PIC Programmer Lite(MPLAB Compatible)

This is a low cost MPLAB Compatible PIC programmer.The programmer will detect automatically as Pickit2 programmer by MPLAB. It can program all 5Volt PIC micro controllers including the PIC16F84A ,PIC16F628, PIC18F458 and PIC16F877A .

PIC Programmer Lite as a Debugger allows in-circuit debugging on selected PIC microcontrollers.In circuit debugging allows the designer to run, halt and single step the program while the PIC microcontroller is embedded in the hardware. Once halted, the file registers may be examined and modified.This greatly assists the designer in debugging the firmware and hardware together. Alternatively PIC Programmer Lite can also be used as a USB-UART tool.This feature allows PIC Programmer Lite to be used as a serial UART terminal interface for communicating with a PIC microcontroller using the PICkit 2 Application Program. Using PIC Programmer Lite, we can use about 95% of our pic’s memory. If we program with a boot-loader we will have to reserve separate memory just to fuse boot-loader.

Note: This programmer is not recommended for low voltage(3V) microcontrollers.

Features :

  • USB Connection (cable Included)
  • Does not require external power supply
  • 100% compatible with Microchip’s MPLAB IDE (Pickit2)
  • Compact and handy design
  • Both RJ11 connector and ICSP 6PIN Connector for programming.

Device Support List :

Note: This list shows support for the PICkit 2 Programmer software application. It does not show support for using the PIC Programmer Lite within MPLAB IDE. To know if your device is supported by MPLAB IDE, Ensure that your device is programmable at 5V, because PIC Programmer Lite is not designed to program devices not operable at 5V (eg: PIC16LFXX,PIC18LFXX, dsPIC, PIC24, PIC32). Warning: Do not program the following device series with PIC Programmer Lite. As they may potentially damage your device permanently (PIC1xLFxx Series, dsPIC series, PIC24 Series, PIC32 series)

+    Indicates parts that require 4.75V minimum VDD for programming. PIC Programmer Lite 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 DevicesPIC10F200       PIC10F202       PIC10F204       PIC10F206
PIC10F220       PIC10F222
PIC12F508       PIC12F509       PIC12F510       PIC12F519
PIC16F505       PIC16F506       PIC16F526
PIC16F54         PIC16F57          PIC16F59

Midrange/Standard Devices>>  ‘LF’ versions of PIC16 family devices are “not” 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#

PIC18 Devices>>  ‘LF’ versions of PIC18 family are “not” 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_ DevicesPIC18F24J10          
PIC18F24J11    PIC18F24J50      
PIC18F25J10             
PIC18F25J11    PIC18F25J50      
PIC18F26J11    PIC18F26J50      
PIC18F44J10    PIC18F44J11     PIC18F44J50      
PIC18F45J10     
PIC18F45J11    PIC18F45J50      
PIC18F46J11    PIC18F46J50      
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_ DevicesPIC18F13K22    PIC18F14K22      
PIC18F13K50    PIC18F14K50      
PIC18F14K50-ICD
PIC18F23K20    PIC18F24K20     PIC18F25K20     PIC18F26K20
PIC18F43K20    PIC18F44K20     PIC18F45K20     PIC18F46K20  

Pin layout :Pin Description :

The PIC Programmer Lite (MPLAB Compatible) unit connects as follows :

  • PWR     Power is applied to the PIC Programmer Lite via the USB port
  • TGTP    The PIC Programmer Lite is powering the target device
  • BUSY   The PIC Programmer Lite is busy with a function in progress, such as programming

How to Test ?

    Package includes:

  • PIC Programmer Lite
  • USB cable
  • RJ11 cable for programming
  • 6PIN ICSP Connector

The PIC Programmer uses a USB port for power and connection to the computer, as opposed to the traditional serial port, eliminating the need for a separate power supply. It will automatically power the circuit ,if the target Controller is not powered.

Power up the PIC programmer Lite , PWR LED glows.

