PICKitPlus Graphical User Interface Applications

For PICkit2 and PICkit3 programmers .

Overview

PICKitPlus applications are the replacement applications for the existing Microchip PICkit2 and PICkit3 Windows Graphical User Interface software.

The software provides an upgrade to support the latest generation of Microchip microcontrollers and EEPROMs whilst adding substantialy greater functionality.

The intent of PICkit2Plus and the PICkit3Plus applications are to support programming of Microchip microcontrollers and EEPROMS. We have specific applications for each type of programmer.

PICKit3Plus Graphical user interface application. A Specific solution for the PICkit3 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer and clones
PICKit2Plus Graphical user interface application. A specific solution for the PICkit2 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer and clones

The software supports standalone programming – no internet connection required.

Supports nearly 1000 different types of microcontrollers and EEPROMS.

PIC10F, PIC12F, PIC16F, PIC18F, PIC24, PIC32.
dsPIC30 and dsPIC33 family.
A wide range of EEPROMs including non Microchip parts.
CAN I/O Expander & KEELOQ series.
MCP2502X/5X & HCSxx.
EEPROM 11LCxx, 24LCxx, 25LCxx and 93LCxx, M25Px and FL127x.
See here for the full list of supported parts.

New functionality

Manages Microchip HEF and SAF memory with automatic merger of HEF/SAF memory into source program.
A wide range of Windows operating systems (32bit/64bit): Windows XP ,Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Embedded 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.
New programming protocols to support for new classes of Microchip microcontrollers.
Simplification of user interface to improve stability.
Ability for latest version of the microcontroller database.
Part type, revision and family displayed.
Tooltips that show memory size, EEPROM size, HEF/SAF size and UserID location and type.
Reset of Bandgap.
Updated and managed database for Microchip and other EEPROM devices.
Improved user interface, help, guidance and direct access to the PIC microcontroller database.

PICKitPlus features:

Supports the standard Microchip PICkit2 and PICkit3 programmer firmware. PICKitPlus does not require an update to the Microchip PICkit2 and PICkit3 programmer firmware.
Supports multiple voltage within constraints of physical programmer - noting that some clone programmers do not support voltage control.
Read/write program and data memory of microcontroller.
Erase of program memory space with verification.
Supports IDEs with hold-on-exit.
Write/Read and Verify options.
Control power on and off independent of programming state.
OSCCAL support.

Safe Usage Enhancements

Auto-import is disabled when using HEF/SAF - use PICKitAutoWatch application for this functionality for Auto-import functionality.
Supports the disabling device automatic detection to ensure circuits are not incorrectly powered-up.
Supports selection of recently used parts.
Supports Windows user profiles for the configuration files.
Same microcontroller database across all software applications.

What is the difference between the PICKit 2Plus and PICKit 3Plus software?

The table below compares the operations of the two applications and the assiocated programmers.

	PICKit 2Plus	PICKit 3Plus
File Operations load save	Same	Same
Device Family Operations select part recently used supports legacy and recent Microchip microcontrollers	Same	Same
Microchip and other venders EEPROMS operations	Robust operations	Operations may required pullup resistors. See section A.4 Device Support of the PICkit 3 Programmer Application User
Programmer Operations manage Progmem manage EEPROM manage HEF/SAF read/write/verify/erase/blank check verify on write HEF&SAF merger management sound management write on button manual device select auto-detect on start reset Bandgap auto import and export	Same	Same
programmer -to-go	Only PICKit 2
Tool Operations code protect selection voltage management config management unit identification lvp and fast programming logic tool install operating system check parts database revision	Same	Same
OSCCAL	Manual and auto regeneration	Manual
vdd calibration	only PICKit 2
uart (serial tool)	only PICKit 2
change MPLAB and MPLAB-X modes		only PICKit 3
Operation Features
maximum current draw	Maintain 25 mA or lower	Maintain 30 mA or lower
vdd	Large VDD capacitances should not be permitted. Allowed VDD rise time is 500 us or less.	Large VDD capacitances should not be permitted. Allowed VDD rise time is 500 us or less.
vdd supply from PICkit	range of 2.5v to 5.0v	range of 2.5v to 5.0v
operating limits from external VDD	maximum external VDD is 5.0 v minimum external VDD is 2.5v	maximum external VDD 5.5 v. minimum external 1.8 v.

Which parts/devices mandate choosing a specific application and the associated programmer?

If you have a part that requirements OSCCAL management then you must use the PICKit 2Plus software with a PICKit 2 programmer.

If you want to use the programmer and PICKitPlus as a USART terminal then you must use the PICKit 2Plus software with a PICKit 2 programmer.

If you want to use the PICkit programmer with specific voltage or current demands you will need to select the correct programmer.

See the table for a full analysis of these differences

Which application supports EEPROMs?

Both applications support EEPROM operations. But, we we recommend the PICKit 2Plus software with a PICKit 2 programmer as the EEPROM operations are more robust.

What are the networking requirements to program parts?

To operate the software, in terms of programming, you do not require an internet connection.

If you did want to check the version of the parts database then you would need to connect to the internet... or, you could look on our GitHub site.

What is included in my user license?

Use of the software by a single name user.

One year software support/maintenance plus free updates to the parts database.