The APP-III PIC18F252 Programming Kit

Shown customized without power supply

Have you tried to learn PIC programming and been put off by banking and the minimalist instruction set? Are you an experienced PIC programmer looking for a more powerful PIC? Then the APP-III is for you! Although the PIC 16F-series is very popular, it has many limitations that make it hard to learn and even harder to use. Microchip's 18F series has many powerful features including:

	16K words of instructions (32K bytes) with no banking
	1.5K of RAM (banking is required if you need more than 384 bytes)
	Special function registers are non-banked
	256 bytes of EEPROM
	A 32-level stack that is user-accessible
	Two levels of interrupts
	Support for automatic context save/restore for interrupt handlers
	An advanced instruction set that includes hardware multiply, and register to register transfers
	Three indirect registers with sophisticated indexing features
	An efficient way to read data from program storage
	The usual compliment of PIC I/O (UARTs, A/D, etc.) – many are improved (for example, timer 0 has an optional 16-bit mode)

Key Links

	Manual
	Software Resources
	Tutorial

Now with the APP-III you can quickly and easily develop programs for this powerful processor. You don't need a Programmer! Look at these great features:

	Supports MPLAB the free assembler/development environment from Microchip (or any tool that generates 8-bit hex files)
	Up to 22 digital I/O ports (19 unrestricted)
	Full serial port available to your program
	5 channels of 10-bit A/D
	1.5K bytes of RAM
	256 bytes of EEPROM
	15.8K of program words (32Kbytes - 512 bytes)
	Can connect directly to a solderless breadboard
	Self-contained 7805 regulator on PC board

Downloads: Tutorials, Manual, Resources online

Please note that this is a kit and does require soldering and basic electronic tools. This allows you to customize the board to fit your needs. All the parts are through hole, and the solder masked board is very easy to assemble.

Frequently Asked Questions (APP-III)

Q: What are the differences between the APP-III and an ordinary PIC18F252?
A: The APP-III doesn't require a programmer. However, this also means that there are a few differences. In particular, your program starts at location 0x200 (with interrupt vectors at 0x208 and 0x218). Port B pin 7 is not generally available for your use. You must use a HS-mode clock. Your program is free to use the serial port, but you should refrain from using the two serial port pins as general-purpose I/O unless you disconnect them before programming.

Q: Can I program a regular PIC with my APP-III code?
A: Yes. An APP-III program will run on any PIC18F252 (or similar processor). You simply include a stub to replace the bootloader or rebase your code from location 0 instead of 0x200.

Q: Can you supply the APP-III on other PIC18F chips?
A: Yes, by special order. Minimum quantity restrictions may apply.

Q: Does the APP-III support 16F parts?
A: No. But the APP-II does.

Q: Can I refit an APP-II or GPMPU28 to use the APP-III chip?
A: Yes. However, the programming jumper is in a different location. You will have to add a two-pin header to your board in a different location.

Get it Now!

The APP-III kits are available today.

	APP-III PIC Complete Kit with power supply (includes PC board and all components, manual, IC and resonator -- you supply your own breadboard and 9V battery) $44.95 each
	Extra APP-III chip and 20MHz ceramic resonator $15.50 each
	Serial cable (DB9 female to male, 6') $8.99