How to connect any PICkit to a microcontroller

To program a microcontroller, you will need a tool such as the PICkit. This device links the IDE from the computer with the microcontroller, usually by a USB port. Continue reading to learn how to connect a PICkit 4 or any other PICkit to the microcontroller.

Do you know what are the requirements for programming a microcontroller? Here you will find a fresh guide to start; click in the link below:

https://www.techzorro.com/blog/requirements-pic-microcontrollers/

USB Cable

I will use for this tutorial the PICkit 4. If you have the PICkit 3, it will work equally good. Connect the PICkit to the computer with the included USB cable. Notice that PICkit 3 uses mini-USB-B and PICkit 4 uses micro-USB-B.

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How is the Microcontroller placed?

Is the microcontroller connected to a breadboard (left) or to a PCB (right)?

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How to connect PICkit in a Breadboard? Use Jumper Cables

If the microcontroller is placed in a breadboard, then I recommend that you connect them with jumper cables o wires like ones below. They have to be 5 male-male units and at least 2,5cm long.

How to connect PICkit in a PCB? Use Pin Headers

If the microcontroller is already in the PCB, then it might be good idea to plug it with a pin header. It can be either soldered or unsoldered. It provides better mechanical grip than with jumper cables. (The square copper pad indicates the first pin).

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How to connect the pins from the PICkit

From all connections or pins available in the PICkit, you will need only 5:

1. MCLR: Master Clear.
2. VDD: The power source (5V or 3.3V); the positive ‘ + ‘.
3. VSS: The ground (GND) of the circuit; the negative ‘ – ’.
4. PGD: The programming data from the PICkit.
5. PGC: The programming clock from the PICkit.

Pick your PICkit up. To find out which is which, refer to the following images.

Both images were taken from the PICkit 3 and PICkit 4 User Guides, respectively.

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Matching the Correct Pins

This pins from the PICkit must be connected to the same pins of the microcontroller (for example, the PIC16F628A is pictured below).

The red arrows indicate the pins that must be connected near the microcontroller. The green arrows indicate the pins that can be connected to the power bus.

1. The MCLR from the PICkit must be connected to the RA5/MCLR/Vpp pin, which corresponds to the pin 4 of the microcontroller.
2. The VDD (or in the 5V+ power bus) from the PICkit must be connected to VDD which corresponds to the pin 14 of the microcontroller. (Some microcontrollers have more than 1 power pin).
3. The VSS (or in the GND power bus) from the PICkit must be connected to VSS which corresponds to the pin 5 . (Some microcontrollers have more than 1 power pin).
4. The PGD from the PICkit must be connected to the RB7/T1OSI/PGD pin, which corresponds to the pin 13.
5. The PGC from the PICkit must be connected to the RB6/T1OSO/T1CKI/PGC which corresponds to the pin 12.

Examples

In the pictures below you will find examples of connecting the PICkit with microcontrollers.

PIC16F628A in a breadboard

Next Chapter

Now you need to set up everything with MPLAB IDE; the program where you will write your code for the microcontroller. Follow the link below:

https://www.techzorro.com/blog/requirements-mplab/

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