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BL0080 Supported PICs?

Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 8:40 am
by chipfryer27
Hi

I've had a search of the forum and Matrix site for details of PICs supported by the BL0080 but haven't found any. Previous versions of the board used to list PICs that the board could program in the datasheet, but I can't find any reference.

Can anyone point me in the direction?

Regards

Re: BL0080 Supported PICs?

Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 10:01 am
by BenR
Hello,

Most if not all 18/28/40 pin 8-bit PIC chips should work with the board but you may have to program some of them using a PICkit via the ICSP header.

For the chip natively supported by mLoader you can check the list of devices to see what is supported.
Chips.jpg
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Re: BL0080 Supported PICs?

Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2021 7:58 pm
by chipfryer27
Thanks Ben

I thought it was the board itself that had the capabilities, not mLoader. Does that mean that I could (for example) use FC9 to program a 16F18877 using a previous board (EB006-30-9)? When I bought the board that chip wasn't supported in the list that accompanied it. I mean using the DIL sockets, not via ICSP.

Regards

Re: BL0080 Supported PICs?

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2021 11:30 am
by BenR
Hello,

The 16F18877 uses a new programming paradigm and so the older boards will not be able to program that device without new firmware to specifically output the new paradigm. Currently we have only provided support for this new programming method in the EB2 hardware.

You could use the 16F18877 on an EB006 but using a Pickit to program it :D

Re: BL0080 Supported PICs?

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2021 5:11 pm
by chipfryer27
Hi Ben

I had a feeling you might say that......

Later in the week when I'm back in front of hardware I might just give this ICSP thing a go, probably decide it's a lot of bother for little reward and then order up a BL0080 :)

Thanks for the help.
Regards

Re: BL0080 Supported PICs?

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2021 6:01 pm
by medelec35
Here's my finding on using ICSP via Flowcode vs BL0080.
ICSP does work to a fashion.
But what happens every so often is the programmer (PICkit3) stops programming until it's reset.
I don't think it's a Flowcode issue, it's more of a Microchip command line issue.
I could be wrong of course.
However, if I use MPLABX IPE to program using the Flowcode hex file, then there is no issue.
Given the choice after using both methods i.e. BL0080 and ISP,
I would rather payout for a BL0080.
Especially when you consider there is a discount for VC members.
Worth taking advantage of.
I would get one, even if I was not a VC member. ;)
I would just leave ICSP to devices that mLoader does not support.

Re: BL0080 Supported PICs?

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 3:46 pm
by chipfryer27
Hi Medelec

Thanks for that.

I have to admit to being a fan of the multiprogrammers as they are very convenient and I have several kicking around (EB006 of differing versions and a v2 and v3 version of the HP-xxx boards, which might warrant a place in a museum one day :) ).

I've already placed my order but unfortunately I forgot about the discount and there is a lead of a few weeks for delivery. Plenty of time for me to get fed up with ICSP :) Usually I've got all sorts hanging on the the board ports and when changing anything it's so convenient to just click compile to chip.

Won't be retiring the EB6's anytime soon as I see the new board doesn't do the smaller chips (well not via DIL).

Regards