New kit announcement, Junebug (PICKit2 & Firefly) - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

blueroomelectronics · 30th September 2007, 03:23 AM

It's a combination simplified PICKit2 clone (5V only) and Firefly 16F88 Tutor (sans the ZIF socket)

Seems the local students want a cheap USB programmer and the PICKit2 design might do the trick. Although it programs and debugs less PICs than an ICD2 like the Inchworm it does program most "popular" PICs and even debugs a handful of them just like an ICD2.

They can be built separately and the the Tutor can be disconnected from the programmer. Here's a preview of the PCB.

blueroomelectronics · 5th October 2007, 02:11 AM

Here's a photo of the PICKit2 prototype (Minimal design) and it works.

And the schematic

**Krumlink** · 5th October 2007, 02:17 AM

Bill the C++ class in the other thread I was talking about would love to have some of these. I know PICS are in C, but they will get over it

There would be about 20 kids, so 20 kits...

Man that is alot of soldering, and I am the best at my School...

I would probably die from soldering that much.

The pic is not me

blueroomelectronics · 5th October 2007, 03:01 AM

Thanks, the prototype now has VPP before VDD and I'm adding the Firefly 16F88 tutor to it. If you want I can send you this PCB when it's done. You can use your Inchworm to program it initially.

A 12 pole dip switch will set all the options including UART and I2C EEPROM (both the 16F88 and PK2 will be able to program the 24LC128, the 16F88 has limited I2C but still does most of the work for you)

I'd be happy if you show it to your class, it's a PIC lab/programmer/debugger that fits in the palm of your hand (exactly same size as the Inchworm PCB).

**Krumlink** · 5th October 2007, 03:05 AM

I dont want to rush you, but when You are finished I would be more than happy to try it out

blueroomelectronics · 5th October 2007, 03:24 AM

To get it right takes a little time, I'll keep everyone updated

I've got to ask Mike if I can use 2N7000 instead of the NPNs to GND. (Avoid the 10K resistor to save space, the PCB is a tight squeeze)

Gayan Soyza · 5th October 2007, 03:33 AM

Hi after a long time to this site.

Bill what was happened to that Giraffe kit is it still under construction?

blueroomelectronics · 5th October 2007, 04:28 AM

Yes, the PK2 was such a eye opener with the release of MPLAB 7.62 that I couldn't resist building (and buying a real PICKit2) because the prototype kept locking up. Turns out the USB port on my laptop was at fault.

All the other kits will appear asap. The Junebug, Cricket, Ladybug then Giraffe. Getting quite a zoo assembled.

Pommie · 5th October 2007, 06:03 AM

Bill,

Do you, or any one else, know what is the purpose of the 2 serial eeproms in the original design?

Mike.

blueroomelectronics · 5th October 2007, 06:44 AM

As far as I know they're saving that for future use. Might be to store a .hex file for remote programming but it's currently not used. I have a I2C EEPROM going onto the kit but it's for the 16F88 / PICKit2 EEPROM programmer function.

Pommie · 5th October 2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueroomelectronics

I have a I2C EEPROM going onto the kit but it's for the 16F88 / PICKit2 EEPROM programmer function.

It's well hidden in the above preview of the PCB.

Mike.

blueroomelectronics · 5th October 2007, 02:48 PM

That's not a current image. I've been tweaking the prototype, and it currently has a huge 12 position DIP switch.

I've come across another PK2 variation called the PICKit2 serial analyzer (it's similar but different hardware in the I/O section) Would be interesting but I've got limited space on the PCB. Will start to use 1/8W resistors and SIP resistors.

Refresh the page for a slightly more recent PCB layout

**Krumlink** · 5th October 2007, 07:22 PM

Bill, I showed the Firefly to that C++/C teacher, and He wants to get a couple to try out. If they work, he will buy 20+ of them.

WHat is a rough price estimation?

blueroomelectronics · 5th October 2007, 07:47 PM

Great, the firefly version with the PK2 will likely be called the Junebug.

Hopefully $45 for the whole kit.

**Krumlink** · 6th October 2007, 02:53 AM

Sweet when can we expect it?

So it is a USB programming board that also has the firefly on it? that is awesome! I cant wait to get one! When you send out the boards and stuff, can you give me a parts list?

