The MPLAB series of devices are

programmer A computer programmer, sometimes referred to as a software developer, a software engineer, a programmer or a coder, is a person who creates computer programs — often for larger computer software. A programmer is someone who writes/creates ...

s and

debugger A debugger or debugging tool is a computer program used to software testing, test and debugging, debug other programs (the "target" program). The main use of a debugger is to run the target program under controlled conditions that permit the pr ...

s for

Microchip An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit (also referred to as an IC, a chip, or a microchip) is a set of electronic circuits on one small flat piece (or "chip") of semiconductor material, usually silicon. Large numbers of tiny M ...

PIC and dsPIC

microcontroller A microcontroller (MCU for ''microcontroller unit'', often also MC, UC, or μC) is a small computer on a single VLSI integrated circuit (IC) chip. A microcontroller contains one or more CPUs (processor cores) along with memory and programmable i ...

s, developed by

Microchip Technology Microchip Technology Inc. is a publicly-listed American corporation that manufactures microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP integrated circuits. Its products include microcontrollers ( PIC, dsPIC, AVR and SAM), Serial EEPROM ...

. The ICD family of

s has been produced since the release of the first Flash-based PIC microcontrollers, and the latest ICD 3 currently supports all current PIC and dsPIC devices. It is the most popular combination debugging/programming tool from Microchip. The REAL ICE

emulator In computing, an emulator is Computer hardware, hardware or software that enables one computer system (called the ''host'') to behave like another computer system (called the ''guest''). An emulator typically enables the host system to run so ...

is similar to the ICD, with the addition of better debugging features, and various add-on modules that expand its usage scope. The ICE is a family of discontinued in-circuit emulators for PIC and dsPIC devices, and is currently superseded by the REAL ICE.

MPLAB ICD

The MPLAB ICD is the first in-circuit debugger product by Microchip, and is currently discontinued and superseded by ICD 2.MPLAB®ICD Kit
Microchip The ICD connected to the engineer's PC via

RS-232 In telecommunications, RS-232 or Recommended Standard 232 is a standard originally introduced in 1960 for serial communication transmission of data. It formally defines signals connecting between a ''DTE'' (''data terminal equipment'') such a ...

, and connected to the device via ICSP. The ICD supported devices within the PIC16C and PIC16F families, and supported full speed execution, or single step interactive debugging. Only one hardware breakpoint was supported by the ICD.

MPLAB ICD 2

The MPLAB ICD 2 is a discontinued in-circuit debugger and programmer by Microchip, and is currently superseded by ICD 3.MPLAB ICD 2 In-Circuit Debugger
Microchip The ICD 2 connects to the engineer's PC via USB or

, and connects to the device via ICSP.MPLAB®ICD 2 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer
Microchip The ICD 2 supports most PIC and dsPIC devices within the PIC10, PIC12, PIC16, PIC18, dsPIC, rfPIC and PIC32 families, and supports full speed execution, or single step interactive debugging. At breakpoints, data and program memory can be read and modified using the

MPLAB MPLAB is a proprietary freeware integrated development environment for the development of embedded applications on PIC and dsPIC microcontrollers, and is developed by Microchip Technology.

IDE. The ICD 2 firmware is field upgradeable using the

MPLAB MPLAB is a proprietary freeware integrated development environment for the development of embedded applications on PIC and dsPIC microcontrollers, and is developed by Microchip Technology.

IDE. The ICD 2 can be used to erase, program or reprogram PIC MCU program memory, while the device is installed on target hardware, using ICSP. Target device voltages from 2.0V to 6.0V are supported.

MPLAB ICD 3

The MPLAB ICD 3 is an in-circuit debugger and programmer by Microchip, and is the latest in the ICD series.MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger
Microchip The ICD 3 connects to the engineer's PC via USB, and connects to the device via ICSP. The ICD 3 is entirely USB-bus-powered, and is 15x faster than the ICD 2 for programming devices. The ICD 3 supports all current PIC and dsPIC devices within the PIC10, PIC12, PIC16, PIC18, dsPIC, rfPIC and PIC32 families, and supports full speed execution, or single step interactive debugging. At breakpoints, data and program memory can be read and modified using the

MPLAB MPLAB is a proprietary freeware integrated development environment for the development of embedded applications on PIC and dsPIC microcontrollers, and is developed by Microchip Technology.

