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dbotkin
Joined: 08 Sep 2003
Posts: 197
Location: Omaha NE USA
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| Programmer question |
 Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 8:38 am |
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For the past several years I have been using an EPIC+ programmer. It's worked fine until now. Still does for most things, but it steadfastly refuses to program any A-suffix part (16F628A, 648A). MELabs can't figure it out, they say no one else has the problem. It's not the power supply or the parallel port, I've moved it to a different computer with identical results. Whatever. Anyway, I *need* to use some newer chips, so it's time for a new programmer.
So my question for everyone is: What programmers have people had success with integrating with PCW? I am OK with the idea of using software from the programmer manufacturer, but would prefer to program directly from PCW if possible. I'm looking at Warp-13A, Olimex's PIC_MCP_USB and a couple of others. I do not use MPLAB, and don't particularly wish to start again. I've looked at numerous other routes (IC-Prog and a cheap programmer, etc) but most don't seemt o support some of the less common or newer chips like the 16F88, 12F683, etc.
Here are my hard and fast must-haves:
Support for newer FLASH PICs (12F675, 12F683, 16F88, 16F648A, etc)
Header for ICSP
Free updates for new chips
And my nice-to-have items:
USB connection
Can be integrated with PCW
Support for 18F, EEPROM, etc |
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kypec
Joined: 20 Sep 2003
Posts: 54
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| My experience |
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 12:43 am |
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Hi dbotkin,
in our company we are using the programmers LabProg+ and PikProg+,
both from ELNEC http://www.elnec.com
In my opinion they are quite fast, reliable, have a good support
(you can request for custom algorithm be included), free SW updates
via internet (like once a month or even more frequently).
Actually, I don't know how easily they could integrate with PCW but
I'm sure they support some kind of "command line options".
They offer also an USB programmer BeeProg.
Well, explore their website, download a PG4UW software (it might be
launched in demo mode without a real programmer connected as well)
and make your opinion 
Last but not least: I've been using also Topmax
from http://www.eetools.com, however,
it has often failed to program correctly PIC16F877
and some other "mature" chips configuration fuses.
The automatic file format recognition - HEX or BINARY?
- was also very poor, therefore I stopped using this programmer
one year ago. 
have a nice day,
kypec[/b] |
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Ttelmah
Guest
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| Re: My experience |
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:05 am |
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| kypec wrote: | Hi dbotkin,
in our company we are using the programmers LabProg+ and PikProg+,
both from ELNEC http://www.elnec.com
In my opinion they are quite fast, reliable, have a good support
(you can request for custom algorithm be included), free SW updates
via internet (like once a month or even more frequently).
Actually, I don't know how easily they could integrate with PCW but
I'm sure they support some kind of "command line options".
They offer also an USB programmer BeeProg.
Well, explore their website, download a PG4UW software (it might be
launched in demo mode without a real programmer connected as well)
and make your opinion
Last but not least: I've been using also Topmax
from http://www.eetools.com, however,
it has often failed to program correctly PIC16F877
and some other "mature" chips configuration fuses.
The automatic file format recognition - HEX or BINARY?
- was also very poor, therefore I stopped using this programmer
one year ago.
have a nice day,
kypec[/b] |
I'd have to disagree with the quality of the support on the PICProg+.
When the 18Fxx2's came out, they added support for these, which did not work. MicroChips own basic programmer (the PicStart), did the chips fine. For over six months, Elnec denied they had a problem, claiming it had to be out unit (despite the fact that four of the programmers behaved the same). Then suddenly they launched a code version that worked. The programmers are also very slow on the larger chips (take over five times the time to program a 18F452, than the PICStart manages.
For a basic but comprehensive programmer, I'd suggest something like the Warp13A, which is what we switched to using while having the problems with the Elnec Units...
Best Wishes |
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Guest
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| Re: Programmer question |
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:22 am |
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| dbotkin wrote: | For the past several years I have been using an EPIC+ programmer. It's worked fine until now. Still does for most things, but it steadfastly refuses to program any A-suffix part (16F628A, 648A). MELabs can't figure it out, they say no one else has the problem. It's not the power supply or the parallel port, I've moved it to a different computer with identical results. Whatever. Anyway, I *need* to use some newer chips, so it's time for a new programmer.
So my question for everyone is: What programmers have people had success with integrating with PCW? I am OK with the idea of using software from the programmer manufacturer, but would prefer to program directly from PCW if possible. I'm looking at Warp-13A, Olimex's PIC_MCP_USB and a couple of others. I do not use MPLAB, and don't particularly wish to start again. I've looked at numerous other routes (IC-Prog and a cheap programmer, etc) but most don't seemt o support some of the less common or newer chips like the 16F88, 12F683, etc.
Here are my hard and fast must-haves:
Support for newer FLASH PICs (12F675, 12F683, 16F88, 16F648A, etc)
Header for ICSP
Free updates for new chips
And my nice-to-have items:
USB connection
Can be integrated with PCW
Support for 18F, EEPROM, etc |
Hello !!!
you can visit this site http://www.kitsrus.com/upuc.html
--- you can get the schematics by downloading the PDF file http://www.kitsrus.com/pdf/k149c_intro.pdf for the Kit 149 version C... this schemtics uses a PIC16F628 for programming other PICmicro chip... it is also located in the site for supported devices...
BTW, the HEX code for the PIC16F628 --> u need to download the file at http://www.crowcroft.net/kitsrus/diypack21.zip and then you need to install such that you can get the hex file for the PIC16F628 depending on the Kit version you are using.
In addition, you need another programmer such that you can programme the PIC16F628... after programming you now have a PICmicro programmer similar to ICD-U20 or ICD-U40... the version C is capable of using serial and usb interface thru a selection switch.
I hope this helps...
Thnx |
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kypec
Joined: 20 Sep 2003
Posts: 54
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| att: Ttelmah |
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:28 am |
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Hi Ttelmah,
I can't say anything against the wrong PIC18FXX2 programming story only
that it's really a pity for the users 
Anyway, are you sure that the long programming times on Elnec
compared to Picstart+ are not caused by any of the following:
Elnec PIKProg+ | Microchip Picstart+
programs whole | programs only the area configured
memory range | in MPLAB settings
LPT port is not | serial port is configured with the
configured for the | maximum baud rate
maximum speed
blank checking is | blank checking is perhaps skipped
enabled | before actual programming
verification is done | verification is done ONLY once
twice (at VCCmax, |
then at VCCmin)
I mentioned this because I am capable to program PIC18F252
with PIKProg+ via ISP with blank checking and double verification
within 25 seconds 
best regards,
kypec |
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