engineering

MPLAB devices

MPLAB devices is a engineering topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand MPLAB devices rather than just read about it. In short: The MPLAB series of devices are programmers and debuggers for Microchip PIC and dsPIC microcontrollers, developed by Microchip Technology. The ICD family of debuggers has been produced since the release of the first Flash-based PIC microcontrollers, and the latest ICD 3 currently supports all current PIC and dsPIC devices.

Key takeaways

MPLAB devices belongs to engineering; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect MPLAB devices to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of MPLAB devices from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The MPLAB series of devices are programmers and debuggers for Microchip PIC and dsPIC microcontrollers, developed by Microchip Technology. The ICD family of debuggers has been produced since the release of the first Flash-based PIC microcontrollers, and the latest ICD 3 currently supports all current PIC and dsPIC devices. It is the most popular combination debugging/programming tool from Microchip. The REAL ICE emulator is similar to the ICD, with the addition of better debugging features, and various add-on modules that expand its usage scope. The ICE is a family of discontinued in-circuit emulators for PIC and dsPIC devices, and is currently superseded by the REAL ICE.

MPLAB ICD The MPLAB ICD is the first in-circuit debugger product by Microchip, and is currently discontinued and superseded by ICD 2. The ICD connected to the engineer's PC via RS-232, and connected to the device via ICSP. The ICD supported devices within the PIC16C and PIC16F families, and supported full speed execution, or single step interactive debugging. Only one hardware breakpoint was supported by the ICD.

MPLAB ICD 2

The MPLAB ICD 2 is a discontinued in-circuit debugger and programmer by Microchip, and is currently superseded by ICD 3. The ICD 2 connects to the engineer's PC via USB or RS-232, and connects to the device via ICSP. The ICD 2 supports most PIC and dsPIC devices within the PIC10, PIC12, PIC16, PIC18, dsPIC, rfPIC and PIC32 families, and supports full speed execution, or single step interactive debugging. At breakpoints, data and program memory can be read and modified using the MPLAB IDE. The ICD 2 firmware is field upgradeable using the MPLAB IDE. The ICD 2 can be used to erase, program or reprogram PIC MCU program memory, while the device is installed on target hardware, using ICSP. Target device voltages from 2.0V to 6.0V are supported.

MPLAB ICD 3

The MPLAB ICD 3 is an in-circuit debugger and programmer by Microchip, and is the latest in the ICD series. The ICD 3 connects to the engineer's PC via USB, and connects to the device via ICSP. The ICD 3 is entirely USB-bus-powered, and is 15x faster than the ICD 2 for programming devices. The ICD 3 supports all current PIC and dsPIC devices within the PIC10, PIC12, PIC16, PIC18, dsPIC, rfPIC and PIC32 families, and supports full speed execution, or single step interactive debugging. At breakpoints, data and program memory can be read and modified using the MPLAB IDE. The ICD 3 firmware is field upgradeable using the MPLAB IDE. The ICD 3 can be used to erase, program or reprogram PIC MCU program memory, while the device is installed on target hardware, using ICSP. Target device voltages from 2.0V to 5.5V are supported. The ICD 3 has over-voltage protection in the probe drivers to guard against power surges from the target. All lines have over-current protection. The ICD 3 can also provide power to a target, up to 100 mA.

MPLAB REAL ICE

The MPLAB REAL ICE (In-Circuit Emulator) is a high-speed emulator for Microchip devices. It debugs and programs PIC and dsPIC microcontrollers in conjunction with the MPLAB IDE, while the target device is "in-circuit". The REAL ICE is significantly faster than the ICD 2, for programming and debugging. The REAL ICE connects to the engineer's PC via a USB 2.0 interface, and connects to the target device via ICSP (PGC/PGD programming pins), typically using a RJ11 connector. LVDS is also available for high-speed data transfer between the device and the REAL ICE. MPLAB REAL ICE is field upgradeable through firmware downloads in MPLAB IDE. The REAL ICE supports 8-bit devices (PIC10, PIC12, PIC16, PIC18), 16-bit devices (PIC24, dsPIC) and 32-bit devices (PIC32MX).

Performance Pak The REAL ICE Performance Pak is an optional add-on to the REAL ICE, that consists of a High Speed Probe Driver and Receiver that employ two CAT5 cables. Debug pins are driven using LVDS communications, and the additional trace connections allow high speed serial trace uploads to the PC.

Isolator The REAL ICE Isolator is an optional add-on to the REAL ICE, that enables connectivity to AC and High-voltage applications not referenced to ground. Control signals are magnetically or optically isolated providing up to 2.5 kV equivalent isolation protection. The isolator acts as an isolated bridge, where signals are passed through with complete transparency to the MPLAB REAL ICE or MPLAB IDE.

MPLAB ICE2000 The MPLAB ICE2000 is a discontinued in-circuit emulator for PIC and dsPIC devices. It has been superseded by the REAL ICE. The ICE2000 connects to the engineer's PC via a parallel port interface, and a USB converter is available. The ICE2000 requires emulator modules, and the test hardware must provide a socket which can take either an emulator module, or a production device.

MPLAB ICE4000

The MPLAB ICE4000 is a discontinued in-circuit emulator for PIC and dsPIC devices. It has been superseded by the REAL ICE. The ICE4000 is no longer directly advertised on Microchip's website, and Microchip states that it is not recommended for new designs. The ICE4000 connects to the engineer's PC via a USB 2.0 interface. PIC devices under debug with the ICE4000 ran at full speed, and the emulator supported unlimited breakpoints, and complex break/trigger logic. The emulator supported multiple external inputs and external outputs to sync with other instruments.

References

Illustrations

MPLAB devices: The MPLAB ICD 3 — The MPLAB ICD 3

MPLAB devices: The MPLAB ICE4000 — The MPLAB ICE4000

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with MPLAB devices

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what MPLAB devices claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In engineering, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to MPLAB devices before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about MPLAB devices ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of MPLAB devices

In research: MPLAB devices appears in engineering research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses MPLAB devices in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: MPLAB devices is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Electronic engineering, Microchip Technology hardware, Microcontrollers, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for MPLAB devices outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study MPLAB devices in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what MPLAB devices means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain MPLAB devices out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is MPLAB devices in simple terms?

Why does MPLAB devices matter?

Because it connects several engineering ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study MPLAB devices?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on MPLAB devices.