The microcontroller is connected to the PICFlashUSB programmer via 5 lines, two of which are +5V and GND. Unlike programmers whose operation is based on bootloads (and which need to give away part of their memory to a bootload program) PICFlashUSB programs the microcontroller externally so that the entire memory is available for the programmer. PIC microcontrollers can be programmed with 5V and 12.5 V. If programmed with 5V, RB3 pin can not be used for anything else except for programming, so that one pin of the microcontroller is not available for an application. PICFlashUSB programs with 12.5V generated through a supply pump from the supply voltage (+5V) thus leaving the RB3 pin free. Connection to the computer is made via the serial port, so PICFlashUSB programmer can work on all computers.

Keyboard Shortcuts

New version of software includes a number of shortcuts which facilitate programming:

• Alt-E Erase
• Alt-B Blank check
• Alt-W Write
• Alt-V Verify
• Alt-R Read
• Alt-D Change MCU
• Ctrl-S Save
• Ctrl-O Open (Load)
• Ctrl-R Reload

Command Line

Alternatively, you can use the PICFlash2 programmer from the command line. Here are the command line parameters:

• -w Write to PIC
• -v Verify
• -r Read from PIC
• -e Erase PIC
• -p PIC name (for example P16F877A, P18F452...)
• -f Filename (use " as delimiters)

Examples:

picflash.exe -w -pP16F877A -v -f"C:\somefile.hex"

This will program the PIC using C:\somefile.hex and it will verify the write.

picflash.exe -r -pP16F877A.

This will read the PIC contents into on screen buffer.

picflash.exe -e -pP16F877A

This will erase the PIC.