Information
In-Circuit Emulators and Debuggers
Microchip offers three universal debuggers. They share 
design platforms, support all microcontroller and DSC 
families, are USB-powered and fully integrated with MPLAB 
X IDE. MPLAB ICD3 offers debugging and hardware 
features sufficient for the needs of most users. PICkit™ 3 
Debugger/Programmer is the economical choice for basic 
debugging functions. MPLAB REAL ICE™ In-Circuit Emulator 
offers advanced features—like data capture, trace, logic 
triggers and high-speed debugging up to 10 feet—usually 
available only on expensive and high-end emulators. Both 
MPLAB REAL ICE In-Circuit Emulator and MPLAB ICD 3 can 
be used as programmers in a production environment.
MPLAB
ICD 3 Debugger/Programmer (DV164035)
MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger 
System is Microchip's most cost-
effective high-speed hardware debugger/
programmer for Microchip Flash 
Digital Signal Controller (DSC) and 
microcontroller (MCU) devices. It debugs and programs 
PIC Flash microcontrollers and dsPIC DSCs with the 
powerful, yet easy-to-use graphical user interface of MPLAB 
Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The MPLAB 
ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger probe is connected to the design 
engineer's PC using a high-speed USB 2.0 interface and is 
connected to the target with a connector compatible with 
the MPLAB REAL ICE In-Circuit Emulator systems (RJ-11).
 ■ MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger is designed to support 
high-speed processors running at maximum speeds, 
allowing embedded engineers to debug applications on 
their own hardware in real time.
 ■ Protection circuitries are added to the probe drivers to 
guard the probe kit from power surges from the target. 
V
DD and VPP voltage monitors protect against over-voltage 
conditions, and all lines have over-current protection. The 
unit can provide power to a target (up to 100ma).
 ■ Housed in a small (3.7" × .8") and attractive enclosure, 
the MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger is powered by 
the USB port so an external power adapter is not 
required. MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger is CE and 
RoHS-compliant.
 ■ Fast programming allows both quick fi rmware reload 
for fast debugging and for in-circuit re-programming. 
Programming times are improved up to 15× over 
MPLAB ICD 2.
 ■ MPLAB ICD 3 supports target supply voltages 
from 2.0–5.5V.
 ■ Included with every MPLAB ICD3 is a test module to 
test I/O lines to confi rm the unit is working properly.
 ■ Adding new device support and advanced features 
to MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger is as simple 
as installing later versions of the MPLAB X IDE, 
downloadable for free. MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger 
is fi eld upgradeable through a fi rmware download from 
MPLAB X IDE.
 ■ Allows debugging with MPLAB X IDE, supporting multiple 
breakpoints, stopwatch, source code fi le debugging in 
MPLAB’s editor for quick program modifi cation/debug.
PICkit 3 In-Circuit Debugger (PG164130)
The PICkit 3 Debug Express allows debugging 
and programming of PIC Flash microcontrollers 
and dsPIC DSCs using the powerful graphical 
user interface of the MPLAB X IDE.
 ■  USB (Full speed 12 Mbits/s 
interface to host PC)
 ■ Real-time execution
 ■ Firmware upgradeable from PC/web download
 ■ Totally enclosed
 ■ Supports low voltage to 2.0V (2.0–6.0V range)
 ■ Diagnostic LEDs (power, busy, error)
 ■ Read/write program and data memory 
of microcontroller
 ■ Erase of program memory space with verifi cation
 ■ Freeze-peripherals at breakpoint
MPLAB REAL ICE In-Circuit Emulator (DV244005)
MPLAB REAL ICE In-Circuit Emulator 
System is Microchip’s next generation 
high-speed emulator for Microchip Flash 
DSC and MCU devices. It debugs and 
programs PIC and dsPIC Flash microcontrollers with the 
easy-to-use but powerful graphical user interface of the 
MPLAB X IDE, included with each kit. The MPLAB REAL 
ICE In-Circuit Emulator probe is connected to the design 
engineer's PC using a high-speed USB 2.0 interface and is 
connected to the target with either a connector compatible 
with the popular MPLAB ICD 3 system (RJ11) or with the 
high-speed, noise-tolerant, low-voltage differential signal 
(LVDS) interconnection (CAT5).
MPLAB REAL ICE In-Circuit Emulator is field upgradeable 
through future firmware downloads in MPLAB X IDE. In 
upcoming releases of MPLAB X IDE, new devices will be 
supported and new features added.
 ■ Real-time execution and real-time trace collection
 ■ Stopwatch
 ■ Real-time watch
 ■ Full hardware debugging: breakpoints, single-step, 
variable inspect/modify
 ■ Logic probe inputs/outputs (8)
 ■ I/O Port trace and SPI trace options for high-speed 
upload of trace data
 ■ High-speed/LVDS communication via the MPLAB REAL 
ICE In-Circuit Emulator Performance Pak (AC244002)
 ■ Debugging of low pin-count devices and devices without 
debugging capabilities via the MPLAB REAL ICE In-
Circuit Emulator Processor Extension Paks (various)
 ■ Emulation of high-voltage AC applications via the MPLAB 
REAL ICE In-Circuit Emulator Isolator (AC244005)
 ■ PIC32 4-wire JTAG connectivity via the MPLAB REAL ICE 
In-Circuit Emulator JTAG Adapter (AC244007)
 ■ Power measurement and power profi ling via the MPLAB 
REAL ICE In-Circuit Emulator Power Monitor (AC244008)
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Quick Guide to Microchip Development Tools










