User manual

MPLAB
®
X PICkit™ 3 USER’S GUIDE
 2013 Microchip Technology Inc. DS52116A-page 49
Chapter 7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
7.1 INTRODUCTION
Look here for answers to frequently asked questions about the PICkit 3 In-Circuit
Debugger/Programmer system.
• How Does It Work
•What’s Wrong
7.2 HOW DOES IT WORK
• What's in the silicon that allows it to communicate with the PICkit 3
In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer?
PICkit 3 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer can communicate with Flash silicon via
the ICSP interface. It uses the debug executive downloaded into program or test
memory.
• How is the throughput of the processor affected by having to run the debug
executive?
The debug executive doesn’t run while in Run mode, so there is no throughput
reduction when running your code, i.e., the debugger doesn’t ‘steal’ any cycles
from the target device.
• How does the PICkit 3 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer compare with other
in-circuit emulators/debuggers?
Please refer to Section 2.2 “Tools Comparison”.
• Does the PICkit 3 In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer have complex
breakpoints like other in-circuit emulators/debuggers?
No. But you can break based on a value in a data memory location or program
address.
• Is the PICkit 3 opto isolated or electrically isolated?
No. You cannot apply a floating or high voltage (120V) to the current system.
• What limitations are there with the standard cable?
The standard ICSP RJ-11 cable does not allow for clock speeds greater than
about 15 Mbps.
• Will the PICkit 3 slow down the running of the program?
No, the device will run at any speed that is specified in the device data sheet.
• Is it possible to debug a dsPIC DSC running at any speed?
The PICkit 3 is capable of debugging at any device speed as specified in the
device data sheet.
• What is the function of pin 6, the LVP pin?
Pin 6 is reserved for the LVP (Low-Voltage Programming) connection.