Microchip unveils high-speed in-circuit debugger

30th October 2008

ES Admin

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Microchip has announced the MPLAB ICD 3 - a cost-effective, high-speed development tool that supports in-circuit programming and debugging of Microchip’s Flash-based 8-bit PIC microcontrollers (MCUs), and its entire line of 16- and 32-bit MCUs and 16-bit dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs). With robust system capabilities and high-speed circuitry, flash MCU programming times are 15X or faster than the current generation, plus the MPLAB ICD 3 offers full compatibility with the MPLAB IDE, exceptional programming speed and reliability.

Key features include up to 1,000 software breakpoints, 2-5.5V operation, a ruggedised target interface for increased protection from over-voltage and over-current, internal memory for program storage, and 100mA of target current support. Future Microchip device firmware support is easily added through updated versions of the MPLAB IDE.

Maintaining backward compatibility with Microchip’s RJ-11 interface, the MPLAB ICD 3 can easily connect to target boards for quick device programming. Further, by integrating this new tool with the free and feature-rich MPLAB IDE, Microchip provides design engineers with a familiar development environment. This integration also serves to shorten the learning curve for customers on the 500-strong PIC MCU and dsPIC DSC portfolios.

The MPLAB ICD 3 includes a diagnostic Test Interface Module to assist users with system troubleshooting and failure isolation, RJ-11 and USB 2.0 cables, a CD containing the MPLAB IDE with full documentation and a reference poster.