PICE-MC - In-Circuit Emulator for PICmicro

The image above displays an assembled emulator - enclosed at the left and without the enclosure at the right. This is a "sandwich-style" palm-size header comprised of three stackable boards: Main_Board, POD, and Adapter (from top to bottom).

• Real-time, non-intrusive emulation of the PIC12, PIC16, PIC17 and PIC18 microcontrollers;
• Uses special emulation ME microcontrollers from Microchip (bondouts) for accurate emulation up to 40 MHz Fclk;
• Up to 128K Bytes of program memory (varies for particular derivatives);
• Up to 128K Bytes of external data memory (varies for particular derivatives);
• Memory mapping between the ICE and target with the finest possible resolution - one word;
• Up to 128K of true hardware breakpoints on code memory address access;
• Up to 256K of true hardware breakpoints on access to external data memory (128K read, 128K write);
• Up to 8K of true hardware breakpoints on access to internal data memory (4K read, 4K write);
• Four complex breakpoints and triggers;
• 16K frames x 128-bit real-time tracer with programmable filters;
• Tiny emulator header that plugs directly into a target socket - 95x70x40 mm;
• Connects to a PC USB or serial port;
• Up to 2M bytes program memory & 512K data memory (64K + 64K by default);
• Memory banking - up to 32 banks by 64K;
• Memory mapping between the ICE and target with 256 bytes resolution;
• Up to 1M true hardware breakpoints at Program memoryand memory access breakpoints;
• Up to 1M true hardware breakpoints at Xdata memory access for Read, Write and both Read & Write;
• Breakpoints on access to on-chip data memories: SFRs, direct data memory, on-chip Xdata, and EEPROM;
• 4 complex breakpoints / triggers;
• Up to 64K frame deep by 128 bit wide trace buffer (16K x 128K by default);
• Trace cable with 8 micro hooks for entering signals to be traced and two hooks for outputting triggers
• Precisely programmable clock generator;
• 48-bit on-board timer;
• Shadow RAM provides target device RAM real-time access without disturbing emulation;
• "On-the-fly" access to the memory, breakpoints, tracer, and timer;
• Memory coverage feature enables to locate "dead" code;
• Precisely controlled voltage regulator supplies the emulation MCU on the ICE pod in the 2.0 to 5.5V range;
• 8 probe inputs and 4 trigger outputs;
• Integrated development environment includes an editor, project manager, macro assembler and software simulator;
• Project-level support for the Phyton PASM-MC assembler, MPLAB and popular C compilers from Hi-Tech Software and CCS;
• Source-level debugging for popular C compilers and assemblers: MPLAB Microchip, from Hi-Tech Software, CCS and IAR;
• Donwnload a full version of the Project-MC IDE and unlimited PASM-MC assembler and PDS-MC simulator.

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It provides major emulator functions including:

• Communication to a host PC;
• Non-intrusive control of the emulating module (pod);
• Breakpoint processing;
• Dual-port memory operations;
• Memory shadowing and on-the-fly access to the ICE resources;
• Trace recording;
• Clock setting;
• Time measurement.

The PICE main board uses the Altera® re-programmable ACEX PLD, which makes it possible to fit the functions of hundreds of glue logic chips into a one-square-inch piece of silicon. This approach improves reliability and dramatically reduces the emulator size without compromising features and performance. A few glue logic chips, memory chips, and a master microcontroller that handles communications to a host PC and reprogramming the ACEX unit, represent other components set on the Main board.

The main board abbreviation includes (from left to right): a) the part identifier "MR", b) the RoHS identifier ( "1" for leaded parts and "2" for lead-free), c) the target MCU family code (-MC), d) the suffix that defines the on-ice memory size ('03' for 64K code + 64K data; '05' for 1M + 448K and '06' for 2M + 448K), and e) the suffix showing the the type of the link to a PC - 'U' for USB and 'R' - for RS-232C. For example: MR2-MC-03U - provides emulation for 64K code + 64K data memory, does not support memory banking. Most of the PICE main boards can be used with either pod, however some pods can be used with certain main board with extended memory.

The Main board has three connectors on the top. One, a mini-USB connector, marked "LNK" is intended for connecting a link cable going to a PC USB or serial port. The second one, marked as "TRACER" in intended for connecting a flat trace cable TC-R1 with micro hooks at the ends of the cable wires. The cable allows entering up to 8 external signals and outputting up to four triggers to synchronize an oscilloscope, logic analyzer or other lab equipment. The third coaxial socket is intended for applying power to the ICE unit (3.3V, regulated, center positive).

The Main board has two connectors on the bottom to stack it with one of the pods with an execution (emulating) processor.

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This module emulates a behavior of the target microcontroller under control of the PICE main board.

This module is built around an execution processor that emulates a behavior of the target MCU being under control of the loaded application program. PICE-MC can be equipped with a variety of changeable pods based on special bonded-out devices from Microchip (offen mentioned as "bondouts"). The PICE main board controls a behavior of the emulating MCUs, i.e. it can stop and start real-time running and has an access to such device's resources as internal RAM, registers, etc. on-the-fly or when the program execution is halted.

