PIC Pyro 12

A while back, David Tait and Michael Covington created the TOPIC programmer and the NOPPP hardware, respectively. NOPPP style hardware is a great do-it-yourself way to build your own programmer and begin programming your own 16F84A. NOPPP even came with DOS-based software that took your HEX file and stuffed it into the 16F84A via the NOPPP hardware.

Here's a rewrite of Mr. Covington's software adapted to the PIC12F675. It should function with all 12F series PICs. It interfaces with NOPPP-style programmers. This rewrite correctly handles the OSCCAL and BANDGAP calibration data common in these 12F parts.

Start the software using the following command line syntax:
pp12.exe hexfile.hex
- or -
pp12.exe by itself, and it will prompt you for a hex filename.
When told to by the software, power up your NOPPP hardware.
When told to by the software, insert your 12F into its socket on your NOPPP hardware.
When told to by the software, remove your 12F from its socket from your NOPPP hardware.
You're done!

Actually, I've tested this software with with the 12F675 and the 12F629. It really should work with any 12-series serially programmable PIC as long as your HEX file is destined for that particular core.

Download PIC Pyro 12 here. This is a beta; it is in testing. It works for me; please let me know if it doesn't work for you. The NOPPP hardware can be unforgiving, especially of quick-turnaround read-back verify. By downloading this file, you agree to hold David H. Cothran harmless from any issue that arises from the use of the software. IT IS TEST SOFTWARE. Conceivably, the worst thing that could happen is your PIC chip might be ruined if the software stuffs it with the contents of a malformed HEX file, enabling the Code Protect bits, but who knows.

Here's a view of the NOPPP programming hardware connected to a PIC12F675. To the left is the NOPPP hardware on an experimenter's breadboard. To the right is the 12F.

Click on the above to SUPER-SIZE it.

Here's a video of the above circuit in action, with the programming interface removed. The 12F675 features an internal 4MHz RC oscillator to reduce external parts count. Notice the LED in this video isn't simply flashing on and off, it fades in and out because I'm using PWM on that output. Three parts total for this function... not bad! Try that with your 555!

Don't hesitate to let me know of any enhancement ideas you may have or bugs you have found. I'll import your input into the upcoming PIC Pyro 18 software.