial port of your PC and it has a very similar design with the SI-Prog programmer for the AVR microcontrollers. With the help of adaptors you can extend the possibilities and program more PIC microcontrollers.
Notes
By default this programmer supports the micros: PIC16C8x, PIC16F8x (PIC16F83, PIC16F84, PIC16F84A), PIC16F62x (PIC16F627, PIC16F627A PIC16F628, PIC16F628A), PIC16F648A, PIC16F716 and generally any PIC microcontroller which has the same pinout, with the very well known PIC16F84. However, with the help of the adaptor, you will be able to program almost any PIC micro that supports the ICSP programming technique.
Keep in mind that the programmer is not supporting low voltage programming. So you must always leave the MCLR fuse selected.
USB to serial converters will not work with this programmer. Your motherboard must have build in serial ports. If it doesn’t then you can use PCI serial cards (for one serial port the cost is low).
Components
- Two Zener diodes at 5.1V (low Watt).
- One 10KΩ resistor (1/4 Watt).
- Two 4.7KΩ resistors (1/4 Watt).
- One 100μF electrolytic capacitor (16 Volts).
- One 100nF capacitor
- One 7805 voltage regulator (you don’t need any cooler).
- One 1N4001 common diode.
- One resistor of 270 Ohms (1/4 Watt).
- One common green LED.
- A 18 pin DIP socket (for the PIC16F84 type of micros).
- A female 9 pin DSUB connector (for PCB).
- Male pin header (5 pins. If you have one with more pins, just cut it).
- One power jack.
- A small piece of a Veroboard.
- Wire for connections.
- Solder and soldering iron.
For more detail: A simple programmer for PIC microcontrollers
- Which PIC microcontrollers does this programmer support by default?
The programmer supports PIC16C8x, PIC16F8x, PIC16F62x, PIC16F648A, PIC16F716, and any chip with the same pinout as the PIC16F84. - Can I use USB to serial converters with this programmer?
No, USB to serial converters will not work; the motherboard must have built-in serial ports or you must use PCI serial cards. - Does this programmer support low voltage programming?
No, the programmer does not support low voltage programming, so you must always leave the MCLR fuse selected. - How can I program PIC microcontrollers that are not listed in the default support list?
You can use adaptors to extend possibilities and program almost any PIC micro that supports the ICSP programming technique. - What type of voltage regulator is required for this project?
A 7805 voltage regulator is required, and no cooler is needed for it. - What kind of connector is used to connect the programmer to the PC?
A female 9 pin DSUB connector is used for the PCB connection to the PC serial port. - Is a heat sink necessary for the voltage regulator in this circuit?
No, you do not need any cooler for the 7805 voltage regulator.
