4.3.3 Save Firmware into PM3 SD Card

In production houses, there may be a need to program several different device family architectures without having access to a computer.

Between MPLAB IPE v3.25 and v3.40, the PM3 operating system was split into two parts based on the device architecture (32-bit vs all other devices). In MPLAB IPE v3.40, the PM3 operating system and database are split into three parts based on the architectures for 8-, 16- and 32-bit devices.

MPLAB IPE v3.40 or greater enables you to save the three PM3 operating system firmwares supporting each of the device family architectures into a PM3 SD card.

Once all the PM3 operating system firmwares are downloaded, when a PM3 environment is selected in Stand-Alone mode, the MPLAB PM3 programmer will load the correct operating system and database for the device from the PM3 SD card.

This feature is available only in the MPLAB IPE v3.40 or greater, not in the MPLAB X IDE.

To save all three operating systems into the PM3 SD card:

  1. Insert any supported SD card into PM3 SD card slot.
  2. Open MPLAB IPE v3.40 or greater and connect the MPLAB PM3 programmer to the computer.
  3. Select Settings>Save firmware into SD Card. The output window in the MPLAB IPE displays messages when the operating systems and databases for the 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit MCUs are successfully saved onto the SD card.