New to micro controllers

[Glacius]

Hi I'm new to Microcontrollers and I've been following a tutorial for my PIC16f628A. I was wondering whether anyone could tell me how to connect the pic to my computer to program it?

 

[Sig239]

You need to buy a programmer. Read the sticky at the top of the forum.

 

[Glacius]

So would something like this be suitable?

**broken link removed**

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

That's rather expensive, and generally considered to be a pretty poor programmer - I would suggest you try looking at the InchWorm ICD2 clone mentioned a LOT in this forum.

 

[gramo]

The ICD requires a COM port, if your interrested in a high speed USB programmer, the PICKit2 from microchip is $49.95 (It supports a complete fist full of PIC's)
**broken link removed**

 

[gramo]

Just on that, if your looking for the best programmer/development board on the market, the EasyPIC4 is hard to beat. Its $149, and you can use what ever programming software you want, as you simply program the PIC with the development's board software with the .HEX file produced
**broken link removed**

It comes with everything but the LCD's, they are a little extra. Or you can simply solder headers onto yours and put them in

 

[Glacius]

Well the VELLEMAN Pic Programmer/Checker is the only programmer I can find in my area... And just out of curiousity what exactly makes the other programmers you specified better?

 

[pkshima]

You should be able to build one of these.
I am trying myself to build one.

**broken link removed**
or
http://www.blueroomelectronics.com/

If you want to buy one,

I would suggest either the PIC-ICD2 (**broken link removed** or inchworm+ (http://www.blueroomelectronics.com/)

 

[gramo]

Well the VELLEMAN Pic Programmer/Checker is the only programmer I can find in my area... And just out of curiousity what exactly makes the other programmers you specified better?

Well the EasyPIC4 is a complete development board, as you can see in the piccy.

mikroElectronica will ship to almost anywhere in the world, so too will microchip.

From memory, shipping costs will be displayed as you choose your contry from a drop down box as your checking out with the order online

 

[mister_e]

I also have that board and i like it. I've got mine from Circuit-Ed in USA.
**broken link removed**

 

[Glacius]

Well I don't have a credit card so ordering the EasyPIC4 will be difficult... I've considered making my own InchWorm ICD2, although there are a few problems I've noticed in the assembly instructions. One is that it asks for a Preprogrammed PIC16F877A, and the closest thing I can find to the MAX232 at my local electronics hardware store is ICL232. Also, another problem is getting the actual board to stick all the electrical components in.

 

[gramo]

www.circuit-ed.com offers alternate payment options

I got it wrong before, its $119

 

[mdanh2002]

Is it possible to build a PIC programmer board interfaced via the parallel port, and then use MPlab/WinPIC to program? WinPIC's help file suggests that this is possible. This also removes the needs for the MAX232, whose main purpose is just to convert TTL signals into RS-232, making the circuit simpler.

 

[kchriste]

Is it possible to build a PIC programmer board interfaced via the parallel port

Checkout Nigels PIC programming hard/software, and PIC Tutorials at:
http://www.winpicprog.co.uk

 

[gramo]

Is it possible to build a PIC programmer board interfaced via the parallel port, and then use MPlab/WinPIC to program? WinPIC's help file suggests that this is possible. This also removes the needs for the MAX232, whose main purpose is just to convert TTL signals into RS-232, making the circuit simpler.

Crude JDM designs do that, but they are not very reliable. You can get them for around $20 on eBay, or build them yourself (hard to match that price though for a fully finctional built version)

 

[blueroomelectronics]

Well I don't have a credit card so ordering the EasyPIC4 will be difficult... I've considered making my own InchWorm ICD2, although there are a few problems I've noticed in the assembly instructions. One is that it asks for a Preprogrammed PIC16F877A, and the closest thing I can find to the MAX232 at my local electronics hardware store is ICL232. Also, another problem is getting the actual board to stick all the electrical components in.

Any typical MAX232 compatible should work fine, the ST232 works great and so should the ICL232.

 

[3v0]

Also, another problem is getting the actual board to stick all the electrical components in.

You have several options if you do not want to buy a kit.

• Buy the Inchworm PCB from DIPMICRO for $18.
• Etch and drill your own board.
• Hand wire the board.

All three have been done by quite a few people.
Search the forums here for lots of info on making your own PCB.

You can also get a preprogramed PIC from DIPMICRO.