To program a microcontroller, you will need a tool such as the PICkit. This device links the IDE from the computer with the microcontroller, usually by a USB port. Continue reading to learn how to connect a PICkit 4 or any other PICkit to the microcontroller.
Do you know what are the requirements for programming a microcontroller? Here you will find a fresh guide to start; click in the link below:
https://www.techzorro.com/blog/requirements-pic-microcontrollers/
Table of Contents
USB Cable
I will use for this tutorial the PICkit 4. If you have the PICkit 3, it will work equally good. Connect the PICkit to the computer with the included USB cable. Notice that PICkit 3 uses mini-USB-B and PICkit 4 uses micro-USB-B.
How is the Microcontroller placed?
Is the microcontroller connected to a breadboard (left) or to a PCB (right)?
How to connect PICkit in a Breadboard? Use Jumper Cables
If the microcontroller is placed in a breadboard, then I recommend that you connect them with jumper cables o wires like ones below. They have to be 5 male-male units and at least 2,5cm long.
How to connect PICkit in a PCB? Use Pin Headers
If the microcontroller is already in the PCB, then it might be good idea to plug it with a pin header. It can be either soldered or unsoldered. It provides better mechanical grip than with jumper cables. (The square copper pad indicates the first pin).
How to connect the pins from the PICkit
From all connections or pins available in the PICkit, you will need only 5:
- MCLR: Master Clear.
- VDD: The power source (5V or 3.3V); the positive ‘ + ‘.
- VSS: The ground (GND) of the circuit; the negative ‘ – ’.
- PGD: The programming data from the PICkit.
- PGC: The programming clock from the PICkit.
Pick your PICkit up. To find out which is which, refer to the following images.
Both images were taken from the PICkit 3 and PICkit 4 User Guides, respectively.
Matching the Correct Pins
This pins from the PICkit must be connected to the same pins of the microcontroller (for example, the PIC16F628A is pictured below).
The red arrows indicate the pins that must be connected near the microcontroller. The green arrows indicate the pins that can be connected to the power bus.
- TheMCLRfrom the PICkit must be connected to the RA5/MCLR/Vpp pin, which corresponds to the pin 4 of the microcontroller.
- TheVDD(or in the 5V+ power bus) from the PICkit must be connected toVDDwhich corresponds to thepin 14 of the microcontroller. (Some microcontrollers have more than 1 power pin).
- TheVSS(or in the GND power bus) from the PICkit must be connected toVSSwhich corresponds to thepin 5. (Some microcontrollers have more than 1 power pin).
- ThePGDfrom the PICkit must be connected to the RB7/T1OSI/PGDpin, which corresponds to thepin 13.
- ThePGCfrom the PICkit must be connected to the RB6/T1OSO/T1CKI/PGCwhich corresponds to thepin 12.
Examples
In the pictures below you will find examples of connecting the PICkit with microcontrollers.
PIC16F628A in a breadboard
Next Chapter
Now you need to set up everything with MPLAB IDE; the program where you will write your code for the microcontroller. Follow the link below:
https://www.techzorro.com/blog/requirements-mplab/
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