PIC18 programmer

The SCHAER+ programmer is a programmer for PIC18 family from a PC parallel port (LPT). It is derivated from the SCHAER programmer I used to download my projects in PIC1684. The SCHAER+ programmer should be improved to use a USB connection, without any external power supply...

The SCHAER+ programmer is designed to facilitate programming of PIC18 microcontrollers through a PC's parallel port (LPT). This device is an evolution of the original SCHAER programmer, which was utilized for programming the PIC1684 microcontroller. A key enhancement proposed for the SCHAER+ programmer is the transition from a parallel port interface to a USB connection, which is more modern and widely compatible with current computing systems.

The circuit design for the SCHAER+ programmer would typically include a microcontroller interface, a level shifter for communication between the PC and the microcontroller, and necessary programming logic to handle the specific requirements of the PIC18 family. The implementation of a USB interface would require a USB-to-serial converter chip, such as the FTDI FT232 or similar, to facilitate communication over the USB protocol.

The schematic should include a power management circuit that allows the programmer to draw power directly from the USB connection, eliminating the need for an external power supply. This can be achieved using a voltage regulator to ensure that the microcontroller and other components receive a stable voltage supply.

Additionally, the programming interface would need to incorporate the necessary pins for ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming), allowing for direct programming of the microcontroller while it is installed in the target circuit. This would involve connections for MCLR, VPP, and the data lines for programming, typically labeled as PGD (program data) and PGC (program clock).

In summary, the SCHAER+ programmer is envisioned as a compact, efficient tool for programming PIC18 microcontrollers via USB, enhancing usability and compatibility with modern computing environments while eliminating the need for external power sources.The SCHAER+ programmer is a programmer for PIC18 family from a PC parallel port (LPT). It is derivated from the SCHAER programmer I used to download my projects in PIC1684. The SCHAER+ programmer should be improved to use a USB connection, without any external power supply... 🔗 External reference