Proton BASIC Community

Hi,

I always uses my trusty and FAST Pickit2, but in need for more Speed and memory with projects i am switching to the 33CK devices.. So, can't use the Pickit2 for that. So now i am stuck with the Pickit3 and MPLAB IPE tools.. And it is soooooo, so slow.. PK3CMD, IPECMD, even IPECMDBOOST command utility is just taking at least 20+ seconds for a test program. The horror when looking ahead when programsize increases..

So, does anyone has a good idea or alternative to get theese 33CK devices programmed with some decent speed ? The fun of programming is taking a hit with this kind of slowness..

Hope someone has a good alternative, in programmer or programmer software.

Thanks !

I bought a PicKit4 for the 33dsp devices. It's clunky but it does the job. Not a patch on Pickit2.

Charlie

Northern software supports the CK

Quotehttps://www.northernsoftware.com/dev/

. I have one, super quick. You can buy just the pre programmed IC or the whole programmer.

Maybe PicKit+ also.

There was a super quick replacement for MPLAB. Some users on the old forum purchased it and were very happy with its programming speed with the PICkit3.
This post might prompt someone's better than my memory.
John

Quote from: John Drew on Sep 27, 2021, 11:06 AMSome users on the old forum purchased it and were very happy with its programming speed with the PICkit3.

Were you perhaps= thinking of the PICKitPlus software? If so it does not appear to currently support the PIC33CK devices.

For mass production we always use the promate 3. In the past we have used PICKIT X and have had severe issues with PIC10F series at temperature extremes or after accelerated lie testing where code retention and corruption occurred.  At the time Microchip refused to be accountable but did help to resolve the issue but the main statement was that other than the Promate all other programmers are "Development programmers" and not for mass production.  Since then its promate or programmed by manufacturer.  Promate is very flexible and easy to use.  For ultimate speed gang programming can used.

Presto or Forte programmers from asix.tech are fab. They can also be ganged for bulk programming as well.

Tim.

Quote from: towlerg on Sep 27, 2021, 08:28 AMNorthern software supports the CK . I have one, super quick. You can buy just the pre programmed IC or the whole programmer.

Thanks to all for the fast replies. Good to see there is hope for better speeds.. I looked into the programmers from Northern Software on their website and looks very promissing. Will order one later this day..

Jonw makes a good point, re. having Microchip provide preprogrammed devices. BTW single voltage programming is a LOT quicker than the other one (what is that called?)

diebobo

Do you utilize a development board or how do you connect to the surface mount PIC33CK device?

Quote from: normnet on Oct 03, 2021, 07:01 AMdiebobo

Do you utilize a development board or how do you connect to the surface mount PIC33CK device?

I made a custom development board for the chip.. Some buttons and LED's, serial connection, rotary encoder, rest of the IO's made available to double header and solder pads. Not workin yet, waiting till new programmer arives

See attached quick made photo..

Quote from: diebobo on Oct 03, 2021, 05:22 PMI made a custom development board for the chip.. Some buttons and LED's, serial connection, rotary encoder, rest of the IO's made available to double header and solder pads. Not workin yet, waiting till new programmer arives

See attached quick made photo..

I purchased a plug in module but need to find smaller gauge leads to insert into the headers.

diebobo

Your proto board looks good which USB - Serial Chip are you using, looks like the CP2102?

Regards
Craig

Quote from: Craig on Oct 03, 2021, 06:01 PMdiebobo

Your proto board looks good which USB - Serial Chip are you using, looks like the CP2102?

Regards
Craig

Thanks ! and yes it is the CP2101.. My first USB-C + CP2101 attempt, so far seems to be working.. Normally i used the FT232RL but that chip just is to expensive now a days + didn't want to go to the CH340 kinda chips.

Quote from: normnet on Oct 03, 2021, 05:37 PMI purchased a plug in module but need to find smaller gauge leads to insert into the headers.

Whoops, missed your reply there... Soecific reason you didn't go with the base developmentboard which is used with that ?

Quote from: diebobo on Oct 05, 2021, 07:51 AMWhoops, missed your reply there... Soecific reason you didn't go with the base developmentboard which is used with that ?

The development board is populated with motor control circuitry in place of a general purpose board with good pin access.

The SNAP board is the fastest board available for programming all of the PIC chips.  I use a lot of the 33CK and 33CH parts right now, and use the SNAP exclusively for programming and debugging those.  I have the original REAL ICE and that works, but is slow.  The new ICD4 also works and is fast, but not as fast as the SNAP.  The SNAP takes about 2 seconds to program 0xB0000 of code size in the 512 version.

Quote from: JimDrew on Oct 10, 2021, 10:52 AMThe SNAP board is the fastest board available for programming all of the PIC chips.  I use a lot of the 33CK and 33CH parts right now, and use the SNAP exclusively for programming and debugging those.  I have the original REAL ICE and that works, but is slow.  The new ICD4 also works and is fast, but not as fast as the SNAP.  The SNAP takes about 2 seconds to program 0xB0000 of code size in the 512 version.

Does it use the dreadful mplabx programming interface, fortunately for my mental health I've managed to unremembered it's name. But whatever it is may it be eternally cursed. Post rant, I have to admit it really is cheap.

Question answered.

Quote from: towlerg on Oct 10, 2021, 12:01 PMDoes it use the dreadful mplabx programming interface, fortunately for my mental health I've managed to unremembered it's name. But whatever it is may it be eternally cursed. Post rant, I have to admit it really is cheap.

Well, I use the MPLABX IDE myself with the SNAP, but I have also used the MPLABX IPE for doing some quick bulk programming of completed boards.