| A Programmer | ||
| Links Mentioned Newfoundland APP-I APP-II LudiPipo LudiPipo Files Another LudiPipo Windows Ludi S/W
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 If you use the APP-II, you don't need a programmer at all! You just send your PIC program directly to the APP-II (similar to the way you download a program to the Stamp). You can use any terminal program you like including Hyperterminal which comes with Windows. The APP-II can also act as programmer for several PIC chips including the PIC16F877A, PIC16F876A, PIC16F874A, and the PIC16F873A (see http://www.al-williams.com/app2pgm.htm for details). If you want to burn 16F84s, you will need a programmer of some sort. Everyone has their favorite. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket you can buy the Microchip PICStart which runs about $200 last time I checked. Luckily, an Australian comany -- Newfoundland -- makes a compatible programmer that does everything the Microchip programmer does and then some for $100. The advantage to this sort of programmer is that you can use it directly with MPLAB (see the next section). Also, both programmers program a wide range of parts. To just get started, however, you might look at something less expensive. If you already use a Stamp, you might be interested in our APP-I kit which uses a Stamp to program a PIC (16F84). You often hear about low parts count programmers, but many of them aren't really all that low in parts count. However, my first PIC programmer was wired with alligator clips in about 5 minutes! I used the LudiPipo programmer when I got started. This programmer uses a serial port to program the part so you don't need anything other than a 5V supply. It is hard to find English information on the LudiPipo, but the links to the left will help you out. Most of the schematics show a 78L05 or a 5V zener to power the chip from the serial port. I don't bother with that. I just use a 5V bench supply. Works great and cuts down on the parts even further. Don't try to use a LudiPipo with a very long cable, though and odd serial ports may have trouble. So if you are using a 5V bench supply, here are the connections you need to an 16F84 (or 16F84A):
Consult the schematics for more information (whoops -- R1 is 2.2K, R2 is 22K). Again, if you use the 5V supply, you don't need the zener, capacitor, or the associated parts. That's all you need - A DB9, three resistors, and an IC socket. You don't need a crystal or resonator for programming. This tutorial assumes you are using the APP-II which doesn't require a programmer at all! In future frames you'll see exactly how to download your program to the APP-II.
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