3.1 On-board Debugger
The on-board debugger is a USB-enabled device with a debug application, a data gateway, and a virtual COM port.
Together with MPLAB X IDE, the on-board debugger interface can program and debug the microcontroller target.
A Data Gateway Interface (DGI) is available for use with logic analyzer channels for code instrumentation and to visualize program flow. DGI GPIOs can be graphed using the MPLAB Data Visualizer. The MPLAB Analyzer is available for download from the Microchip web site.
A virtual COM port is connected to a UART peripheral on the target processor. The virtual port provides an easy way to communicate with the target application through terminal software.
The on-board debugger controls one power/status LED (marked PS). The following table describes how the LED is controlled in different operational modes.
| Operation Mode | Status LED |
|---|---|
| Bootloader mode | LED blink at 1 Hz during power up |
| Power-up | LED is lit, constant. |
| Normal operation | LED is lit, constant. |
| Programming | Activity indicator, the LED flashes slowly during programming or debugging. |
| Fault | The LED flashes fast if a power fault is detected. |
| Sleep/Off | LED is OFF. The on-board debugger is either in Sleep mode or Power-Down mode. This will occur only if the kit is externally powered. |