Why do I need galvanic isolation?
You need galvanic isolation to prevent damage from ground loops, and block electrical noise in systems where circuits with different ground potentials need to communicate. The following ICP family programmers feature galvanic isolation between the communication lines and the target MCU: ICP2-COMBO(G3) ICP2-ISO(G3) ICP2-LAN(G3)
I need a long cable between ICP programmer and the target MCU. What should I do?
Please follow the document “Filter for long cables”: https://softlog.com/documents/Filter%20for%20long%20cables.pdf
Do ICP programmers support high-level operation?
Yes, all ICP programmers support high-level operations as follows: Vpp: till 13.5V Data line: 12V entry for UPDI, fuse burning on MSP430
Mating connector for ICP2(G3), ICP2-GANG(G3), ICP2-Portable(G3), ICP2-ISO(G3) and ICP2-LAN(G3)
All programmers are supplied with mating D-Sub 15 connector(s) and shell(s). You will need a standard D-Sub 15 male connector (15 pins, 2 rows, pin pitch = 2.77 mm, row spacing = 2.84 mm) with a matching shell.We recommend contacting your local component distributor, as this is a very common connector and shell type.
What is the expected service life of the programmer in terms of operating hours, days, or years?
ICP family programmers do not require periodic servicing, as they contain no moving components. They are designed for continuous 24/7 operation and offer high reliability thanks to the following hardware features: A. No electromechanical components or moving parts are used. B. All target connector lines are hardware-protected as follows: – Vdd: Hardware current limit, source-only […]
What is the battery life of the ICP2-Portable(G3)?
Battery life estimation is complex, as it depends on various operating conditions. However, under typical use, the ICP2-Portable (G3) provides sufficient capacity for more than 1,000 programming cycles. The following examples illustrate the approximate number of programming cycles achievable using alkaline batteries (assumed conditions: 30 seconds of idle time per cycle, battery capacity 2500 mAh): […]
What is the maximum cable length?
(A) Maximum Cable Length The maximum cable length depends on several parameters: – Cable structure: Unshielded, separate wires are recommended to reduce crosstalk and capacitance. – Microcontroller type: Some microcontrollers are highly sensitive to small voltage spikes on the clock, data, or reset/VPP lines. – Target PCB design: Components placed near the target microcontroller and […]
Reset IC STM1001 on VPP/MCLR
The STM1001 generates a reset pulse lasting up to 140 ms after applying +5V, which may conflict with the T_VPP(RESET) of the ICP2(G3). Try increasing the Vdd-to-Vpp parameter from 4 ms to 250 ms (perform debugging in full PC-driven mode). In the future, add a 1 kΩ resistor between the STM1001 and the MCU to […]
Target cable with twisted pairs
Step 1: Use separate unshielded wires to minimize capacitance and reduce crosstalk. Step 2: If the problem persists, add a capacitor of approximately 22 pF (acceptable range 18–27 pF) between CLOCK and GND on the nails, as close as possible to the MCU. Step 3: If the issue still exists, add a similar capacitor (≈22 […]
“Vdd Overload” message
“VDD Overload” Error — General Explanation Case 1: Check the Target Cable – Inspect for shorts, damaged conductors, or miswiring. – Keep the cable short and ensure proper shielding/grounding. Case 2: Target Is Externally Powered – Set VDD source = Target to avoid conflicts between power sources. – Verify that T_VDD is connected so the […]
How should I connect my target device to the ICP programmer?
See connection table: ICP2(G3) Connection Table
Can ICP family programmers be powered from the USB line?
(A) Yes, ICP2(G3), ICP2-Portable(G3), and ICP2-ISO(G3) can be powered solely from the USB line. The ICP family programmers automatically detect the absence of a 12V power supply and accordingly reduce the maximum Vdd drive current. (B) ICP2-GANG(G3), ICP2-COMBO(G3), and ICP2-LAN(G3) must always be powered by their dedicated 12V power supplies.
Why do I need a programmable delay between Vdd and Vpp (Vdd-to-Vpp)?
Most target devices enter programming mode by applying the Vdd voltage first, followed by Vpp. Many target PCBs include large capacitance (typically 100–1000 µF or more) on the Vdd line, which causes the supply voltage to rise slowly. A programmable Vdd-to-Vpp delay ensures the correct sequence — Vdd first, then Vpp — even when Vdd […]
I need to connect a brown-out reset circuit to the MCLR/RESET pin of a microcontroller. How should I connect it to allow in-circuit programming?
Voltage tolerance: Ensure the brown-out reset IC is rated to withstand the maximum possible voltage on its output; in some cases this can be up to 13 V. Series protection: Insert a series resistor of 1 kΩ or higher between the brown-out reset IC output and the MCLR/RESET pin. Support: For complex designs, please contact […]