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30th September 2007, 03:23 AM	(permalink)
blueroomelectronics	New kit announcement, Junebug (PICKit2 & Firefly) It's a combination simplified PICKit2 clone (5V only) and Firefly 16F88 Tutor (sans the ZIF socket) Seems the local students want a cheap USB programmer and the PICKit2 design might do the trick. Although it programs and debugs less PICs than an ICD2 like the Inchworm it does program most "popular" PICs and even debugs a handful of them just like an ICD2. They can be built separately and the the Tutor can be disconnected from the programmer. Here's a preview of the PCB. __________________ Bill Smart Kits build Smart People http://www.blueroomelectronics.com

5th October 2007, 02:11 AM	(permalink)
blueroomelectronics	Here's a photo of the PICKit2 prototype (Minimal design) and it works. And the schematic __________________ Bill Smart Kits build Smart People http://www.blueroomelectronics.com

5th October 2007, 03:01 AM	(permalink)
blueroomelectronics	Thanks, the prototype now has VPP before VDD and I'm adding the Firefly 16F88 tutor to it. If you want I can send you this PCB when it's done. You can use your Inchworm to program it initially. A 12 pole dip switch will set all the options including UART and I2C EEPROM (both the 16F88 and PK2 will be able to program the 24LC128, the 16F88 has limited I2C but still does most of the work for you) I'd be happy if you show it to your class, it's a PIC lab/programmer/debugger that fits in the palm of your hand (exactly same size as the Inchworm PCB). __________________ Bill Smart Kits build Smart People http://www.blueroomelectronics.com

5th October 2007, 03:05 AM	(permalink)
Krumlink	I dont want to rush you, but when You are finished I would be more than happy to try it out __________________ MechTronics World of Warcraft is a disease

5th October 2007, 03:24 AM	(permalink)
blueroomelectronics	To get it right takes a little time, I'll keep everyone updated I've got to ask Mike if I can use 2N7000 instead of the NPNs to GND. (Avoid the 10K resistor to save space, the PCB is a tight squeeze) __________________ Bill Smart Kits build Smart People http://www.blueroomelectronics.com

5th October 2007, 03:33 AM	(permalink)
Gayan Soyza	Hi after a long time to this site. Bill what was happened to that Giraffe kit is it still under construction? __________________ Gayan My Website http://gsmicro.blogspot.com/

5th October 2007, 04:28 AM	(permalink)
blueroomelectronics	Yes, the PK2 was such a eye opener with the release of MPLAB 7.62 that I couldn't resist building (and buying a real PICKit2) because the prototype kept locking up. Turns out the USB port on my laptop was at fault. All the other kits will appear asap. The Junebug, Cricket, Ladybug then Giraffe. Getting quite a zoo assembled. __________________ Bill Smart Kits build Smart People http://www.blueroomelectronics.com

5th October 2007, 06:03 AM	(permalink)
Pommie	Bill, Do you, or any one else, know what is the purpose of the 2 serial eeproms in the original design? Mike.

5th October 2007, 06:44 AM	(permalink)
blueroomelectronics	As far as I know they're saving that for future use. Might be to store a .hex file for remote programming but it's currently not used. I have a I2C EEPROM going onto the kit but it's for the 16F88 / PICKit2 EEPROM programmer function. __________________ Bill Smart Kits build Smart People http://www.blueroomelectronics.com

5th October 2007, 02:48 PM	(permalink)
blueroomelectronics	That's not a current image. I've been tweaking the prototype, and it currently has a huge 12 position DIP switch. I've come across another PK2 variation called the PICKit2 serial analyzer (it's similar but different hardware in the I/O section) Would be interesting but I've got limited space on the PCB. Will start to use 1/8W resistors and SIP resistors. Refresh the page for a slightly more recent PCB layout __________________ Bill Smart Kits build Smart People http://www.blueroomelectronics.com Last edited by blueroomelectronics; 5th October 2007 at 03:10 PM.

5th October 2007, 07:22 PM	(permalink)
Krumlink	Bill, I showed the Firefly to that C++/C teacher, and He wants to get a couple to try out. If they work, he will buy 20+ of them. WHat is a rough price estimation? __________________ MechTronics World of Warcraft is a disease

5th October 2007, 07:47 PM	(permalink)
blueroomelectronics	Great, the firefly version with the PK2 will likely be called the Junebug. Hopefully $45 for the whole kit. __________________ Bill Smart Kits build Smart People http://www.blueroomelectronics.com

6th October 2007, 02:53 AM	(permalink)
Krumlink	Sweet when can we expect it? So it is a USB programming board that also has the firefly on it? that is awesome! I cant wait to get one! When you send out the boards and stuff, can you give me a parts list? __________________ MechTronics World of Warcraft is a disease