PICKit 2 Clone with Programming Adaptor

By  :-  Rishirajput

 

After many days of work and research I am now ready with Microchip PICKit2 programmer clone with Minimum and easily available parts with almost full functionality necessary for programming. This is based on the microchip PICKit2. Unlike the original, it also support ICSP (In Circuit Serial Programming) as well as provision of 8/14/18/20/28/40 pin programming adaptor is also incorporated to make programming easier. It supports 5V as well as 3.3V devices. The controller is fully compatible with the MICROCHIP PICKit2 v2.61 /Microchip MPLAB IDE  and as the firmware is developed by Microchip all devices are supported by this programmer like : PIC10F (DIP8) PIC12F (DIP8) PIC16F (DIP14, 18, ​​20, 28 and 40) PIC18F (DIP18, 20, 28 and 40) dsPIC30F (DIP28 and 40). I personally program and verify 16F628A without  any problem , in theory, they require Vpp before Vdd, but actually, it works anyway !. I try my best to reduce the component count as low as possible without losing functionality, also I keep in mind that some of the components used in Microchip original design is not easily available everywhere therefore  the components I used here, except 18F2550 is  of general purpose type. Inductor L1 is not so critical you can use any value between 450uH-1mH but the current rating should be at least 10mA or more. You can arrange the inductor from any 20/25W old CFL (generally 1mH inductor used in CFL’s).

The push button used here to force PIC18F2550 to enter in bootloader mode at power-up, or trigger chip programming after power-up (Generally used for standalone programming, and almost useless here and incorporated only as some conditions demands sometimes).

Here for 3.3V devices  the  required VDD is generated  using LM317 regulator because the USB supply varies from 4.75V to 5.25V from PC to PC

ICSP MALE & FEMALE CONNECTOR

  The "POWER" LED will be constantly lit when PICkit2 is power up.

The "TARGET" LED will lit when PICKit2 supply Vdd to external circuits.

(you can even omit this if you like)

 The "BUSY" LED will lit when PICkit2 is communicating with PC or programming a chip.

Resistors R9, R14, and R19 are used to limit the current to LEDs.

Two pins (i.e. D+ and D-) of PIC18F2550 are used to connect to USB Data+ and Data- to PC and used for communication. An internal 3.3V regulator is used to power the internal transceiver. A  0.47uF capacitor C2 (use only 0.47uF polyester type capacitor here)  is used to stabilize the 3.3V supply.

PICkit 2 is a USB powered, low-power device, it gets all the power from PC USB +5V power supply. The USB port  provides a 5 V(±5%)  supply and maximum permissible load current is 100mA in USB 2.0. When the total current for both target and the PICkit2 programmer exceeds this current limit, the USB port may turn off. If this situation arises then target needs external power supply.
Since PICKit2 itself can draw  current as high as 75mA, therefore the target circuit should be limited to 25mA  if PICkit2 programmer supplies power. It is always a good in practice to use external power supply when programming hi-performance chipsets, like dsPIC30Fs (they normally consume more current).

Pin details of some male and female USB connectors given below for your convenience.

Important Note :-During the construction of  this programmer I face a strange problem related to the USB, my PC is not detecting the hardware, then I searched datasheets and web for solution but nothing found , after that I  connect a pull-up resistor (i.e.4.7k) from pin No.14 (i.e. VUSB) to +5V supply(i.e. Vdd) ( as shown in figure below) …..and it works perfectly  as a HID device…..in case, if you also face the similar situation then try this, otherwise go for straight way.

Boost voltage Generation and Control

VPP Boost voltage Generation and Control
As  the  VPP voltage requirement for PIC varies from 3.3V (dsPIC33F) to 13V (PIC18F ) and as USB port  supplies only 5 volt. Therefore a switch mode boost circuit (as shown above) is used to generate the required target voltage ("VPP").

To stabilize the power supply of the switch mode boost circuit and damp the possible noise , C7 is used, and they should be placed as close as possible to inductor L1. The PIC18F2550 controls the switching  of Q1 (i.e. BC548  or  you can use any general purpose transistor here) .The current handling capacity for inductor L1 should be at least 10mA. When Q1 is on, electric current flow through L1 and Q1, energy is stored in L1. When Q1 is turned off, a high voltage is generated at collector of Q1. The diode D1 i.e. IN4148  conducts  and  charged the capacitor C1, electric current will keep flowing through L1 and D1. This will charge the capacitor and raise its voltage to desired VPP voltage. Resistor R2 and R3 generate a feedback signal which is send back to PIC18F2550 pin No.2. With this "VPP_FEEDBACK" signal, the PIC18F2550 precisely adjust  the switching frequency of  Q1. Thus this feedback boost circuit  can generate the required  "VPP " voltage.  

R4, R5, R6, Q2 and Q4 are used as ON/OFF switch for VPP. When "VPP_ON" is set at high logic by PIC18F2550, Q2 will be on, which will then turn on Q4, and the voltage on C1 will appear on ICSP VPP Pin No.1. When a low logic is send to Q2 by PIC18F2550, Q2 and Q4 will be turned off. This in turn cut off the VPP supply to external circuit. When Q4 and Q3 are both off, the VPP Pin No.1 is in floating condition. The PIC18F2550 can turn on Q3 and it will clamp VPP Pin to ground. This has been used  for PICkit2 self test procedure,. thus overall VPP control procedure makes it possible to turn ON and turn OFF  VPP at any time.

Note :- The voltage rating of capacitor C1  should be  25v or more . R2 and R3 should have 1% or better  accuracy. If possible try  to use Schottky type diode(like BAT54)  in place of  D1 to ensure  low voltage drop otherwise  use IN4148.
Important Note :-Generally PICkit2 can provide Vdd  to power external circuit  but  in  situations  where  target  is  powered by  external source  it is necessary to remove the  “Vdd  selection(3.3v-5v)  jumper J1 to  isolate the internally generated Vdd from the external Vdd, otherwise  target device may be damaged.

Software, Firmware & Schematics
You can download the required software’s, firmware & Eagle schematics  from the links given below, also it is recommended to  read the “PICKIT 2 user manual” as well as “Programmer-To-Go_User_Guide” placed in help section of software before using this.

 PICkit 2 Development Programmer / Debugger PICKit 2 v2.61 PK2V023200.zip

Firmware :- BOOTLOADER.HEX

Eagle Schematic and PCB   :- click here

Remember :- Remember that, only BOOTLOADER.hex  file need to  be burned in the  18F2550  and nothing else.  After that when you connect the PICKIT2 to PC using PICKit2 v2.61 software it  shows a message “ No OS found, download the required firmware”….then go to the TOOLS > Download pickit2 operating system…. And you find that target folder contain the required firmware file PK2V023200.hex,  choose it , wait for a minute till the firmware is successfully uploaded to 18F2550 and enjoy!!!!!

One more thing you need a extra programmer to burn the BOOTLOADER.hex to the 18F2550, a serial based JDM programmer is suitable for that.  For your convenience JDM based programmer schematic and required software link is provided below

 

JDM programmer schematic

Software for JDM programmer :- WinPic800

 Still if you have any query or questions feel free to comment I will try my best…….

Regards

Rishi  kumar Sumal