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Review : PICKit 3 evaluation kit.

Former Member

I receivemy Pickit 3 evaluation kit some days ago.
After open the UPS box, can I also inspect this kit.
It is composed by one Microchip Pickit3 programmer/Debugger, some PICs MCUs, one PIC18F46J50 USB Demo Board
and one supplementary 18F48K20 nanoWatt XLP Demo board.
3 CDs comes also with all software and documentation need to start "playing" with this kit.

 

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First test, Open my allready installed MPLAB, open the Generic HID custom demo, compile an connect the Pickit3 to the PIC18F46J50 USB Demo Board.
Programming is very fast and I can test this board in less than 3 minutes.

 

Second test, trying to programm 18F48K20 nanoWatt XLP Demo board. Looking in CD for samples programms, (also found in a zip file),
I also found one tutorial for programming this board with Pickit3.
Reading, erasing and checking this board is Ok, but programming seems to be impossible. One question on the Microchip forum
and I got the solution : MPLAB v8.43 (the version I have allready installed isn't compatible with this  board).
Download and install the last version. All running fine.

 

Actually, I read the "PICkit_3_lessons_UG41370c.pdf" and learn using the MCUs and PICKit3.
Lessons are very clear and progressive, programming and debugging are well explain.
I'm currently testing interrupt, so I'll have to update this review next time I progress.

Parents

  • Hi!

     

    I would like to know how useful the PICkit3 device is in the development. Does it have any utility program like PICkit2 which can be used as a Logic Tool, Logic analyzer and UART communication tool as well?

  • in reply to icserny

    I must be really rather Dull and Boring, I`v only ever used my PICKIT2 for programming and rarely to never use MPLAB unless I need to optimise some code to try and steal back a little Memory space.

    so naturally I`m intruiged to hear that this little black box can do so much more!

    does anyone have a few Links where I can learn more about this, it sounds like the basis for a good tinkering session on a cold winters evening that I can add to my list.

     

    Cheers image

  • in reply to YT2095

    The PICKit3 is slowly becoming more and more like the PICKit2. There is now a command line tool which is usefull for production automated programming as well as a PICKit3 Scripting tool that turns the PICKit 3 into a sort of PICKit2.

     

    This new tool allows you to use the same looking PICKit2 programmer and has things like the Logic tool. The UART tool is not available as yet however Microchip are adding this soon. How long soon is I don't know but the UART is on the tools menu.

     

    I'm using the new script type tool now in my own production area without problems.

     

    I think the only issue I have with the PICKit3 is that in MPLAB when switching between families of chips it still has to download new firmware unlike on the PICKit2 - a step backwards in my view that leaves the unit open to getting damaged firmware (and had happen).

     

    Paul

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  • in reply to YT2095

    The PICKit3 is slowly becoming more and more like the PICKit2. There is now a command line tool which is usefull for production automated programming as well as a PICKit3 Scripting tool that turns the PICKit 3 into a sort of PICKit2.

     

    This new tool allows you to use the same looking PICKit2 programmer and has things like the Logic tool. The UART tool is not available as yet however Microchip are adding this soon. How long soon is I don't know but the UART is on the tools menu.

     

    I'm using the new script type tool now in my own production area without problems.

     

    I think the only issue I have with the PICKit3 is that in MPLAB when switching between families of chips it still has to download new firmware unlike on the PICKit2 - a step backwards in my view that leaves the unit open to getting damaged firmware (and had happen).

     

    Paul

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