6. September 2011 by admin.

Check out this cool wiki site…http://microchip.wikidot.com/mplab:_start

It has e help center is to provide answers to the most commonly asked questions  to get up to speed with the new IDE as quickly as possible.

What do you think of MPLAB X?

Posted in MPLAB | Print | 1 Comment »

23. March 2011 by admin.

Enter now at http://www.microchip.com/mplabx_contest/Get the MPLAB X Beta at http://www.microchip.com/en_US/family/mplabx/index.html

Posted in Sweepstakes, MPLAB | Print | 1 Comment »

2. February 2011 by admin.

 From http://www.microchip.com/mplabx_contest/via http://www.microchip.com/en_US/family/mplabx/index.html.

MPLAB® X BETA SWEEPSTAKES We appreciate your feedback on MPLAB X and want to reward you for your participation in the MPLAB X User Forum. Enter to win a variety prizes when you complete this sweepstakes form and participate in the MPLAB X User Forum each week! You could win MPLAB X t-shirts, coffee mugs, playing cards and more! Winners will be chosen randomly. Be sure to check the MPLAB X Beta page every Monday to see if you’ve won. Good luck! And thanks for your feedback. We hope you enjoy the new MPLAB X IDE!

Posted in Open Source, Sweepstakes, Microchip, MPLAB, Uncategorized | Print | 1 Comment »

15. February 2010 by admin.

From http://www.microchipc.com/PIC_tips/PIC_tips_1.php

When it comes to compiling files under Hi-Tech C, there are two methods of doing it. One method is to have a single main.c file, and use #include for all the .c files in the project. Call this the ‘one file with multiple #include of c files’ method.

The second method, also the one usually recommended by C programmers, is to have lots of individual .obj files, and link them at the end. Call this the ‘lots of .obj files’ method.

For the ‘one giant file’ method, in MPLab under ‘node properties’, select ‘PIC C compiler’ for the root node. For the ‘lots of .obj files’ method, select ‘PIC C linker’ for the root node.

The advantages of the ‘one file with multiple #include of c files’ method

Produces smaller .hex file for a large compiled program. For the 16F876/7, there is 8k of program, divided into 4 pages. A psect cannot cross a page boundary. Sometimes there is wasted space before the end of each page boundary. Because the linker has access to all the functions at once, it does a really good job of fitting them in. Try it yourself - get a large (~8k, ~5000 line) program, and it will be smaller using this method.

The advantages of the ‘lots of .obj files’ method

• This method supports libraries (ie: in MPLab under ‘Edit Project, the ‘library path’ box is enabled.
• This method supports incremental compiles, which saves a little time, as long as the correct path is entered

What do you think? email support@microchipc.com.

Posted in Tips & Tricks, MPLAB | Print | 1 Comment »

22. January 2010 by admin.

Thanks Don for sending this in.

from: http://www.sivava.com/MPLAB_ICD2.html 

This kit contains the MPLAB ICD2 module, a RJ12 cable, an USB cable and Adapter For PIC (Universal 40-PIN ZIF Socket Programming Module).

Posted in Sivava, ICD, MPLAB | Print | 1 Comment »

20. January 2010 by admin.

From: http://embedded.com/222200285

The Embedded.com European Newsletter is offering its readers the chance to win the new MPLAB Starter Kit for PIC18 Microcontrollers, which contains all of the components, documentation, schematics, debugging and programming capabilities needed to evaluate the high-performance PIC18 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) family in low-power USB and touch-sensing applications.
The MPLAB Starter Kit for PIC18 Microcontrollers includes the Bosch Sensortec BMA150 digital triaxial accelerometer, which enables the PIC18 Starter Kit board to detect acceleration in 3 perpendicular axes for sensing the board’s tilt and motion. The board ships with demo code that enables it to function as a USB mouse or joystick using the accelerometer.

Acceleration on all three axes is used to compute the board tilt, which is then converted to movement of the mouse cursor on the X and Y axes. The accelerometer allows the cursor to move slowly when the board is tilted a small amount, and quickly when there is a steeper tilt.

