2.1 MPLAB ICD 4 In-Circuit Debugger Description

The MPLAB ICD 4 In-Circuit Debugger (DV164045) is Microchip’s fastest and most cost-effective debugging and programming tool for Microchip PIC®, dsPIC® flash and CEC (ARM® Cortex®-M7-based) microcontrollers (MCUs). This speed is provided by a SAME70 MCU with 300 MHz, 32-bit MCU with 2MB of RAM and a high-speed FPGA to yield faster communications, downloads and debugging. It debugs and programs with the powerful and easy-to-use graphical user interface of MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The MPLAB ICD 4 is connected to your computer through a high-speed USB 2.0 interface and is connected to the target with an RJ-11 connector. The MPLAB ICD 4 also works with JTAG interfaces.

The debugger system executes code like an actual device because it uses a device with built-in emulation circuitry instead of a special debugger chip. All available features of a given device are accessible interactively and can be set and modified by the MPLAB X IDE interface.

The MPLAB ICD 4 In-Circuit Debugger is compatible with any of these platforms:

  • Microsoft Windows® 7 or later
  • Linux®
  • macOS

The MPLAB ICD 4 In-Circuit Debugger was developed for debugging embedded processors with rich debug facilities which differ from conventional system processors in the following aspects:

  • Processors run at maximum speeds
  • Capability to incorporate I/O port data input
  • Advanced host communication interfaces (Windows, macOS and Linux)
  • Advanced communication mediums and protocols
  • Faster programming times
  • Modular design (testability and maintainability)

In addition to debugger functions, the MPLAB ICD 4 In-Circuit Debugger system also may be used as a device production programmer.