PICkit 2 Clone

There are many PIC programmer available, commercial and DIY devices. As Microchip introduces the new microprocessors the programming software got to be updated accordingly playing catch-up with the PIC manufacturer. That is the root of the problem with third-party PIC programmers. Microchip's PICkit 2 is the low cost ICSP programmer for Flash PICs with USB interface introduced by Microchip. Only subset of PIC microcontrollers is supported, but the list is including all the recent devices from PIC16, PIC18 and PIC24 families and certainly covers all the PICs you are most likely want to use. It is fully integrated with Microchip’s MPLAB IDE and allow not only program but debug applications as well.

PICkit 2 was originally built by Microchip as open design programmer with the schematic, source code and firmware available to boost the popularity of the PIC devices. Because of that it is easy to build a clone version of the original device. Most of the clones will produce unregulated 5 volt VPP where the original Microchip PICkit 2 provides adjustable VPP output to allow 3.3 and 2.5 volt parts programming. 

The schematic I have used is based on the original PICkit 2 having compatibility to programe the low voltage devices, means can also provide 3.3v VPP as well as 5v VPP, and without programmer-to-go functionality. That functionality allowing a hex file to be downloaded to the PICkit 2 to later program PIC microcontrollers without a PC with a simple pressing programmer's push button. I do not think that functionality is required for a hobbyist but allows simplify the schematic by omitting two 24C512 EEPROM chips. Recently i tested PIC16F877a and PIC18F452 successfully.

Here is mine

ICSP

The pin-out for Microchip standard 6-pin connector for In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) is listed in table below:

Pin	Function
1	_MCLR/Vpp (programming voltage)
2	Vcc(+5V)
3	GND
4	Data
5	Clock
6	LVP (low-voltage programming mode control)

Downloads: Schematic n hex file

Schematic:

PICkit 2 clone

Pin Out:

USB b type connector

Components Required:
R1,R6,R11,R12,R14-------------------------10k ohm
R2,R3,R5------------------------------------330 ohm
R4,R8,R22,R23----------------------------4.7k ohm
R7--------------------------------------------1k ohm
R9--------------------------------------------100k ohm
R10------------------------------------------2.7k ohm
R13-------------------------------------------100 ohm
R15,R17,R19---------------------------------10 ohm
R16,R18,R20--------------------------------33 ohm
R21-------------------------------------------820 ohm
C1,C2-----------------------------------------22pF ceramic capacitor
C3,C5-----------------------------------------100nF ceramic capacitor
C4---------------------------------------------1uF/16v electrolyte cap
C6---------------------------------------------47uF/16v electrolyte cap
X1---------------------------------------------20MHz crystal
D1---------------------------------------------red LED
D2---------------------------------------------green LED
D3---------------------------------------------1N5817
D4---------------------------------------------4.3v zener diode
D5,D6-----------------------------------------1N4148
Q1,Q2,Q4,Q5---------------------------------BC548
Q3,Q6-Q8------------------------------------BC558
J1----------------------------------------------USB connector B type
J2----------------------------------------------3 pin jumper
J3----------------------------------------------6 pin connector
U1----------------------------------------------PIC18F2550
L1----------------------------------------------680uH
Misc-------------------------------------------Push Button