PICkit 2 Introduction:
There are many PIC programmer available, commercial and DIY devices. As Microchip introduces the new microprocessors the programming software got to be updated accordingly playing catch-up with the PIC manufacturer. That is the root of the problem with third-party PIC programmers. Microchip’s PICkit 2 is the low cost ICSP programmer for Flash PICs with USB interface introduced by Microchip. Only subset of PIC microcontrollers is supported, but the list is including all the recent devices from PIC16, PIC18 and PIC24 families and certainly covers all the PICs you are most likely want to use. It is fully integrated with Microchip’s MPLAB IDE and allow not only program but debug applications as well. As alternative you can use the standalone programmer applet, see picture below.
ICSP Pinout
The pin-out for Microchip standard 6-pin connector for In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) is listed in table below:
Pin | Function |
1 | _MCLR/Vpp (programming voltage) |
2 | Vcc(+5V) |
3 | GND |
4 | Data |
5 | Clock |
6 | LVP (low-voltage programming mode control) |
Pickit 2 Schematic / Circuit Diagram:
DIY Guide to Build PICkit 2
PICkit 2 was originally built by Microchip as open design programmer with the schematic, source code and firmware available to boost the popularity of the PIC devices. Because of that it is easy to build a clone version of the original device. Most of the clones will produce unregulated 5 volt VPP where the original Microchip PICkit 2 provides adjustable VPP output to allow 3.3 and 2.5 volt parts programming. The schematic I have used is based on the original PICkit 2 without programmer-to-go functionality. That functionality allowing a hex file to be downloaded to the PICkit 2 to later program PIC microcontrollers without a PC with a simple pressing programmer’s push button. I do not think that functionality is required for a hobbyist but allows simplify the schematic by omitting two 24C512 EEPROM chips.
PICkit 2 Programmer Software
The PICkit 2 has USB bootloader and capable of updating the programmer firmware directly from Microchip web site. Every time the PICkit 2 programmer application is launched, it will check the firmware version of the PICkit 2 to see if it is the latest version. If not, it will attempt to automatically download the latest version. The software upgrades are free and Microchip updates them in timely fashion. Even more, the firmware and schematic are freely available. Apparently Microchip has made the open design intentionally, see it as the way to boost using the popularity PIC microprocessors. With such simplicity of design it is easy to build a clone version. The Sure Electronics is making a good clone and it comes with ICSP cables, see the Products page. My first PIC programmer was Melabs EPIC device with parallel port interface. After upgrading my PC I have realized that parallel port became legacy these days, as the most of new PC motherboards do not have it all. The another annoying part about Melabs programmers in general is that even if you buy the full package (hardware + software) upgrades are not free and only beta stuff available for download. I have successfully burned all my PIC18 and PIC24 chips using PICkit 2 and would definitely recommend it. PICkit 2 v2.61
Pickit 2 PCB File
The Eagle Files designed using only thru-hole mounting parts.
Pickit 2 Firmware / Hex file
Building PICKit 2 clone is facing a chicken-egg problem as another programmer is required to program the firmware into the PIC18F2550. Once the PIC18F2550 chip for PICKit 2 is programmed, you can the upgrade the firmware as it includes USB bootloader. The latest PICkit 2 firmware version is available from Microchip and the current version is also is available on the site – click here to download!
Pickit ii Parts List
The DIY PICkit 2 part list for the two the most popular electronic components vendors, Mouser and DigiKey is shown below.
Setting Unit ID
The programmer can be assigned a Unit ID to identify it uniquely. After the fresh firmware programming the device applet is always showing the funny ID
“ID= OIHoss”. It could be reset to not-assigned or set to any value by selecting “Tools>Calibrate VDD & Set Unit ID” menu, see picture below.
Calibration
Calibration allows greater the VDD voltage accuracy. Note that as the calibration is dependent on the USB voltage and moving the PICkit 2 unit to a different USB port, to or from a USB hub or to another computer port may invalidate the calibration. To calibrate the PICkit 2 unit, a digital multi-meter is required. Disconnect the PICkit 2 unit from the target and select “Tools>Calibrate VDD & Set Unit ID”. to bring up the calibration wizard. Follow the steps in the wizard to complete the calibration process.
Troubleshooting DIY PICkit2 assembly
You can use “Tools->Troubleshoot” menu to help with resolving connectivity from the PICkit 2 to the target device. This is also useful where there are the device assembling errors, as providing step-by-step output validation process.