Besides the execution processor, a few logic chips and passive components, each pod has a pair of connectors on the top to stack it to the Main board and another pair of connectors on the bottom to connect a mechanical package adapter.

The pod abbreviation includes (from left to right) the part identifier "PR", the RoHS identifier ( "1" for leaded parts and "2" for lead-free), the target MCU family code (-MC) following a dash sign, the target group (84, 877A, 4620, 8722, etc.) sometimes following a slash sigh and a code of the execution MCU set on the POD (/84, /625 etc.). For example, PR1-MC-84/625.

In order to find all PRx-MC- pods available for the emulator scroll the window up and click on the "MCU Supported" button. Select the target MCU type and locate the pod you need. Or click the "Parts Selector & Prices" button to search our data base and get a quote on-line.

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This part provides mechanical connection of the emulator pod to the target board.

Depending on the type of the target microcontroller's mechanical package a PICE adapter is implemented either as a single transition board (for adaptation to the DIP and PLCC sockets) or as a set of a transition board and a special footer soldering onto the target board instead of the MCU chip (QFP, SOUC, SSOP, TSSOP and other fine pitch packages).

The Adapter abbreviation includes (from left to right) the part identifier "AR", the RoHS identifier ( "1" for leaded parts and "2" for lead-free), the target MCU family code (-52), the chip package type (for example "D" means DIP, "L" means PLCC, Q neans QFP, etc.), and the number of the chip pins (20, 40, 44, 68, etc.). For example, the AR1-MC-877-L44, AR1-MC-17-Q64, etc..

In order to find all the adapters available for the emulator scroll the window up and click on the "MCU Supported" button. Select the target MCU type to see all the adapters available for the target MCU. Or click the "Parts Selector & Prices" button to search our data base and get a quote on-line.

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• Real-time non-intrusive emulation for most of popular PIC12, PIC16, PIC17 and PIC18 derivatives;
• 2 to 5.5V voltage range for the target MCU;
• Transparent "on-the-fly" access to all main emulator resources;
• Single step and Step over for both C and assembly instructions; Run, Run to address, and Auto step execution modes;
• Completely programmable via the software - no switches and jumpers on the PICE boards;

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• No boxes, no plug-in PC boards, no heavy ribbon cables - plugs directly to the target socket;
• Palm size 95x70x50 mm (about 3 1/2"x2-3/4"x2") header enclosed into a plastic case;
• Precisely centered emulator unit secures durable contact with the target, even for low-pin-count packages.

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• Software switch from internal to external clock;
• Precisely programmable 5 KHz to 40 MHz clock generator with 1 Hz resolution and 0.5% accuracy.
• LP, XT, HS, and RC modes for the internal (on-ice) clock generator.

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• Up to 128K Bytes of program memory (varies for particular derivatives);
• Up to 128K Bytes of data memory (varies for particular derivatives);
• Dual-ported emulator memory enables real-time memory access without disturbing program execution;
• Shadow RAM feature allows to display memory contents during real-time emulation;

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• Real-time trace buffer with "view-on-the-fly" feature - 16K frames deep and 128 bits wide;
• Time stamped tracing for addresses, data, control lines' statuses, and 8 external inputs;
• Trace cable with 8 micro hooks for entering signals to be traced and two hooks for outputting triggers
• 48-bit real-time timer for precise time stamping;
• Several modes of trace recording: synchronous, forward, reverse and dynamic;
• Programmable trace filters and advanced search capability.

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• Up to 128K true hardware breakpoints at the program memory and memory access breakpoints;
• Up to 256K of true hardware breakpoints on access to external data memory (128K read, 128K write));
• Up to 8K of true hardware breakpoints on access to internal data memory (4K read, 4K write);
• Four complex (conditional) breakpoints and triggers;
• Complex breakpoints are individually set as a combination of the address, data, status of external input, and access type;
• Breakpoint processor operates with 4 triggers for stopping emulation or trace recording without disturbing real-time running;
• Simple and intuitive breakpoint processor programming via graphical logic diagram.

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• 8 logic inputs (micro miniature hooks);
• 4 trigger outputs for synchronization of external lab equipment and switching memory banks (micro miniature hooks);
• By default connects to a PC via USB link cable (USB 1.1 speed, logically compatible with USB 2.0);
• Optionally can be connected to a PC via opto isolated RS-232C cable (up to 115KBaud communication speed);
• Precisely controlled voltage regulator supplies the emulation MCU on the ICE pod in the 2.00 to 5.5V range;
• Two voltage management modes: a) follow the target level or b) set and keep a certain value;
• 3.3V/2A power wall adapter is included. The emulator can also use the target system's power.

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• The PICE software operates under control of Windows® 98/2000/NT/XP/Vista;
• PICE IDE enables project management, compiling and debugging in one easy-to-use environment;
• Built-in Phyton editor and PASM-MC assembler;
• Built-in intelligent disassembler and on-line assembler for quick code patches;
• MPLAB C and Hi-Tech compilers can be integrated to the PICE IDE for project management and source-level debugging;
• Source-level debugging for MPLAB, Hi-Tech, CCS, IAR Systems, and Byte Craft compilers;
• Built-in C-like script language for routine automation and testing;

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