MPLAB® Development Ecosystem: Debugger/Programmer Interfaces

To debug or program a target device, you must connect the debugger/programmer to the target using a communication interface supported by the device. See your device datasheet and hardware tool documentation for details.

Hardware Tools - PIC® MCUs

All MPLAB® Development Ecosystem hardware tools use in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) for communication with a PIC MCU target. This is also called standard communication. For an example, see Emulator Standard Communication.

Current tools:

Legacy tools that are still supported:

  • PICkit 3 In-Circuit Debugger
  • MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger
  • MPLAB REAL ICE™ In-Circuit Emulator
  • MPLAB PM3 Programmer

Other communication options are available depending on the device, tool, and available accessories.

For MPLAB ICE 4:

  • High-Speed Communication - High-speed 40-pin ribbon cable for ISCP or JTAG (included in the kit).
  • JTAG - PIC32 Instruction Trace Adapter Board (included in the kit).

For legacy MPLAB REAL ICE:

Hardware Tools - AVR®, SAM, CEC MCUs

There are many different target communication choices depending on the target device. Below is a list of hardware tools that support some of these connections:

  • MPLAB PICkit 4 In-Circuit Debugger with the Debugger Adapter Board (AC102015) - JTAG, SWD
  • MPLAB ICD 4 In-Circuit Debugger with the Debugger Adapter Board (AC102015) - JTAG, SWD
  • MPLAB ICE 4 In-Circuit Emulator with the High-speed 40-pin ribbon cable (included in the kit). Legacy communication adapter boards are also included.
  • Atmel-ICE Debugger - JTAG, PDI, ISP/debugWire, SPI, UPDI, SWD
  • Xplained and Curiosity boards - dependent on on-board device communication features

Select the interface in MPLAB X IDE through Project Properties > Debug Tool > Communication > Interface.

As more device support is added in MPLAB X IDE, more interface options may also be supported.

© 2024 Microchip Technology, Inc.
Notice: ARM and Cortex are the registered trademarks of ARM Limited in the EU and other countries.
Information contained on this site regarding device applications and the like is provided only for your convenience and may be superseded by updates. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application meets with your specifications. MICROCHIP MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WRITTEN OR ORAL, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, RELATED TO THE INFORMATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ITS CONDITION, QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PURPOSE. Microchip disclaims all liability arising from this information and its use. Use of Microchip devices in life support and/or safety applications is entirely at the buyer's risk, and the buyer agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Microchip from any and all damages, claims, suits, or expenses resulting from such use. No licenses are conveyed, implicitly or otherwise, under any Microchip intellectual property rights.