Pickit 2 Supported device list:
================================================================= = NOTE: This list shows support for the PICkit 2 Programmer = = software application. It does not show support for using the = = PICkit 2 within MPLAB IDE. For a list of MPLAB supported = = parts, see the MPLAB IDE PICkit 2 Readme. = = (Typically in C:\Program Files\Microchip\MPLAB IDE\Readmes) = ================================================================= * Indicates new parts supported in this release with v1.61 of the device file. + Indicates parts that require 4.75V minimum VDD for programming. PICkit 2 may not be able to generate sufficiently high VDD, so an external 5.0v power supply may be required. # indicates Midrange parts that support low Vdd programming Baseline Devices ---------------- PIC10F200 PIC10F202 PIC10F204 PIC10F206 PIC10F220 PIC10F222 PIC12F508 PIC12F509 PIC12F510 PIC12F519 PIC16F505 PIC16F506 PIC16F526 PIC16F54 PIC16F57 PIC16F59 Midrange/Standard Devices ---------------- >> All 'LF' versions of devices are supported PIC12F609 PIC12HV609 PIC12F615 PIC12HV615 PIC12F629 PIC12F635# PIC12F675 PIC12F683# PIC16F610 PIC16HV610 PIC16F616 PIC16HV616 PIC16F627 PIC16F628 PIC16F639 PIC16F627A PIC16F628A PIC16F648A PIC16F630 PIC16F631 PIC16F636# PIC16F676 PIC16F677 PIC16F684# PIC16F685# PIC16F687# PIC16F688# PIC16F689# PIC16F690# PIC16F72+ PIC16F73+ PIC16F74+ PIC16F76+ PIC16F77+ PIC16F716 PIC16F737+ PIC16F747+ PIC16F767+ PIC16F777+ PIC16F785 PIC16HV785 PIC16F84A PIC16F87# PIC16F88# PIC16F818# PIC16F819# PIC16F870 PIC16F871 PIC16F872 PIC16F873 PIC16F874 PIC16F876 PIC16F877 PIC16F873A PIC16F874A PIC16F876A PIC16F877A PIC16F882# PIC16F883# PIC16F884# PIC16F886# PIC16F887# PIC16F913# PIC16F914# PIC16F916# PIC16F917# PIC16F946# Midrange/1.8V Min Devices ---------------- PIC16F722 PIC16LF722 PIC16F723 PIC16LF723 PIC16F724 PIC16LF724 PIC16F726 PIC16LF726 PIC16F727 PIC16LF727 PIC16F1933 PIC16F1934 PIC16F1936 PIC16F1937 PIC16F1938 PIC16F1939 PIC16LF1933 PIC16LF1934 PIC16LF1936 PIC16LF1937 PIC16LF1938 PIC16LF1939 PIC18F Devices -------------- >> All 'LF' versions of devices are supported PIC18F242 PIC18F252 PIC18F442 PIC18F452 PIC18F248 PIC18F258 PIC18F448 PIC18F458 PIC18F1220 PIC18F1320 PIC18F2220 PIC18F1230 PIC18F1330 PIC18F1330-ICD PIC18F2221 PIC18F2320 PIC18F2321 PIC18F2331 PIC18F2410 PIC18F2420 PIC18F2423 PIC18F2431 PIC18F2450 PIC18F2455 PIC18F2458 PIC18F2480 PIC18F2510 PIC18F2515 PIC18F2520 PIC18F2523 PIC18F2525 PIC18F2550 PIC18F2553 PIC18F2580 PIC18F2585 PIC18F2610 PIC18F2620 PIC18F2680 PIC18F2682 PIC18F2685 PIC18F4220 PIC18F4221 PIC18F4320 PIC18F4321 PIC18F4331 PIC18F4410 PIC18F4420 PIC18F4423 PIC18F4431 PIC18F4450 