Processor Upgrade Kit
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
“Read First”
This package contains the latest software and documentation
available at the time the system was assembled. This information
may have been superseded by updates.
To verify that you have received the latest software version(s),
please contact the Microchip web site at:
http://www.microchip.com
or call our systems information and upgrade line at:
1-800-755-2345 US and Canada
1-480-792-7302 Worldwide
Introduction
Microchip is pleased to provide the enclosed processor upgrade kit
for the PICSTART® Plus programmer. This kit enables the
PICSTART Plus programmer to be easily reprogrammed and
provides sufficient internal resources to support future Microchip
devices.
The PICSTART Plus Processor Upgrade PCB replaces the
existing PIC17C44 microcontroller in the U21 socket inside the
PICSTART Plus enclosure. Once this processor upgrade is
installed, it will no longer be necessary to open the PICSTART Plus
programmer, burn a new device, and replace the microcontroller in
the socket to upgrade the firmware. Future firmware upgrades can
be accomplished by using MPLAB IDE software to reprogram the
FLASH memory of the microcontroller on this upgrade PC board
via the existing serial port.
The PICSTART Plus Programmer can be upgraded using MPLAB
IDE v6.40 or greater.
2003 Microchip Technology Inc.
DS51405B-page 1
PICSTART® Plus Processor Upgrade Kit
Installing the PICSTART Plus Processor Upgrade
Required Equipment
To install the processor upgrade, the following are needed:
• PICSTART Plus Processor Upgrade module (supplied with kit)
• Phillips head screwdriver
Installation
1.
2.
3.
4.
Disconnect the PICSTART Plus programmer from the
computer serial port and power supply.
Carefully remove the four Phillips head screws from the back
of the PICSTART Plus programmer. Remove the back cover.
Carefully remove the PIC17C44 microcontroller from the U21
socket. This part will no longer be needed for the PICSTART
Plus programmer.
Carefully insert the PICSTART Plus Processor Upgrade Kit
into the U21 socket, making sure that Pin 1 is properly
oriented (Pin 1 should be close to the serial port connector).
PICSTART® Plus Development Programmer PCB
(component side)
J2
J1
PICSTART Plus
Processor Upgrade Kit
Pin 1 (on component
side of upgrade kit)
Serial
Port
Cnx
M
5.
6.
7.
Replace the back cover making sure to align the hole in the
Processor Upgrade Kit with the plastic support in the back
cover.
Insert the Phillips head screws into the holes in the back cover.
Carefully tighten each screw slowly as the plastic housing can
be damaged if too much torque is applied to the screws.
Reconnect the PICSTART Plus programmer to the computer
serial port and power supply.
DS51405B-page 2
2003 Microchip Technology Inc.
PICSTART® Plus Processor Upgrade Kit
Checking the PICSTART Plus Update Using
MPLAB IDE v6.xx
1.
2.
3.
Start MPLAB IDE v6.xx software and select Programmer>
Select Programmer>PICSTART Plus to select the PICSTART
Plus programmer. Select View>Output to open the Output
window.
Select Programmer>Enable Programmer to begin using the
PICSTART Plus programmer.
Select Programmer>About to display the current
PICSTART Plus firmware version in the MPLAB Output
window.
Checking the PICSTART Plus Update Using
MPLAB IDE v5.xx
1.
2.
Start MPLAB IDE v5.xx software and enable the PICSTART
Plus programmer.
As the programmer is being enabled, the dialog box will
indicate the PICSTART Plus firmware version.
Technical Support
480-792-7627
Atlanta
Tel: 770-640-0034
Australia
Tel: 61-2-9868-6733
Tel: 886-2-2717-7175
Boston
Tel: 978-692-3848
China - Chengdu
Tel: 86-28-86766200
Chicago
Tel: 630-285-0071
China - Fuzhou
Tel: 86-591-7503506
Dallas
Tel: 972-818-7423
China - Hong Kong
SAR
Tel: 852-2401-1200
Detroit
Tel: 248-538-2250
Kokomo
Tel: 765-864-8360
Los Angeles
Tel: 949-263-1888
Phoenix
Tel: 480-792-7966
San Jose
Tel: 408-436-7950
Toronto
Tel: 905-673-0699
China - Beijing
Tel: 86-10-85282100
Taiwan-Kaohsiung
Tel: 886-7-536-4818
EUROPE
Austria
Tel: 43-7242-2244-399
Denmark
Tel: 45-4420-9895
France
Tel: 33-1-69-53-63-20
China-Qingdao
Tel: 86-532-5027355
Germany
Tel: 49-89-627-144-0
China-Shanghai
Tel: 86-21-6275-5700
Italy
Tel: 39-0331-742611
China-Shenzhen
Tel: 86-755-82901380
Netherlands
Tel: 31-416-690399
China-Shunde
Tel: 86-765-8395507
United Kingdom
Tel: 44-118-921-5869
India
Tel: 91-80-2290061
8/4/03
Japan
Tel: 81-45-471- 6166
Korea
Tel: 82-2-554-7200
Singapore
Tel: 65-6334-8870
Microchip received QS-9000 quality system certification for
its worldwide headquarters, design and wafer fabrication
facilities in Chandler and Tempe, Arizona in July 1999 and
Mountain View, California in March 2002. The Company’s
quality system processes and procedures are QS-9000
compliant for its PICmicro® 8-bit MCUs, KEELOQ® code
hopping devices, Serial EEPROMs, microperipherals,
non-volatile memory and analog products. In addition,
Microchip’s quality system for the design and manufacture
of development systems is ISO 9001 certified.