LEAP PStart

• Low-cost Development Kit Supports PIC 14000, PIC 16/17 MCU´s
• Operates with PC-compatible host system running Windows under MPLAB environment
• Able to upgrade software from LEAP or Microchip internetserver
• Reads, programs, verifies EPROM and EEPROM program and data memory
• Reads, programs, verifies all configuration bits
• Programs, verifies and adress range
• Displays, edits, and transfers device contents to and from programmer unit
• MPLAB Project support automatically download object file to PSTART plus
• MPASM Assembler translates assembler source code to object code for all PIC 16/17 devices
• MPLAB-SIM Windows based simulator designed to model operation of all PIC 16/17 microcontrollers
• Complete with RS-232 cable, 9 Volt universal IEC power supply and power cable and the MPLAB Integrated

• Dimension: 16cm x 11cm x 4.5cm
• Weight: 0.5 kgs
• Temperature: +5°C to +45°C
• Humidity: up to 90% non-condensing
• Altitude: up to 5000m

Full range Adaptors

The following documents may be found on Leap Electronics website or MPLAB IDE CD-ROM:

·         PICSTART Plus User's Guide                       DS51028

·         PICSTART Plus Upgrade Kit Brief                DS51405

·         Programming Specifications for devices      various DS numbers

·         Development Tools Selector

On-line help (Help>Topics) is also available for this tool:

·         Programmers>PICSTART Plus                                 hlpPSPlus.chm

The following is a list of known problems. For information on common problems, error messages and limitations, please see “Troubleshooting” in the online help file for PICSTART Plus (hlpPSPlus.chm).

Some devices require that a 0.1uF bypass capacitor be placed from the VDD pin to the VSS pin of the device to successfully program the device. Also, pin 7 must be shorted to pin 20 (VDD to AVDD). If programming failures still arise, try increasing this value incrementally to a maximum of 10uF. A low ESR capacitor such as a tantalum is recommended. The parts affected are:

PIC10F220        PIC10F222        PIC16F737        PIC16F747       

PIC16F767        PIC16F777        PIC18F2220      PIC18F2320     

PIC18F2410      PIC18F2420      PIC18F2455      PIC18F2480     

PIC18F2510      PIC18F2515      PIC18F2520      PIC18F2525     

PIC18F2550      PIC18F2580      PIC18F2585      PIC18F2610     

PIC18F2620      PIC18F2680      PIC18F4220      PIC18F4320     

PIC18F4410      PIC18F4420      PIC18F2331      PIC18F2431     

PIC18F4331      PIC18F4431      PIC18F4455      PIC18F4480     

PIC18F4510      PIC18F4515      PIC18F4520      PIC18F4525     

PIC18F4550      PIC18F4580      PIC18F4585      PIC18F4610     

PIC18F4620      PIC18F4680      PIC18F4682

For devices such as the 18Fxx31 which have power supply (Vdd and AVdd) and ground (Vss and AVss), all pins must be used in order for these devices to program.

SSR 19753: EEPROM is not being erased on some devices, such as the PIC16F62X/62XA, PIC16F648A, PIC16F8X/8XA, and PIC16F87X/87XA.

• Once address ranges are set in the Programmer Settings dialog, Program tab, the settings will stay set and not revert to default values after an operation.
• For all memory except configuration bits (that are not code protected), you may program from 1 to 0, but not from 0 to 1, i.e., you must erase and then program.
• With PIC18F8xxx devices set in boot block processor mode, memory past the boot block range is not accessible. Therefore, verifying after the boot block range will fail in this mode. In microprocessor mode, all of program memory will fail a verify.

PIC10F2xx devices are currently available in a 6-pin SOT 23 and 8-pin DIP packages.  The following setup is required for use with the PICSTART Plus:

6-pin SOT 23 options:

1.       PIC10F2xx Universal Programmer Adapter (AC163020) with the 16-pin Adapter socket on the reverse side:  Using the male-male stand-off headers, align pin one as viewed from the top silk screen with pin one of the 40-pin ZIFF socket on the PICSTART Plus. Please see "AC163020 pin 1 guide" (DS51478).

2.       PIC10F2xx SOT-23 to DIP-8 Programmer Adapter (AC163021):  Using the pin one pad (square solder pad), align the pad with pin one of the 40-pin ZIFF socket on the PICSTART Plus. Please see "AC163021 pin 1 guide" (DS51479).

8-pin DIP options:

1.       PIC10F2xx Universal Programmer Adapter (AC163020) with the 18-pin Adapter socket on the reverse side:  Using the male-male stand-off headers, align pin one as viewed from the top silk screen with pin one of the 40-pin ZIFF socket on the PICSTART Plus. Please see "AC163020 pin 1 guide" (DS51478).

2.       Align Pin 1 of the 10F2xx DIP-8 package to Pin 9 of the PICSTART Plus.

You can program rfPIC12C509Ax devices using PICSTART Plus by creating an adapter that will connect the top 8 pins (4 pins on each side) to the PICSTART Plus (socket pins 1-4 and 37-40).  This will allow you to program the PIC12C509A part of the device.  ONLY connect the top 8 pins for proper operation.  Once you have created the adapter, you will be able to select the rfPIC12C509Ax part from the PICSTART Plus programming dialog on MPLAB IDE. Then follow normal programming procedures.

From ETN #22:

Symptom: PIC16C55A, PIC16C57C, PIC16F57 and MCV28A devices do not verify correctly using the PICSTART Plus. When a blank device is read, program memory values of 0xBFF are reported.

Problem: The OSC2 pin on the PIC16C55A, PIC16C57C, PIC16F57 and MCV28A tries to overdrive RB6. This causes invalid voltage levels for verification.

Solution: To program the PIC16C55A, PIC16C57C, PIC16F57 and MCV28A in DIP packages on a PICSTART Plus, a modified adapter must be used. The adapter can be created using a 28- or 40-pin ZIF, LIF or standard socket by cutting the connector pin that corresponds to pin 26 the device.  After creating this modified adapter, secure the device in the adapter, then place the modified adapter in the PICSTART Plus. This adapter should only be used when programming these devices.

When programming a PIC16F818 or PIC16F819, you must add a 1kohm resistor between MCLR and GND. This can be placed in the socket with the device.

To program these devices using the PICSTART Plus programmer, you need to build an adapter that will make the part look like the 40-pin PIC18CXXX devices. The device pins below should be attached to the PICSTART Plus as noted. (ETN #23)

Note: You must connect all Vdd/Vss lines on the devices, as all are needed to power the chip correctly.

Not supported on PICSTART Plus. Supported only on MPLAB ICD 2.