Bootloader on pic18f4550 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: House91320
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2010, 03:21:43 am
content: Dose any one know how to program the bootloader onto a pic18f4550.

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2010, 09:10:30 am
content: You need a hardware programmer, or an ICSP programmer. Then you just flash the bootloader hex onto your 4550.If you are trying to compile the MicroChip bootloader, you'll need the full version of the C programmer (not the LITE or Student versions) or the compiled code won't fit into the bootspace (0x800 for MCHPUSB bootloader and 0x1000 for the HID bootloader)

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2010, 04:40:39 pm
content: Theds30Loaderis flexible and supports a wide range of PICs. Load files aren't too difficult to create and you can customize clock speed, baud rate and fuse settings.Load files for several configurations of the PIC18F25k20are here.

author: House91320
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2010, 04:55:09 pm
content: Is there a way to do it trough usb

author: osmosis321
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2010, 07:06:41 pm
content: Quote from: House91320 on December 05, 2010, 04:55:09 pmNo. The PIC can't do ANYTHING until it has a program in it. ICSP is the only way.

author: House91320
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2010, 07:15:34 pm
content: can i use the arduinos usb to serial converter

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2010, 07:32:48 pm
content: You must use a PIC programmer to get the loader code into the PIC. After that, it can be programmed using USB.A PICkit 2 or PICkit 3 is the way to go for programming PICs. Avoid the JDM-design programmers using a serial port - they are just not reliable with modern serial ports or USB-serial adapters.Depending on where you're at, somebody may be willing to load the boatloader code for you.

author: TechGuy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2010, 03:39:26 pm
content: QuoteThe ICSP2 or ISCP3 has USB support. You buy the ICSP2/3 from Microchip or a distributor. You connect the ICSP to your computer via USB and install the PIC IDE and ICSP driver. Than you connect the ICSP pins to your PIC controller using the ICSP pins (MCLR, GND, PGM, PGC, and PGD) so you can program and debug your code. The ICSP is an in-circuit programmer/debugger, You don't have to remove the PIC from the circuit to program it.

author: CryptLordGR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2010, 04:47:18 pm
content: ICSP2/3...? ICSP is the protocol not the device. Did you mean in the whole post the PICkit2/3??

author: osmosis321
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2010, 05:49:56 pm
content: Quote from: TechGuy on December 06, 2010, 03:39:26 pmIt sounds like you have a different idea of the problem than I do. I thought he was trying to get a bootloader onto a PIC through some kind of USB interface run by the PIC, yet the PIC can't run a USB with no code.Can't be done. Spend $30 and get a PicKit.

author: TechGuy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 01:03:20 am
content: Quote from: osmosis321 on December 06, 2010, 05:49:56 pmI don't know. Perhaps he was thinking of the old programmers to program mcu, where you had to remove the MCU and place in in programmer. I figure I would describe how ICSP programming works.

author: House91320
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 02:31:19 am
content: I am going to build a jdm programmer and use a usb to serial converter.

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 05:38:23 am
content: Quote from: Jon Chandler on December 05, 2010, 07:32:48 pmQuote from: House91320 on December 07, 2010, 02:31:19 amI really don't say these things just to see myself type. I can point you towards many pages of forum posts where people have tried and failed to make JDM programmers work. If you are really, really lucky you'll happen on one of the USB-serial converters that do work, but most of them do not.

author: House91320
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2010, 11:27:35 pm
content: sorry i ment to say i am going to use my other computer with a serial port

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2010, 04:42:21 am
content: Quote from: House91320 on December 07, 2010, 02:31:19 amQuote from: House91320 on December 07, 2010, 11:27:35 pmi translate both quote as the same semantics.