Purchasing A Programmer
The Microchip ICD4 (and ICD3) is a low cost Microchip in circuit programmer. You can purchase this programmer from:
It is the Microchip part number “DV164045” you need. As well as in circuit programming the ICD4 is also a debugger, hence being called that in some product descriptions)
The MPLAB software to use with the programmers is downloaded for free. See here for details on how to use the programmer.
Standard IBEX Programmer To PCB Header Cable
The Microchip ICD3 may be used to program PIC microcontrollers in circuit. We typically use a low cost SIL header on PCB’s to allow in circuit programming which differs from the RJ11 cable supplied with the Microchip ICD3. This guide details our standard connecting cable:-
You can either use the RJ12 cable supplied with the programmer or buy a RJ12 cable from RS Components: 446-664.
Cut off one end, leaving the programming cable as short as possible (100mm total length is recommended to avoid programming issues).
Fit a blue MTA5 socket (or an alternative SIL5 connector that will accept thin cable cores) to the cut end.
ICD Programming Connection
RJ12 Connector
With the locking tab down and the connector contacts away from you, the left pin is 1, the right pin is 6.
| 1 | |
| 2 | RB6/PGC |
| 3 | RB7/PGD |
| 4 | Gnd |
| 5 | Vdd |
| 6 | MCLR/Vpp |
The IBEX standard 5 pin header pinout is:
| 1 | MCLR/Vpp |
| 2 | +5V |
| 3 | Gnd |
| 4 | RB7/PGD |
| 5 | RB6/PGC |
Therefore, build cable as follows:
| RJ 6 Pin | MTA5 |
| 1 | |
| 2 | 5 |
| 3 | 4 |
| 4 | 3 |
| 5 | 2 |
| 6 | 1 |
Keep the overall cable length short (<=100mm).
Mark pin 1 on the MTA5 connector in some way to make it obvious which way the cable connects to the PCB. Our PCB’s are marked with a pair of white triangles pointing to pin 1. When connecting to PCB headers which have 7 pins the 5 pin MTA may still be used in the same way with pin 1 connecting to pin 1 of the 7 pin header (pins 6 & 7 are not connected).
Miniature Surface Mount IBEX Connector Cable
Use one end of ready made cable RS Components: 446-664 connected and a Molex 1.25mm socket using pre crimped wires.
Parts
RS Components (rswww.com) 446-664 – 1off
Farnell (www.farnell.com) 615-109 – 1off
Farnell (www.farnell.com) 112-5272 – 1 pack of 10
(The Microchip ICD4 programmer is supplied with the RS 446-664 type cable that you could use instead of buying from it RS).
RJ12 Connector
With the locking tab down and the connector contacts away from you, the left pin is 1, the right pin is 6.
| 1 | |
| 2 | RB6/PGC |
| 3 | RB7/PGD |
| 4 | Gnd |
| 5 | Vdd |
| 6 | MCLR/Vpp |
The IBEX standard Molex 5pin 1.25mm pinout is:
| 1 | MCLR/Vpp |
| 2 | +5V |
| 3 | Gnd |
| 4 | RB7/PGD |
| 5 | RB6/PGC |
In the picture below pin 1 is on the right:
Therefore, build cable as follows:
| RJ 6 Pin | Molex 1.25mm |
| 1 | |
| 2 | 5 |
| 3 | 4 |
| 4 | 3 |
| 5 | 2 |
| 6 | 1 |
Keep the overall cable length short (<=100mm).