PIC18F4455 PIC18F4458 PIC18F4480 PIC18F4510 PIC18F4515 PIC18F4520 PIC18F4523 PIC18F4525 PIC18F4550 PIC18F4553 PIC18F4580 PIC18F4585 PIC18F4610 PIC18F4620 PIC18F4680 PIC18F4682 PIC18F4685 PIC18F6310 PIC18F6390 PIC18F6393 PIC18F6410 PIC18F6490 PIC18F6493 PIC18F6520 PIC18F6525 PIC18F6527 PIC18F6585 PIC18F6620 PIC18F6621 PIC18F6622 PIC18F6627 PIC18F6628 PIC18F6680 PIC18F6720 PIC18F6722 PIC18F6723 PIC18F8310 PIC18F8390 PIC18F8393 PIC18F8410 PIC18F8490 PIC18F8493 PIC18F8520 PIC18F8525 PIC18F8527 PIC18F8585 PIC18F8620 PIC18F8621 PIC18F8622 PIC18F8627 PIC18F8628 PIC18F8680 PIC18F8720 PIC18F8722 PIC18F8723 PIC18F_J_ Devices ----------------- PIC18F24J10 PIC18LF24J10 PIC18F24J11 PIC18LF24J11 PIC18F24J50 PIC18LF24J50 PIC18F25J10 PIC18LF25J10 PIC18F25J11 PIC18LF25J11 PIC18F25J50 PIC18LF25J50 PIC18F26J11 PIC18LF26J11 PIC18F26J50 PIC18LF26J50 PIC18F44J10 PIC18LF44J10 PIC18F44J11 PIC18LF44J11 PIC18F44J50 PIC18LF44J50 PIC18F45J10 PIC18LF45J10 PIC18F45J11 PIC18LF45J11 PIC18F45J50 PIC18LF45J50 PIC18F46J11 PIC18LF46J11 PIC18F46J50 PIC18LF46J50 PIC18F63J11 PIC18F63J90 PIC18F64J11 PIC18F64J90 PIC18F65J10 PIC18F65J11 PIC18F65J15 PIC18F65J50 PIC18F65J90 PIC18F66J10 PIC18F66J11 PIC18F66J15 PIC18F66J16 PIC18F66J50 PIC18F66J55 PIC18F66J60 PIC18F66J65 PIC18F66J90 PIC18F67J10 PIC18F67J11 PIC18F67J50 PIC18F67J60 PIC18F67J90 PIC18F83J11 PIC18F83J90 PIC18F84J11 PIC18F84J90 PIC18F85J10 PIC18F85J11 PIC18F85J15 PIC18F85J50 PIC18F85J90 PIC18F86J10 PIC18F86J11 PIC18F86J15 PIC18F86J16 PIC18F86J50 PIC18F86J55 PIC18F86J60 PIC18F86J65 PIC18F86J90 PIC18F87J10 PIC18F87J11 PIC18F87J50 PIC18F87J60 PIC18F87J90 PIC18F96J60 PIC18F96J65 PIC18F97J60 PIC18F_K_ Devices ----------------- PIC18F13K22 PIC18LF13K22 PIC18F14K22 PIC18LF14K22 PIC18F13K50 PIC18LF13K50 PIC18F14K50 PIC18LF14K50 PIC18F14K50-ICD PIC18F23K20 PIC18F24K20 PIC18F25K20 PIC18F26K20 PIC18F43K20 PIC18F44K20 PIC18F45K20 PIC18F46K20 PIC24 Devices ------------- PIC24F04KA200 PIC24F04KA201 PIC24F08KA101 PIC24F08KA102 PIC24F16KA101 PIC24F16KA102 NOTE: To program PIC24F-KA- devices with MCLR used as IO, Tools > Use High Voltage Program Entry must be enabled. PIC24FJ16GA002 PIC24FJ16GA004 PIC24FJ32GA002 PIC24FJ32GA004 PIC24FJ32GA102 PIC24FJ32GA104 PIC24FJ48GA002 PIC24FJ48GA004 PIC24FJ64GA002 PIC24FJ64GA004 PIC24FJ64GA102 PIC24FJ64GA104 PIC24FJ64GA006 PIC24FJ64GA008 PIC24FJ64GA010 PIC24FJ96GA006 PIC24FJ96GA008 PIC24FJ96GA010 PIC24FJ128GA006 PIC24FJ128GA008 PIC24FJ128GA010 PIC24FJ128GA106 PIC24FJ128GA108 PIC24FJ128GA110 PIC24FJ192GA106 PIC24FJ192GA108 PIC24FJ192GA110 PIC24FJ256GA106 PIC24FJ256GA108 PIC24FJ256GA110 PIC24FJ32GB002 PIC24FJ32GB004 PIC24FJ64GB002 PIC24FJ64GB004 PIC24FJ64GB106 PIC24FJ64GB108 PIC24FJ64GB110 PIC24FJ128GB106 