7. Programming using the PICkit 3
Warning:
Using a PICkit to program the P-Star will permanently erase its USB bootloader,
so you will not be able to program it over USB using the Pololu USB Bootloader Utility. It will
also erase the serial number of the device.
The
[http://www.microchip.com/pickit3]
from Microchip is a hardware debugger and programmer
for PIC microcontrollers that can be used to program the P-Star.
The PICkit 3 has a female header with six pins. Five of these pins need to be connected to the P-Star
in order to program it:
• Pin 1 of the PICkit 3, which is indicated with a triangle on the PICkit’s case, connects to the
P-Star’s MCLR pin.
• Pin 2 connects to VDD.
• Pin 3 connects to GND.
• Pin 4 connects to RB7 (also known as PGD).
• Pin 5 connects to RB6 (also known as PGC).
• Pin 6 should be left unconnected.
In addition to making these connections, the P-Star must also be powered (the PICkit 3 does not
supply power).
The picture below shows one way to connect a P-Star to a PICkit 3. An upwards-pointing 1×4 male
header is soldered to VDD, GND, RB7, and RB6. These pins are connected to the PICkit 3 with
[https://www.pololu.com/category/67/male-female-premium-jumper-wires]
. The
MCLR pin is connected to the PICkit 3 through the breadboard and a
[https://www.pololu.com/category/68/male-male-premium-jumper-wires]
. The PICkit 3 must be connected
via USB to a computer, and the P-Star needs to be powered either from its USB port or from the VIN
pin. The picture below shows a P-Star 25K50 Micro, but the same setup could be used with P-Star
45K50 Mini as well, since the 5 ICSP pins are in the same position.
Pololu P-Star User’s Guide
© 2001–2019 Pololu Corporation
7. Programming using the PICkit 3
Page 33 of 46
