I've seen several threads lately on bootloaders for PICs and some planning to use them for education. In the early days of PICs, programmers were expensive but those days are long gone. PICkit 2 is an open source design programmer and there are lots of clones available for about the same cost as an FTDI cable which you will need for the bootloader. And besides you also need some kind of programmer to load the bootloader first. So I get a bit confused as to why bootloaders are still a desired choice when compared to a programmer such as PICkit 2?
There are also several PICkit 2 kits available; or with the open source files you could create your own. Then the student will learn to build the programmer that they will then use to program blank PICs.
Arduino needs to add a shield and special code just to program an 8 pin part when you can do that with a PICkit 2 and GCB.
So I'm really curious why there is still such a desire to add a layer of code (and sometimes complexity) called a bootloader to complicate programming when you could do it all in one step with a PICkit 2 and blank PIC?
Can anybody help me understand?
What is the advantage to using a bootloader?
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I have been standardized to internal organs the bootloader in the least from MCU AVR or PIC.
For example, TI/MSP430, NXP / LPCXXXX, such as CYPRESS / PsoC.
Recent ones has been designed to take into account the bootloader as well, such as AVR or PIC.
The advantage of using a bootloader.
①In order to upgrade the program on the chip and does not require dedicated hardware.
②Can support the processor may be different as AVR / PIC.
③Selection freedom of pin to be used for reading and writing is high, I need circuit configuration is simple.
④The pin need to be connected can be reduced.
Maximum configuration:Vdd/TX/RX/Reset/GND
Minimum configuration:TX/RX/GND
An example of a minimum configuration (Figure)
And if educational purposes and commercial products,
it is possible for the end user, to provide programming of the bootloader using a USB or RS232.
Each role is different and not to be compared with Bootloader Pickit.
I've seen several threads lately on bootloaders for PICs and some planning to use them for education. In the early days of PICs, programmers were expensive but those days are long gone. PICkit 2 is an open source design programmer and there are lots of clones available for about the same cost as an FTDI cable which you will need for the bootloader. And besides you also need some kind of programmer to load the bootloader first. So I get a bit confused as to why bootloaders are still a desired choice when compared to a programmer such as PICkit 2?
There are also several PICkit 2 kits available; or with the open source files you could create your own. Then the student will learn to build the programmer that they will then use to program blank PICs.
Arduino needs to add a shield and special code just to program an 8 pin part when you can do that with a PICkit 2 and GCB.
So I'm really curious why there is still such a desire to add a layer of code (and sometimes complexity) called a bootloader to complicate programming when you could do it all in one step with a PICkit 2 and blank PIC?
Can anybody help me understand?
What is the advantage to using a bootloader?
Hi Chuck Hellebuyck
I think this way.
I have been standardized to internal organs the bootloader in the least from MCU AVR or PIC.
For example, TI/MSP430, NXP / LPCXXXX, such as CYPRESS / PsoC.
Recent ones has been designed to take into account the bootloader as well, such as AVR or PIC.
The advantage of using a bootloader.
①In order to upgrade the program on the chip and does not require dedicated hardware.
②Can support the processor may be different as AVR / PIC.
③Selection freedom of pin to be used for reading and writing is high, I need circuit configuration is simple.
④The pin need to be connected can be reduced.
Maximum configuration:Vdd/TX/RX/Reset/GND
Minimum configuration:TX/RX/GND
An example of a minimum configuration (Figure)
And if educational purposes and commercial products,
it is possible for the end user, to provide programming of the bootloader using a USB or RS232.
Each role is different and not to be compared with Bootloader Pickit.
Best regards,
Dan