PIC Programmer
The P16Pro PIC programmer is one of the popular, low-cost, PIC microcontroller programming hardware that can be easily build and assembled by hobbyists and students. It is parallel port-based and requires a supply voltage of approximately 15V. If your PC still has a vacant parallel port, then assembling this programmer is cost and time-effective. Anyone who can spend P200, read circuit schematics, and solder electronic components can easily build this programmer hardware in about an hour or so. The figure below is a home-brewed version of the programmer.
Some of the board components are shown below, the 40-pin ZIF socket, DB25 male connector, and a 90×70 mm universal PCB. The Zero Force Insertion (ZIF) socket is much better to use than an ordinary 40-pin IC socket since it can accommodate many PIC microcontroller in different DIP packages. More importantly, microcontroller chips can be easily inserted or removed by using the spring loaded lever of the ZIF socket. The lever is used to lock/release the chip. This keeps the microcontroller pins from mechanical stresses due to frequent insertion and removal. The DB25 male connector connects to the parallel port data cable and is the standard connector for the parallel port interface.
PIC Programmer schematic circuit
The 90×70 mm universal PCB (from e-gizmo.com) is shown below. It is cheap (P20), with a fine coated finish (lacquer-coated) copper side which allows for clean and neat soldering since the solder spread cleanly on the copper traces. Additionally, the copper connections at the both ends of the PCB allows for DB25 (and DB9, etc) connectors to be added to the PCB.
The finished board might look similar to the one shown below. During the soldering stage, it is suggested to solder first the power supply circuit (consisting of the dc jack, 78L05, 78L08, and capacitors). The voltage supply outputs are +5v and +13v.The 78L08 input is stacked on the 78L05 output, generating the +13v (8v + 5v) needed to program the PIC microcontrollers. It is recommended to test the supply outputs using a voltmeter before proceeding to the next unsoldered components. Next, solder the 14-pin IC socket, PNP transistors, resistors, and the LEDs. Finish wiring up the board connections using thin wires and/or wire wraps. Lastly, solder the DB25 connector and the ZIF socket. Afterward, insert the 74LS05 logic IC to the IC socket, then power up the board for testing. With the P16Pro powered up, test if components do get hot, from the voltage regulators, transistors, and the 74LS05 IC. This will indicate wrong connections. Recheck the copper and wire connections. Test also the power traces if there are the +5v and +13v present. Make sure there are no short circuits, or else you might damage the voltage regulators.
After assembling the board, it is time to test download an existing PIC program to the PIC microcontroller. You will need the DC adapter and a parallel port data cable, and of course, the PIC microcontroller. We will be using the PIC16F84a. Connect the data cable to a vacant parallel port in your PC then connect the P16Pro to the data cable.
PIC Programmer data cable
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