In Circuit Serial Programming
This programmer is capable of doing In Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP).
ICSP allows you to program a PICmicro® that is already plugged into it’s target
circuit. That is, the chip does not need to be in the programmer socket to
program it.
The circuits on the following page give some ICSP connection examples.
ICSP programming needs to have control of two PIC pins which are used for
Clock and Data. These are usually PORTB pins RB6 and RB7. It also needs to
control the MCLR pin and the VCC pin(s). A common ground connection must
also be made.
In some cases the ICSP programmer cannot reliably control the programming
pins on the PIC because of any connections to these pins that form part of your
circuit. Voltage rise times can be critical for programming and if your circuit draws
too much current, or has a high capacitive load then ICSP may not work.
If your target circuit draws more than around 60mA, or your circuit is not suitable
for an external 5 volt supply. then your circuit will need to supply the 5 volt power.
In this case leave the VccP wire disconnected. Some PIC chips need to have the
5 volt rail specifically controlled, and will not be able to be programmed with the
VccP wire disconnected. The 16F675 is one example.
Not all circuits will accept ICSP programming, so if you cannot get the chip to
program properly using this mode, then the only options are to totally isolate the
PIC on the target board, or just use the programming socket.
Be aware that incorrect connections between your circuit and the ICSP
connector may cause damage to both your circuit and the programmer.
Please note that LVP programming is not supported.