For your chance to win a Microchip MPLAB Starter Kit for PIC18, visit the competition website and enter your details in the online entry form.

Posted in 8-bit, Embedded Systems Design, PIC, Sweepstakes, Development Tool, Contest, MPLAB | Print | 1 Comment »

17. August 2009 by admin.

Microchip PIC In-Circuit Debugger MPLAB-ICD1B from http://microcontrollershop.com/product_info.php?cPath=112_152&products_id=1856

Fully assembled and tested Microchip PIC In-Circuit Debugger and Programmer

This low-cost development tool providing real time emulation of the PIC16F87x microcontrollers with built-in ICD feature. The board is fully compatible with Microchip’s free MPLAB integrated development environment and is a complete lower-cost replacement of Microchip’s MPLAB-ICD1 In-Circuit Debugger. Note: Only MPLAB versions 5.40 and earlier support the ICD1.

As future device offerings become available, you simply download new software into the PIC-ICD1 at no cost and without the need of hardware upgrades.

Using Microchip’s proprietary In-Circuit Debug functions, programs can be downloaded, executed in real time and examined in detail using the debug features of MPLAB. Watch variables and breakpoints can be set from symbolic labels in C or assembly source code, and single stepping can be done through C source line, assembly code level, or from a mixed C source and generated assembly-level listing. PIC-ICD1 can also be used as a development programmer for PIC MCUs supported by MPLAB’s programming function.

PIC In-Circuit Debugger Features

• Real-time background debugging
• MPLAB IDE compatible (v5.40 and earlier)
• Firmware upgradable from PC
• Supports low-voltage MCUs (2.0 to 6.0 range)
• Diagnostic LEDs (Power, Busy, Error)
• Reading/Writing memory space & stack of target microcontroller
• Erase of program memory space with verification
• Freeze on Halt

This product does not ship with any documentation or software. It functions the same as Microchip’s MPLAB-ICD1, but uses a different PIC ICSP connector (top view). For a complete list of supported PIC microcontroller devices, see the release notes for your version of MPLAB. The newest versions of MPLAB do not support the ICD1. The latest version with ICD1 support is Version 5.40. You can also download the schematic diagram of this product for more information.

Ships from: USA
Leadtime: In stock

Posted in ICD, Microcontroller Pros Corporation, Debugger, MPLAB | Print | 1 Comment »

1. June 2009 by admin.

Check out this PDF: http://techtrain.microchip.com/usmasters/DevToolPriceListMASTERs2009.pdf

If you haven’t been to MASTERs, it’s a 3-day conference that Microchip holds every year. They have a bunch of technical classes. I think last year, there was about 100 offered. I like it because you can spent time learning about new technology, but you can meet the designers in person and ask them questions, like “Why haven’tyou thought of this?”  Ha ha.

 Back to the discounts… MASTERs registration isn’t cheap, but the tools you can buy there are.  They usually offer tools up to 50% off. So if you need to stock your lab with new boards or software, it’s worth the trip to Phoenix. Even it’s 150 degrees in July.

Posted in HI-Tech, Demo Software, Prototyping, Debugger, MASTERs Conference, 8-bit, PIC, Microchip, Development Tool, Limited-time Offer, 32-bit, 16-bit, MPLAB | Print | 2 Comments »

28. May 2009 by admin.

gputils is a collection of tools for Microchip PIC microcontrollers. Its goal is to be fully compatible with Microchip’s tools, MPASM, MPLINK, and MPLIB.

Posted in MPASM, MPLLINK, GNU General Public License (GPL), SourceForge, MPLAB | Print | 1 Comment »

21. May 2009 by admin.

Piklab is an integrated development environment for applications based on PIC and dsPIC microcontrollers. The GNU PIC Utilities, SDCC, PICC, PIC30 toolchain, ICD2 debugger, PICkit1, PICkit2, PicStart+, GPSim and most direct programmers are supported.

Posted in C Programming, Debugger, SourceForge, GNU General Public License (GPL), 8-bit, PIC, Development Tool, dsPIC, 16-bit, MPLAB | Print | 1 Comment »