PIC16LF628A

Support summary

• Programming - Yes
• Debugging provisions - No

ICSP Connection

Programming is impossible at voltages below 4.5V.

LVP Limitations

Since NSDSP is a Low-Voltage Programmer (LVP), it can only program PIC devices if LVP configuration bit is enabled. Fresh (unprogrammed) devices have LVP bit set and therefore they can be programmed. It is impossible to disable LVP bit during LVP programming, but if the device has been previously programmed with HVP programmer, the LVP bit may have been disabled.

When brown-out is enabled with BOREN configuration bit, LVP is only possible when the VDD voltage is above the brown-out threshold.

These limitations may be avoided with High-Voltage Programming (HVP), however NSDSP requires an external circuit for HVP. Microchip programming specificatons for PIC16LF628A require that VPP is applied to MCLR before VDD. Since NSDSP does not have any control of VDD, this requirement cannot be satisfied, however, in our tests the HVP programming has succeeded even without VDD manipulation. Therefore, NSDSP software, starting release 126, supports HVP programming for PIC16LF628A.

Be careful. It is possible to brick PIC16LF628A with HVP programming if each of these three conditions is met:

• MCLRE and LVP configuration bits are disabled
• The PIC uses internal oscillator, or an external oscillator which is connected while the programming takes place
• RB6 or RB7 pin is driven or T1OSCEN is set within one second from the reset

Debugging

NSDSP cannot be used to debug PIC16LF628A.

Links

Microchip PIC16LF628A page