In MPLAB X IDE, use the MPLAB PICkit 4 as a programmer to program a non-ICE/-ICD device, such as a device not on a header board. Set the MPLAB PICkit 4 In-Circuit Debugger as the current tool (click the Debug Tool PICkit 4 in the navigation window, select File > Project Properties, then under “Hardware Tool,” click PICkit 4 to perform these actions:
- When Run Main Project icon (see below) is selected, the application
code is programmed into the device’s memory via the ICSP protocol. No clock is required
while programming and all modes of the processor can be programmed – including code
protect, Watchdog Timer enabled, and table read protect.Figure 1. Run Main Project Icon
- A small “program executive” program may be loaded into the high area of program memory for some target devices.
- Special “in-circuit debug” registers in the target device are disabled by MPLAB X IDE, along with all debug features. This means that a breakpoint cannot be set and register contents cannot be seen or altered.
- The target device is run in Release mode. As a programmer, the debugger can only toggle the MCLR line to Reset and start the target device.
The MPLAB PICkit 4 In-Circuit Debugger system programs the target using ICSP. VPP, PGC and PGD lines should be connected as described previously. No clock is required while programming and all modes of the processor can be programmed, including code protection, Watchdog Timer and table read protection.