IDE. The ICD 3 firmware is field upgradeable using the

MPLAB MPLAB is a proprietary freeware integrated development environment for the development of embedded applications on PIC and dsPIC microcontrollers, and is developed by Microchip Technology.

IDE. The ICD 3 can be used to erase, program or reprogram PIC MCU program memory, while the device is installed on target hardware, using ICSP. Target device voltages from 2.0V to 5.5V are supported. The ICD 3 has over-voltage protection in the probe drivers to guard against power surges from the target. All lines have over-current protection. The ICD 3 can also provide power to a target, up to 100 mA.

MPLAB REAL ICE

The MPLAB REAL ICE (In-Circuit Emulator) is a high-speed emulator for Microchip devices. It debugs and programs PIC and dsPIC microcontrollers in conjunction with the

MPLAB MPLAB is a proprietary freeware integrated development environment for the development of embedded applications on PIC and dsPIC microcontrollers, and is developed by Microchip Technology.

IDE, while the target device is "in-circuit".MPLAB REAL ICE In-Circuit Emulator
Microchip WebsiteMicrocontrollers: High-Performance Systems and Programming
CRC Press, 28-Oct-2013 The REAL ICE is significantly faster than the ICD 2, for programming and debugging.Programming the PIC Microcontroller
Tata McGraw-Hill EducationPIC Microcontrollers: An Introduction to Microelectronics
Elsevier, 2011 The REAL ICE connects to the engineer's PC via a

USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply (interfacing) between computers, peripherals and other computers. A broad v ...

2.0 interface, and connects to the target device via ICSP (PGC/PGD programming pins), typically using a RJ11 connector.

LVDS Low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS), also known as TIA/EIA-644, is a technical standard that specifies electrical characteristics of a differential, serial signaling standard. LVDS operates at low power and can run at very high speeds ...

is also available for high-speed data transfer between the device and the REAL ICE. MPLAB REAL ICE is field upgradeable through firmware downloads in MPLAB IDE. The REAL ICE supports 8-bit devices (PIC10, PIC12, PIC16, PIC18), 16-bit devices (PIC24, dsPIC) and 32-bit devices (PIC32MX).Programming 32-bit Microcontrollers in C: Exploring the PIC32
Newnes, 08-Apr-2011

Performance Pak

The REAL ICE Performance Pak is an optional add-on to the REAL ICE, that consists of a High Speed Probe Driver and Receiver that employ two CAT5 cables.MPLAB REAL ICE PERFORMANCE PAK
Microchip Direct Debug pins are driven using LVDS communications, and the additional trace connections allow high speed serial trace uploads to the PC.

Isolator

The REAL ICE Isolator is an optional add-on to the REAL ICE, that enables connectivity to AC and High-voltage applications not referenced to ground.MPLAB REAL ICE Isolator
Microchip Direct Control signals are magnetically or optically isolated providing up to 2.5 kV equivalent isolation protection. The isolator acts as an isolated bridge, where signals are passed through with complete transparency to the MPLAB REAL ICE or

MPLAB MPLAB is a proprietary freeware integrated development environment for the development of embedded applications on PIC and dsPIC microcontrollers, and is developed by Microchip Technology.

IDE.

MPLAB ICE2000

The MPLAB ICE2000 is a discontinued in-circuit emulator for PIC and dsPIC devices.Networking and Internetworking with Microcontrollers
Elsevier, 30-Apr-2004 It has been superseded by the REAL ICE. The ICE2000 connects to the engineer's PC via a

parallel port In computing, a parallel port is a type of interface found on early computers (personal and otherwise) for connecting peripherals. The name refers to the way the data is sent; parallel ports send multiple bits of data at once ( parallel ...

interface, and a USB converter is available. The ICE2000 requires emulator modules, and the test hardware must provide a socket which can take either an emulator module, or a production device.

MPLAB ICE4000

The MPLAB ICE4000 is a discontinued in-circuit emulator for PIC and dsPIC devices. It has been superseded by the REAL ICE.MPLAB® ICE 4000
Microchip The ICE4000 is no longer directly advertised on Microchip's website, and Microchip states that it is not recommended for new designs. The ICE4000 connects to the engineer's PC via a USB 2.0 interface. PIC devices under debug with the ICE4000 ran at full speed, and the emulator supported unlimited breakpoints, and complex break/trigger logic. The emulator supported multiple external inputs and external outputs to sync with other instruments.

References

{{Microchip Technology Microcontrollers Electronic engineering Microchip Technology hardware