F629 PIC Programmer

The aim of the this programmer was principally to program the PIC 12F629. But as
the PIC 12F675, PIC16F630 and PIC16F676 have same electrical and logical
programming interface, I have extented the compatibility to these 3 PIC models.

Their are many PIC 12F629 very simple programmer but all required a separate
power supply. The smarter ones are taking it from the PC through a USB connector.
Though I wanted to get rid of this second connector to make the easiest
programmer for the PIC12F629.

When using WxPic it is compatible with the JDM(2) adapter for serial port. Use this
adapter selection to operate the F629 programmer.

My F629 programmer

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Schema
The F629 programmer Schema

The problem to solve for programming the PIC12F629 without external power
supply is to build 2 supply voltages (+5 and +13V) and to be able to raise the +13V
before the +5V. Most of the components in this schema are dedicated to this
purpose.

To get 13V from the serial port it is not possible to use the ground of the interface
as the 0V reference. It is necessary to use the negative voltage produced by the
interface. So the VSS of the PIC will be set to -5V from the interface GND. This
negative voltage is produced throught the PIC clamping diodes when the RTS
(clock) or CTS (data) are brought down and regulated by Z1. The PIC12F629
clamping diodes accept up to 25mA wich is more that what the serial port can
produce. Therefore, without installed PIC the supply voltage cannot be produced.
C1 allows to keep the 5V while the clock and data are high.

The 13V is then easy to produce: TxD will be clamped to 8V by a 7.5V zener in serie
with a diode. The diode is necessary to allow to drive TxD to VSS without being
clamped to the ground by the direct current of the zener.

The PIC VDD cannot be connected directly to the ground because the PIC12F629
requires that 13V raises few microseconds before 5V. This means that during these
microseconds VSS is -5V, GP3 (VPP) is +8V and VDD must be -5V. The role of Q1 is
to connect VDD to the ground after VPP has raised. The few micro-second delay is
obtained by C2 discharging. A FET transitor is necessary because the current though
the VDD pin may go in both directions. Usually it enters in the PIC but when clock is
high, its clamping generates a current output from VDD.

This VDD output clamping current is an issue when Q1 is blocked. It prevents VDD
to stay low as it should, it could event raise the voltage on VDD higher than GND
with a risk of overflow of maximum VDD. Q2 is dedicated to avoid this issue by
disconnecting the clock input from RTS when Q1 is blocked.

Q3 is used to adapt the voltage range between the PIC data pin [-5V, 0] and the
interface approximatively [-5V, 5V] in both direction. It is used in common based
mode. The emitter and collector roles are reversed when it is the interface that
drives the data.

R2 is used as a pull up when the PIC drives the data, and transmits the signal in the
other direction. To improve the signal quality that must reach -5V at low level, D2
limits the loss of negative voltage that may occur through R2. It helps when the
interface has a limited voltage range. But it may be omitted with a compliant RS232
interface.

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Printed Circuit Board

The F629 programmer PCB viewed from copper side

The F629 programmer parts viewed from component side

The figures above describe the PCB for the programmer. To print these document in
actual size the following pdf files should be used. Note that the PCB in the pdf is
provided viewed from the component side. This allows to print it and used the
printed sheet as a mask with the printed ink touching the photosensible coat.

 F629 programmer PCB in pdf

 F629 programmer part drawings in pdf

The main copper area is connected to the ground. Remember that this ground is
not the PIC VSS. As you can see I like to maximize the ground plan. Though this is
not a high frequency device that would require a ground plan, I reduce the use of
ferric chloride.

Note that the PIC socket is mounted on the copper side. The 5 pins that must be
soldered have a large pad outside of the circuit to help that operation. A 14-pin
socket is used, though the PIC12F629 needs only 8, to accomodate properly the
PIC16F630 and PIC16F676. Take care to mount the socket in the right direction in
order that you get the right indication of the PIC mounting direction. The half circle
on the PCB should help you to find the right direction.

The mounting of the PIC must always put the Pin1 in socket's pin 1, for a 8-pin or
14-pin PIC.

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Mounting

To fit in a small box the components have to be mounted close to the board. The
transistors must be inserted the closest as possible. The electrochemical capacitor
has to be laid on the reserved place.

The mounting of the components

The soldering is easy except for the integrated circuit socket. I have reused an old
socket that has the advantage to be fixed with 2 screws diam 2mm. This avoids to
force on the soldering when inserting and especially removing the PIC while
soldering on the copper side reduces the resistance of the assemblage.
The socket on soldering side

The indications on the PCB should help you when soldering the cable coming from
the DB9 (the higher mistake risk in this realisation is there). To help again in this
direction below is the DB9 RS232 pinout for our 5 signals viewed as you will see it
when you will solder the wires to the pins (either the front view of the male
connector or the rear view of the female connector).

The RS232 DB9 connector from the rear of the female connector