PIC24FJ128GB108 PIC24FJ128GB110 PIC24FJ192GB106 PIC24FJ192GB108 PIC24FJ192GB110 PIC24FJ256GB106 PIC24FJ256GB108 PIC24FJ256GB110 PIC24HJ12GP201 PIC24HJ12GP202 PIC24HJ16GP304 PIC24HJ32GP202 PIC24HJ32GP204 PIC24HJ32GP302 PIC24HJ32GP304 PIC24HJ64GP202 PIC24HJ64GP204 PIC24HJ64GP206 PIC24HJ64GP210 PIC24HJ64GP502 PIC24HJ64GP504 PIC24HJ64GP506 PIC24HJ64GP510 PIC24HJ128GP202 PIC24HJ128GP204 PIC24HJ128GP206 PIC24HJ128GP210 PIC24HJ128GP306 PIC24HJ128GP310 PIC24HJ128GP502 PIC24HJ128GP504 PIC24HJ128GP506 PIC24HJ128GP510 PIC24HJ256GP206 PIC24HJ256GP210 PIC24HJ256GP610 dsPIC33 Devices --------------- dsPIC33FJ06GS101 dsPIC33FJ06GS102 dsPIC33FJ06GS202 dsPIC33FJ16GS402 dsPIC33FJ16GS404 dsPIC33FJ16GS502 dsPIC33FJ16GS504 dsPIC33FJ12GP201 dsPIC33FJ12GP202 dsPIC33FJ16GP304 dsPIC33FJ32GP202 dsPIC33FJ32GP204 dsPIC33FJ32GP302 dsPIC33FJ32GP304 dsPIC33FJ64GP202 dsPIC33FJ64GP204 dsPIC33FJ64GP206 dsPIC33FJ64GP306 dsPIC33FJ64GP310 dsPIC33FJ64GP706 dsPIC33FJ64GP708 dsPIC33FJ64GP710 dsPIC33FJ64GP802 dsPIC33FJ64GP804 dsPIC33FJ128GP202 dsPIC33FJ128GP204 dsPIC33FJ128GP206 dsPIC33FJ128GP306 dsPIC33FJ128GP310 dsPIC33FJ128GP706 dsPIC33FJ128GP708 dsPIC33FJ128GP710 dsPIC33FJ256GP506 dsPIC33FJ256GP510 dsPIC33FJ256GP710 dsPIC33FJ128GP802 dsPIC33FJ128GP804 dsPIC33FJ12MC201 dsPIC33FJ12MC202 dsPIC33FJ16MC304 dsPIC33FJ32MC202 dsPIC33FJ32MC204 dsPIC33FJ32MC302 dsPIC33FJ32MC304 dsPIC33FJ64MC202 dsPIC33FJ64MC204 dsPIC33FJ64MC506 dsPIC33FJ64MC508 dsPIC33FJ64MC510 dsPIC33FJ64MC706 dsPIC33FJ64MC710 dsPIC33FJ64MC802 dsPIC33FJ64MC804 dsPIC33FJ128MC202 dsPIC33FJ128MC204 dsPIC33FJ128MC506 dsPIC33FJ128MC510 dsPIC33FJ128MC706 dsPIC33FJ128MC708 dsPIC33FJ128MC710 dsPIC33FJ256MC510 dsPIC33FJ256MC710 dsPIC33FJ128MC802 dsPIC33FJ128MC804 dsPIC30 Devices --------------- dsPIC30F2010 dsPIC30F2011 dsPIC30F2012 dsPIC30F3010 dsPIC30F3011 dsPIC30F3012 dsPIC30F3013 dsPIC30F3014 dsPIC30F4011 dsPIC30F4012 dsPIC30F4013 dsPIC30F5011^ dsPIC30F5013^ dsPIC30F5015 dsPIC30F5016 dsPIC30F6010A dsPIC30F6011A dsPIC30F6012A dsPIC30F6013A dsPIC30F6014A dsPIC30F6015 ^ These 2 devices are not supported for low VDD programming. dsPIC30 SMPS Devices -------------------- dsPIC30F1010 dsPIC30F2020 dsPIC30F2023 PIC32 Devices -------------------- PIC32MX320F032H PIC32MX320F064H PIC32MX320F128L PIC32MX320F128H PIC32MX340F128H PIC32MX340F128L PIC32MX340F256H PIC32MX340F512H* PIC32MX360F256L PIC32MX360F512L PIC32MX420F032H PIC32MX440F128L PIC32MX440F128H PIC32MX440F256H PIC32MX440F512H PIC32MX460F256L PIC32MX460F512L KEELOQ HCS Devices ------------------ HCS200 HCS201 HCS300 HCS301 HCS320 HCS360 HCS361 HCS362 HCSxxx File -> Import HEx Notes: The first line only may be imported from SQTP *.NUM files generated by the