Title: PIC16f1507 Pickit2 support
Post by: dolabra on October 29, 2011, 05:35:22 am
Post by: dolabra on October 29, 2011, 05:35:22 am
I am starting a small project to see if I can add support to the pickit2 for the pic16f1507 part. I bought a few of them because they were cheap and they have programmable logic cells which I thought might be fun to play with. I looked at them long enough to decide to buy them, but not long enough to realize that the pickit2 does not support them. I am hoping that I can hack in some support for them, with a little luck maybe all I have to to is add an entry to the device file.
The chips I bought were SSOP package, I don't know if that was the only package available or if I was blinded by price, but I didn't even know if I could make a board for an SSOP package. So this is my first task. I'm making a simple breakout board with an ISCP header and the rest of the pins brought out to pins. I make boards with the toner transfer method and I have often had problems with find pitch packages.
My first few attempts didn't transfer well, I tried all the usual things, glossy paper, transparencies etc. and all I got was a big black blob where the chip was supposed to be. So I went in the opposite direction a tried some blank newsprint that I have. The image transferred very well, it took high heat and a very long soak to make it work but the image was very good. However the board didn't come out too well, all of the SSOP pins were shorted. Here is a picture of it.
So I modified the package definition in eagle to make the pads smaller so there would be more space between them. I was hoping that the toner would spread out a bit to make the pad about the right size. It worked pretty well. Here is the results:
this board was much better, there were two minor shorts, but they were easily solved with a razor. I went ahead and soldered the pic onto the board and a ICSP header, soldering went pretty well, much better than I expected. Here is a pic:
My last thing for tonight was to plug it into the pickit2 to see what happened. All that happened was that the pickit2 recognized it as an unsupported device with an ID= 2D00 -- which is the correct number, so I think all the basics are in place.
My secrets to success so far were:
1. stay away for glossy paper, the traces have a tendency to spread out too much when ironed onto the board.
2. used newsprint
3. be patient for a good long soak to get the news print off. I put a little vinegar in the water to help break down the paper --- maybe it helped
4.lots and lots and lots of flux to drag solder the SSOP package.
Hopefully more tomorrow.
The chips I bought were SSOP package, I don't know if that was the only package available or if I was blinded by price, but I didn't even know if I could make a board for an SSOP package. So this is my first task. I'm making a simple breakout board with an ISCP header and the rest of the pins brought out to pins. I make boards with the toner transfer method and I have often had problems with find pitch packages.
My first few attempts didn't transfer well, I tried all the usual things, glossy paper, transparencies etc. and all I got was a big black blob where the chip was supposed to be. So I went in the opposite direction a tried some blank newsprint that I have. The image transferred very well, it took high heat and a very long soak to make it work but the image was very good. However the board didn't come out too well, all of the SSOP pins were shorted. Here is a picture of it.
So I modified the package definition in eagle to make the pads smaller so there would be more space between them. I was hoping that the toner would spread out a bit to make the pad about the right size. It worked pretty well. Here is the results:
this board was much better, there were two minor shorts, but they were easily solved with a razor. I went ahead and soldered the pic onto the board and a ICSP header, soldering went pretty well, much better than I expected. Here is a pic:
My last thing for tonight was to plug it into the pickit2 to see what happened. All that happened was that the pickit2 recognized it as an unsupported device with an ID= 2D00 -- which is the correct number, so I think all the basics are in place.
My secrets to success so far were:
1. stay away for glossy paper, the traces have a tendency to spread out too much when ironed onto the board.
2. used newsprint
3. be patient for a good long soak to get the news print off. I put a little vinegar in the water to help break down the paper --- maybe it helped
4.lots and lots and lots of flux to drag solder the SSOP package.
Hopefully more tomorrow.
Title: Re: PIC16f1507 Pickit2 support
Post by: dpropicweb on October 29, 2011, 01:37:44 pm
Post by: dpropicweb on October 29, 2011, 01:37:44 pm
There may be good news for PICkit2 support... has just released a new device file for the PICkit2 featuring fixes for the PIC18FxxK22 and adding new device support. Download from http://www.microchip.com/forums/downloa ... e=0;610564 (http://www.microchip.com/forums/download.axd?file=0;610564)
I haven't had an opportunity to check whether the 16F1507 is now supported.
I haven't had an opportunity to check whether the 16F1507 is now supported.
Title: Re: PIC16f1507 Pickit2 support
Post by: dolabra on October 29, 2011, 02:22:23 pm
Post by: dolabra on October 29, 2011, 02:22:23 pm
thanks! It is supported now! I guess that makes my project easier :)