PICKIT 3 Programming 16F876A - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: g0mgx
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2019, 01:47:52 pm
content: HI All,I am trying to program a 16F876A from a pre-built hex file using MPLAB X IPE V5.15 and an eBay sourced (ripped off) PIC KIT 3 with ZIF socket.I have the IPE configured to "power target device from tool" and I am certain all the ZIP socket board jumpers are correct.When I try to Connect to the PICKIT (which is listed in the IPE) I get "Target device was not found (could not detect target voltage VDD). You must connect to a target device to use PICkit 3."So quite clearly, I dont know what I am doing.I've got an old Olimex board which emulates a PICSTART and that works with the old IDE - but I would really like to get the PICKIT working.Can anyone help? This should be "Like falling off a log" - out of interest, how hard is it to fall off a log?Many thanksMarkG0MGX

author: Buriedcode
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2019, 01:50:49 pm
content: Well, it would help to narrow it down to either the device, the programmer (your PICkit 3) or the host software. Does the PICkit3 work with other (newer) devices? Is the PICkit3 actually powering the target? Lots of variables.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2019, 04:52:24 pm
content: OK, are you using ICSP or the ZIF socket?Can you verify the connectons between the 5 pins on the chip and the programmer or is it some integrated thing?Have you another chip? (Happy to post you one, I have many, if you want one programmed with the .hex then I can do that too)Text below is from a quick lash up on a breadboard:Code:Device ID is unavailable for this device*****************************************************Connecting to MPLAB PICkit 3...Currently loaded firmware on PICkit 3Firmware Suite Version.....01.50.04 *Firmware type..............MidrangeTarget device was not found (could not detect target voltage VDD). You must connect to a target device to use PICkit 3.*****************************************************At this point I enabled "Power Target Circuit from tool"Code:Connecting to MPLAB PICkit 3...Currently loaded firmware on PICkit 3Firmware Suite Version.....01.55.01Firmware type..............MidrangeProgrammer to target power is enabled - VDD = 5.000000 volts.Target device PIC16F876A found.Device Revision ID = 8Reading...The following memory area(s) will be read:program memory: start address = 0x0, end address = 0x1fffconfiguration memoryEEData memoryUser Id MemoryRead completeSo, with a genuine PICKit3 and a very rough lashup it works as expected and would seem to be the same procedure that you've followed so I suspect your hardware config and/or chip is at fault rather than anything you've done wrong in the setup, has it ever worked?

author: g0mgx
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2019, 06:39:49 pm
content: I have tried measuring the voltage on the PIC pins in the ZIP socket and I think that is the problem.The VPP line goes to +5V during the connect process for 12ms then back to 0V.The VDD and VSS lines are at 0V permanently.I dont know what they should be or what correct looks like.Mark

author: g0mgx
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2019, 06:46:56 pm
content: Hi CjayNo - I have never managed to get this programmer to work.What you have done is exactly what I am trying to do, I am using a ZIF socket board which plugs directly into the 5 pin socket on the PICKIT3. eBay has loads of these type of sets with the PICKIT 3 and the ZIF board together for 3 bob and a conker.It took me quite a while to figure out that I had to "power target circuit from tool", but still no joy.Can you tell me what voltages you see on the VPP pin (pin 1) during the connect sequence?Many thanksMark

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2019, 08:13:35 pm
content: If I remember the programming process correctly you can put a running chip into reset, apply VPP and release it from reset and it should come up in programming mode but it does need VDD to be present so if you're not seeing 5V on VDD then I reckon that's your problem.

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2019, 10:20:03 pm
content: Might be too much current draw for the programmer. But I am surprised this does not result in a "Vdd error"."target Vdd not found" suggests your software is expecting the circuit to supply the Vdd.In any case, the first thing I would do is to forget your PIC-w/e PCB and just wire the chip directly to the programmer, then repeat your attempt. Always being sure that "supply power to target" is selected.Another thing to try is to power the chip on a breadboard with 5V, then try it again. With the appropriate setting, of course. "Power supplied by target."Also, the first first thing I would do with any pickit3 is a manual firmware suite update. I don't remember where it is in the IPE menu. You might have to dig around a little until you find it. Something like "update firmware, manually." Even though the PICKit3 will automatically update firmware for the device family you select (i.e. if you select PIC24 device and try it again, you will watch the firmware automatically switch over for that family), I have found that the manual update can be necessary to do, the first time you use a PICKit3, whether or not it is genuine.Last ditch:You can also get different versions of the firmware suite by downloading different versions of IDE/IPE. It's stored as a .jar file in a folder called PK3, IIRC. Your programmer might come to life if you try some older versions. To be clear, these various reversions of the .jar file can be selected when you do a manual firmware update if you copy older/newer ones into your PK3 folder (or if you otherwise can navigate to them during the manual update to where you have stored them).