Chapter 2. Theory Of Operation; Introduction; Mplab Icd 3 In-Circuit Debugger Vs. Mplab Ice 2000/4000 In-Circuit Emulators; Mplab Icd 3 In-Circuit Debugger Vs. Mplab Icd 2 Debugger - Microchip Technology MPLAB ICD 3 User Manual

Chapter 2. Theory of Operation

2.1

INTRODUCTION

A simplified description of how the MPLAB ICD 3 in-circuit debugger system works is
provided here. It is intended to provide enough information so a target board can be
designed that is compatible with the debugger for both emulation and programming
operations. The basic theory of in-circuit emulation and programming is described so
that problems, if encountered, are quickly resolved.
• MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger vs. MPLAB ICE 2000/4000 In-Circuit
Emulators

• MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger vs. MPLAB ICD 2 Debugger

• Debugger To Target Communication
• Communication Connections
• Debugging with the Debugger
• Requirements For Debugging
• Programming with the Debugger
• Resources Used by the Debugger
2.2 MPLAB ICD 3 IN-CIRCUIT DEBUGGER VS. MPLAB ICE 2000/4000
IN-CIRCUIT EMULATORS
The MPLAB ICD 3 in-circuit debugger system is a next generation In-Circuit Debugger
(ICD) system. It differs from classical in-circuit emulator systems (e.g., MPLAB ICE
2000/4000) in a single, but important way: the production device and emulation device
are the same.
This is a great benefit since differences (errata) between the production silicon and
emulation silicon are eliminated. Additionally, as devices continue to operate at faster
speeds, traditional emulator systems present bottlenecks caused by internal busses
that must be carried off-chip to external memories and cannot offer full speed
emulation.
Another significant benefit is that there is no lead time between production silicon and
emulation silicon. Further, a problem encountered on a production board can be easily
debugged without having to install transition sockets and dealing with complicated
cabling systems and setups to have access to the application.
2.3 MPLAB ICD 3 IN-CIRCUIT DEBUGGER VS. MPLAB ICD 2 DEBUGGER
The MPLAB ICD 3 in-circuit debugger system is similar in function to the MPLAB ICD
2 in-circuit debugger system, but surpasses it in speed and functionality. The MPLAB
ICD 3 also:
• Features USB high speed
• Is USB powered
• Is a hardware accelerator
• Provides a programmable voltage power supply
• Eliminates the RS-232 port
• Includes a diagnostic self-test interface board
© 2008 Microchip Technology Inc.
®
MPLAB ICD 3 IN-CIRCUIT
DEBUGGER USER'S GUIDE
DS51766A-page 13