PIC developmenyt tools

[robosang]

tips..... em

Maybe decide the programming language you prefer as beginning, because once you fall in love with a particular programming language or compiler, you don want to shift to another language.

I prefer C and mostly using Hi-TECH and Microchip C18 compiler.

[zhenning]

try blinking led program. read the datasheet. and get a book to read

[zhenning]

If you really need software debugger, go for ICD 3. Real ICE is even better but you need to fork out about RM3000 XD

[happyrush]

Hi,
zhenning is true ICD 3 i bought cost RM900++ from Farnell, now the prive even higher,but it is very powerful, life time warranty from microchip.

For my recommendation, you can use ICD2 clone version, last time me and my friends clone the icd2 and it works well, cost you RM50++.ICD2 and ICD 3 almost the same but ICD3 support PIC32 family.

[ABSF]

Which ICD2 did you clone? Was it this one?

http://www.blueroomelectronics.com/down ... ctions.pdf

http://www.blueroomelectronics.com/inchwormplus.htm

You can get the preprogrammed 16F877 here:


http://business.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_n ... m270.l1313

That will come close to RM50++

Allen

[happyrush]

Hi,

Actually not from that,we clone USB ICD2, Serial port ICD2 is not useful at all, troublesome.


I have the firmware from ICD2 cloning. Last time we draw our PCB and Fabricate at our University Lab, we build from the nothing , that's why it is cheap.

The latest we clone is on board debugger for PIC32, meaning that my project can simply build in a debugger and able to do debugging with MPLAB without buy expensive debugger even don`t need programmer.

If you want the USB ICD2 source i can give you but if for PIC32 internal debugger i cannot give because we spend 3 days to get the firmware out.

With a debugger, you save a lot of time to check, can make your program more stable,even very experience firmware developer also need it!unless your project is very tiny and simple.

[ABSF]

Wow, you are really terrific (fantastic).

My friend had a design which took him one year and he was making a lot of money out of it. There were also competitors making similar product, in Singapore, like his but was more complicated and cost more to make. And after selling his product for about 2 years, his circuit was cloned and improved (in appearance) in China by his competitors and he lost his business. He was wondering how his PIC was cracked though he already burnt the code protection bit during programming. Luckily he still has other products which no one want to clone!

I'll send you a personal email to discuss about the ICD firmware OK?

And thank you for sharing your precious experience here.

Allen

[zhenning]

Recommend him to use FPGA. so far, it's still very hard to crack that XD

[ABSF]

Yes, I think he knew it. He got one complete set of books and development board for Altera FGPA from China. But he wanted me to read first and then teach him later as he is TOO BUSY to read the books. But I turned him down. What's your recommendations for him to do?

Allen

[zhenning]

Hmm.... destroy the IC silckscreen on the products thats what the china's production is doing. worse is they use their own chip. you cannot find it elsewhere except china XD