KEELOQ tool in MPLAB. Connections for HCS devices --------------------------------------- PICkit 2 Pin HCS Device Pin (2) Vdd 8 (3) GND 5 (5) PGC /3 HCS20x, 320 \3 -or- 4 HCS30x, 36x (4) PGD 6 (1) VPP 2 HCS360, 361 only MCP250xx CAN Devices -------------------- MCP25020 MCP25025 MCP25050 MCP25055 !!IMPORTANT!! - MCP250xx devices are OTP and can only be programmed once. Connections for MCP250xx devices --------------------------------------- PICkit 2 Pin MCP Device Pin (DIP) (1) Vpp 11 Vpp (2) Vdd 14 VDD - The MCP device MUST be powered from PICkit 2! (3) GND 7 Vss (4) PGD 5 DATA (5) PGC 6 CLOCK Serial EEPROM Devices --------------------- NOTE: Other supported voltage grades are listed in parentheses next to the device. Select the "LC" part number to program these other voltage grades. 11LC010 (AA) 11LC020 (AA) 11LC040 (AA) 11LC080 (AA) 11LC160 (AA) 24LC00 (AA)(C) 25LC010A (AA) 24LC01B (AA) 25LC020A (AA) 24LC02B (AA) 25LC040A (AA) 24LC04B (AA) 25LC080A (AA) 24LC08B (AA) 25LC080B (AA) 24LC16B (AA) 25LC160A (AA) 24LC32A (AA) 25LC160B (AA) 24LC64 (AA)(FC) 25LC320A (AA) 24LC128 (AA)(FC) 25LC640A (AA) 24LC256 (AA)(FC) 25LC128 (AA) 24LC512 (AA)(FC) 25LC256 (AA) 24LC1025 (AA)(FC) 25LC512 (AA) 25LC1024 (AA) 93LC46A/B/C (AA)(-C) 93LC56A/B/C (AA)(-C) 93LC66A/B/C (AA)(-C) 93LC76A/B/C (AA)(-C) 93LC86A/B/C (AA)(-C) Connections for 11LC devices --------------------------------------- PICkit 2 Pin 11LC Device Pin (DIP) (2) Vdd ! 8 Vcc (3) GND 4 Vss (6) AUX 5 SCIO ! 11LC devices may not program properly below 3.6V VDD. This is a limitation of the PICkit 2 AUX IO pin. Connections for 24LC devices --------------------------------------- PICkit 2 Pin 24LC Device Pin (DIP) (2) Vdd ! 8 Vcc (3) GND 4 Vss (5) PGC 6 SCL (driven as push-pull) (6) AUX 5 SDA (requires pullup) 7 WP - disabled (GND) 1, 2, 3 Ax pins Connect to Vdd or GND per datasheet and to set address ! 24LC devices may not program properly below 3.6V VDD. This is a limitation of the PICkit 2 AUX IO pin. Connections for 25LC devices --------------------------------------- PICkit 2 Pin 25LC Device Pin (DIP) (1) VPP 1 nCS (2) Vdd 8 Vcc (3) GND 4 Vss (4) PGD 2 SO (5) PGC 6 SCK (6) AUX 5 SI 7 nHOLD - disabled (Vdd) 3 nWP - disabled (Vdd) Connections for 93LC devices --------------------------------------- PICkit 2 Pin 93LC Device Pin (DIP) (1) VPP 1 CS (2) Vdd 8 Vcc (3) GND 5 Vss (4) PGD 4 DO (5) PGC 2 CLK (6) AUX 3 DI 7 PE - enabled (Vdd) 6 'C' Device ORG Set to select word size -----------------------------------------------------------------
For more information about PICkit 2 Partlist: (http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/PICkit%202%20Readme%20v2-61-00%20%28a%29.txt)