Feb, '11. Note. This is no longer available.

Introduction.

This is a comprehensive development package for the PIC16F87X family including an Olimex Serial In Circuit Debugger which is fully compatible with the Microchip ICD 2. It includes an extensive collection of C language routines (CCS), an Olimex Tiny ICD2, solderless breadboard, voltage regualtor, PIC16F877A and associated crystal and resonator, logic monitor, wall power units and a collection of LEDs, potentiometer, speaker and thermistor, enough to familiarize the user with virtually every feature of the PICs.

History.

This package was first developed in Dec, '00 using the Microchip ICD, which later became known as the Microchip ICD1. However, rather than using the clumsy telephone connector to interface with the target, I used a telephone connector terminal block to breakout the leads. In late 2002, Advanced Transdata who manufactured the ICD for Microchip closed its doors and I began using the Olimex ICD1. This constrained the user to the PIC16F87x series using MPLAB 5.7x. In late 2005, I began offering the package with the Olimex Tiny ICD2. This permits the user to use the latest versions of MPLAB and either debug or program most modern Microchip PICs.

Note that the TinyICD2 may be used for debugging many modern PICs, but may also be used as a programmer. In fact, as a programmer alone, it is probably the best buy around. Supported Devices.

Content of the Full Package.

• C Language Tutorials. Tutorial Summary (Updated July 30, '02)
• Olimex TinyICD2 Unit, 5-inch cable connector and short lengths of 22 AWG solid wire to interface with a solderless breadboard.

  16 VDC Wall power unit for powering the TinyICD2. Note that the TinyICD2 does not provide a charge pump and this power unit is required to generate the +13 VDC required for programming the target PIC.

• Serial Cable, 6 foot, DB9F to DB9M. This connects the main serial ICD board to the PC Com Port.

• Jameco JE25 Breadboard. This is probably the most popular board in use with some 1200 tie points, and four dual power strips mounted on a sturdy aluminum plate.

• PIC16F877A-I/P with 4.0 MHz Ceramic Resonator and 20 MHz Crystal.

• 20X4 LCD (DMC20434) with 74HC595 Shift Register. This permits the display of text using three PIC outputs.

• 10K Potentiometer, 10K NTC Thermistor, Speaker, Five 5V LEDs, Push Button.

• Wall Power Unit. This is a 12V unit under a light load which drops to 9 VDC at one amp. My students have wired red and black solid 22 AWG leads which permits the user to quickly apply power to the breadboard.

• 7805 Voltage Regulator Kit. This includes a 7805 regulator in a TO-220 package, heat sink and filter capacitors.

• Morgan Logic Probe. This is a simple and yet powerful design in an 8-pin DIP. A wire is used as the probe and the LED is "dim" when open, "off" when near ground, full "on" when at a logic one and flashing when the point being probed is in transition. The 8-pin DIP also provides a source of one and ten pulses per second.

• Six feet each of four colors of 22 AWG solid wire suitable for use with a solderless breadboard.

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