Selecting PIC Programmer Lite(MPLAB Compatible) as a Programmer tool

  • Step 1 : Launch MPLAB IDE ,(click here to download)

  •  Step 2 : The MPLAB IDE window opens as shown below

  • Step 3 : From MPLAB IDE menu bar select Configure  >Select Device as shown below

  • Step 4 : Select the device to be programmed from the drop down list and click ‘OK’

  • Step 5 : Next from the Menu Bar select Configure  >Configuration Bits

  •  Step 6 : Now remove the ‘tick’  from Configuration Bits set in code and click ‘OK’ for the dialogue box appears as shown below

  •  Step 7 : Set the ‘Setting‘ for the ‘Category’ as shown below and make sure the configuration Bits set in code is set or ‘tick’

  • Step 8 : From menu bar select Programmer >Select Programmer >PICkit 2 as shown below. When we select the option PICkit 2 from Programmer ,in PIC Programmer Lite the TGTP LED glows. If the PIC Programmer didn’t connect automatically when it was selected as a Programmer tool, Programmer >Connect to connect now. The connection status will be visible in  the output window.

  • Step 9 : MPLAB will add PICkit 2 debug features : (A) the status bar will show PICkit 2 as the debug tool, (B) the programmer menu will change to add PICkit 2 functions and (C) the output window will display the communication status between the PIC Programmer Lite and the target board on the PICkit 2 tab. Depending on the version of the MPLAB IDE software or the selected device, a message may appear indicating that the firmware (PICkit 2 operating system) needs to be updated. MPLAB IDE will automatically install new firmware.

  • Step10 : Import a compiled program (hex file) to program the target device by selecting File >Import

  • Step 11 :  Load a hex file from desired folder

  • Step 12 : Click over the icon to program the target device as shown below. In PIC Programmer Lite the BUSY LED glows at the time of programming.

  • Step 13 : When the program gets loaded successfully , the window will be as shown below

Now disconnect PIC Programmer Lite(MPLAB Compatible). The controller can be used for the desired application.

Selecting PIC Programmer Lite(MPLAB Compatible) as a Debug tool

  • Step 14 : Repeat steps 1 to 7 if user is getting started to use PIC Programmer Lite as a Debug tool from start up of MPLAB IDE

  • Step 15 : Create a project in MPLAB IDE after completing the code ,saving it in .c file  and build the code using the built icon as shown below, hex file will be automatically developed. [Note: if you import a file  from File >Import ,other than creating and building the code the hex file debugging will be of the imported file]

  •  Step 16 : From menu bar Select Debugger >Select Tool >PICkit 2 (or) if the PIC Programmer Lite didn’t connect automatically when it was selected as a debug tool, Debugger >Connect to connect now.The connection status will be visible in  the output window.

  • Step 17 : MPLAB IDE will add PICkit 2 debug features: (A)the status bar will show PICkit 2 as the debug tool, (B) a PICkit 2 debug tool will be added, (C) the Debugger menu will change to add PICkit 2 debug functions [showned as in Step 3] and (D) the output window will display communication status between the PIC Programmer Lite and the target on the PICkit 2 tab.Depending on the version of the MPLAB IDE software or the selected device, a message may appear indicating that the firmware (PICkit 2 operating system) needs to be updated.MPLAB IDE will automatically install new firmware.

  • Step 18 : Now Program the target device using the icon as shown below, thus entered in debug mode. In PIC Programmer Lite the BUSY LED glows at the time of debugging.

  • Step 19 : Mark one break point in the c file to debug the code and Run the code using the icon in the Debug tool bar as shown below

  • Step 20 : Thus debug the code successfully (green arrow mark ) to the break point given; from the output window we finalize that the code run and the target get halted.

 Now we can disconnect the PIC Programmer Lite and check the debug code for further application

Using PIC Programmer Lite to retrieve a program from the controller

Step1: Using MPLAB connect the target as programmer
[ Programmer > Select Programmer > Pickit 2 /  Programmer > Connect ].
Then read the program  as Programmer > Read  or click icon, the output window  displays as shown belowIf necessary read the EEDATA memory as Programmer > Read  EEDATA  or click icon, the output obtained as shown below

Step2: When PICkit 2 is ready to read, export the file File < Export

Step3: A small window opens as shown below, in this mark the necessary options and click ‘OK‘

Step4: Save the hex file in a desired folder

Step5: Thus retrieve the hex file from the controller, now use it for desired purpose.

Resources :

MPLAB IDE

How to Buy :

Support :

Please share your ideas with us, visit our forum for discussion

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ):

Q.Is it possible to use PIC Programmer Lite(MPLAB Compatible) as a debugger?
Ans.Yes. PIC Programmer Lite(MPLAB Compatible) can be used as a programmer and a debugger

Q.Is it necessary to disconnect the PICKIT2 Programmer after loading the hex code to controller?
Ans.Yes. it is necessary to disconnect the Programmer.

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