Programmer Or Bootloader?

A

aristos

Member

• Jun 23, 2008

• #1

Which option is better?

 

B

Boomslang

Member

• Jun 23, 2008

• #2

How are you going to get the bootloader on the PIC without a programmer, and if you use something like the cheap PICKIT2 you have ICD as well.

 

Last edited: Jun 23, 2008

A

aristos

Member

• Jun 23, 2008

• #3

You will need a programmer but only for the first time.Can you give me some details about those?

 

matk95

Member

• Jun 23, 2008

• #4

Programers are proberbly beter but you can order a pic pre programed with a bootloader from some website

 

A

aristos

Member

• Jun 23, 2008

• #5

Yes,but if you use bootloader you don't "spend" erase and write cycles.Am i wrong?

 

Nigel Goodwin

Super Moderator

Most Helpful Member

• Jun 23, 2008

• #6

aristos said:

Yes,but if you use bootloader you don't "spend" erase and write cycles.Am i wrong?

Click to expand...

There is no erase 'cycle', it's essentially instant during programming - the write time has the same constraints in either case.

As already suggested, you need a programmer in order to install a bootloader in your PIC - I've used both, a programmer is far more useful.

You might try the Junebug from Bill, this is not only a programmer, but an ICD (In Circuit Debugger) as well - and the actual processor on-board is updated for different devices via a bootloader.

 

A

aristos

Member

• Jun 23, 2008

• #7

I mean that,ex.16f628a has 100,000 erase/write cycle enhanced flash
program memory typical,Does bootloader affect that?

 

Mike - K8LH

Well-Known Member

• Jun 23, 2008

• #8

You can't use a bootloader on the '628 or '628A because those particular devices don't have bootloader capability. That is, they can't write their own program memory.

Mike

 

A

aristos

Member

• Jun 23, 2008

• #9

Oh.Now i get it.Thanks for the information.....So programmer is the best sollution?

 

B

Boomslang

Member

• Jun 23, 2008

• #10

aristos said:

You will need a programmer but only for the first time.Can you give me some details about those?

Click to expand...

Have a look here for the PICKIT2: **broken link removed**

 

3v0

Coop Build Coordinator

Forum Supporter

• Jun 23, 2008

• #11

Or follow the Junebug link in my signature. The Junebug come assembled or as a kit and includes a 18F1320 target with an assortment of IO goodies.

 

Someone Electro

New Member

• Jun 23, 2008

• #12

It is well worth getting the PicKit 2. I have it for about a year now and it has served me well. Also its software is constantly updated.Also it comes with a few tools like UART terminal and a logic analyzer.Also it can power the circuit with a adjustable voltage from 2V to 5V.

Also the good thing is that it will program nearly any PIC out there fro the little PIC10F to the new 32bit PIC and also a few serial EEPROMs.

Also for this much functionality its cheap.