PICKitAutoWatch

For PICkit 2 and PICkit 3 programmers.

Overview

 

PICKitAutoWatch is a new application and a new approach to programming microcontrollers. PICKitAutoWatch  is the easiest way to integrate your development tools with the programmer and the microcontroller.  

PICKitAutoWatch  is a single application of the PICkit 2 and PICkit3 programmers, the software is feature rich and easy to use via the user interface.  It is our best value for money product if you are simply programming your part.

PICKitAutoWatch provides support for the the latest generation of Microchip microcontrollers, and fully supports the  Microchip Programmers-on-Board the Microchip Xpress Boards.  

The intent of PICKitAutoWatch is to enable operations with auto-detection and recovery of the program to maintain the programming activity.   The softwares capabilities are shown in the table.

PICKitAutoWatch supports nearly 1000 different types of microcontrollers, and the Microchip Programmers-on-Board the Microchip Xpress Boards.  

  • PIC10F, PIC12F, PIC16F, PIC18F, PIC24.
  • dsPIC30 and dsPIC33 family.
  • MCP2502X/5X & HCSxx.
  • Microchip Xpress Boards
  • See here for the full list of supported parts.

Core functionality

  • Programs the target part when a new hex file is generated.
  • Automatic part detection.
  • Recently used parts listed.
  • Supports project settings - save and load of project configuration.
  • Supports multiple voltages within constraints of physical programmer - noting that some clone programmers do not support voltage control.
  • Supports ISCP protocol frequency management.
  • Manages Microchip HEF and SAF memory with automatic merger of HEF/SAF memory into target part.
  • Support 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 new classes of Microchips PIC microcontrollers.
  • Updated and managed database for Microchip devices.
  • Supports the standard Microchip Microchip PICKit 2 and PICkit3 programmer firmware.  PICKitPlus does not require an update to the Microchip PICKit 2 and PICkit3 programmer firmware.
  • Control power on and off independent of programming state.
  • Automatic parts database update.
  • Internet connection not required.

Internationalisation Support

  • Supports local language. 

Safe Usage Enhancements

  • Windows toast alerting of programming operations.
  • Delays and file retry options.
  • Sound notifications.
  • Generation of log file with timestamps and automatic deletion.

Environments proven to work

  • WIndows file structures local hard drive, LAN and WAN shares.
  • MPLAB-X IDE.
  • MPASMX compiler and linker.
  • GPASM compiler and linker.
  • MPLAB-X Cloud IDE with remote HEX download to local file structure.
  • There are many, many more

What are the capabilities of PICKitAutoWatch software?

 

 

Capabilities

Project Operations

  • Save project
  • Load project
 Save and reload all the settings for your project

Tool Operations

  • Programmmer selection
  • Programmer status

Select from installed PICKit 2, PICKit 3 or Microchip Xpress Boards.

Support automatic detection of programmers with automatic recovery.

Source File Operations

  • load 
 Select source Hex file - parameters can be set to handle Hex file generation errors including retrys and delays.  This can be used to support remote programming across a LAN or WAN connection.

Device Family Operations

  • manual selection of part
  • automatic detection of part
  • recently used parts list
  • supports legacy and newer Microchip microcontrollers

Support easy selection of target part.

See here for the full list of supported parts.

Programmer Operations

  • manage PROGMEM
  • manage EEPROM
  • manage HEF/SAF
  • manage power and voltage 
  • manage ICSP frequency 
 Supports simple selection of options.

Information Operations

  • Failure management
  • Quiet output management
  • Toast notification management
  • Clear log
 Select the level of information you need and what should happen when a programming activity fails - the default is to auto-recovery and wait for the next programming activity.
 
 
Operations  
START Start the process of watching for changes in the source hex file
STOP Stop  the process of watching for changes in the source hex file
ERASE Clear the log file
RUN NOW Execute a single operation to the program the selected microcontroller.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why would I use PICKitAutoWatch?

            

The following list provides insights into why PICKitAutoWatch is recommended for certain operations

  • You do have experience of using the Windows command line, in terms of creation/editing of batch files.  
  • You want simple integration with MPLAB. PICKitAutoWatch will program your target chip every time MPLAB generates a new hex file.
  • You want to use AutoImport functionality with a HEF/SAF chip.  

Which parts are supported?

  

See here for the full list of supported parts.

 

What are the networking requirements to program parts?

         

To operate the software, in terms of programming, a network connection is not required.   

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 the license?

A single name user.

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

 

 

Access Site Map PICkit and MPLAB are
recognised as trademarks
of Microchip Corp.

 

Copyright PICKitPlus Team 2024