Microchip Technology ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger DV164035 DV164035 Data Sheet

Install the Latest Software

Install the MPLAB® IDE software onto your PC using the MPLAB IDE CD-ROM 
or download the software from the MPLAB IDE page of the Microchip web site 
(www.microchip.com/MPLAB). Check the latest release notes for additional 
information. 

➊

➎

Program and Debug

1. Program your device.
2. As a programmer, MPLAB ICD 3 will automatically run your code. As a 

debugger, you can run, halt, single step and set breakpoints in your code.

Alternate Debugger System – ICE Device

Transition Socket

Device-ICE

Standard

Adapter

Header

USB from PC

Device-ICE

ICD Header

Configure PC USB Communications

➋

Connect the MPLAB ICD 3 in-circuit debugger to a PC USB port via a USB 
cable. If the drivers do not install automatically, then install the drivers as 
instructed in: C:\Program Files\Microchip\MPLAB IDE\ICD 3\
Drivers\

ddri.htm.

Note:

 

If a USB hub is used, the hub must be powered with its own power supply.

 

USB

PC

Build Your Project

1. Launch MPLAB IDE. 
2. Load your project or use the Project Wizard to create a new one.
4. Build your project based on your configurations and options.
5. Select the MPLAB ICD 3 as either a debugger (Debugger>Select Tool>ICD 3) 

or as a programmer (Programmer>Select Programmer>ICD 3).

Connect to Target Device

USB from PC

Typical Debugger System – Device with on-board ICE circuitry

Target Device

or PIM

1. Attach the MPLAB ICD 3 to the PC using the USB cable, if not already.
2. Attach the communications cable between the debugger and target board.
3. Connect power to the target board.

Target Connector Pinout

Modular Connector Pin

Microcontroller Pin

1

MCLR/V

PP

2

V

DD

3

Ground

4

PGD (ICSPDAT)

5

PGC (ICSPCLK)

6

LVP

*Target device must be running with an oscillator for the debugger to function as a debugger.

**If the device has AV

DD

 and AV

SS

 lines, they must be connected for the debugger to operate.

Standard Connection

At Target

Bottom View

Of Target Board

2   4   6

1   3   5

Reserved Resources

 

For information on reserved resources used by the debugger, see the MPLAB ICD 3 
on-line help.

The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo, MPLAB and PIC are registered trademarks of 
Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. The MPLAB Certified logo 

© 2008 Microchip Technology Inc., 9/08 DS51765A

www.microchip.com

is a trademark of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries.
© 2008 Microchip Technology Incorporated. Printed in the U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. 9/08 

Use the ICD 3 Test Interface Board to verify that the MPLAB ICD 3 is 
functioning properly: 
1. Disconnect the debugger from the target and PC.
2. Connect the ICD 3 Test Interface Board to the debugger using the 

modular cable.

3. Connect the debugger to the PC.
4. Select “MPLAB ICD 3” on either the Debugger or Programmer menu in 

MPLAB IDE.

5. From that menu, select “Settings”, Status tab, then click on Run ICD 3 

Test Interface. The status (pass/fail) is displayed in the Output window.

ICD 3 Test Interface Board

ICD 3 Test Interface Board

USB/Power

From PC

Modular Cable

Pin

Signal

LVP

1

PGC

2

PGD

3

Ground

4

V

DD

5

MCLR/V

PP

6

1 2 3 4 5 6

MPLAB ICD 3 RJ-11 Jack Pinout

 

• 

 

–

 they are 

dedicated for communications to MPLAB ICD 3.

• 

 

–

 they will divide the 

voltage levels since these lines have 4.7 k

Ω

 pull-down 

  resistors in MPLAB ICD 3.
 

 

 

–

 they will prevent 

fast transitions on data and clock lines during 
programming and debug communications.

 

 

 

–

 they will prevent 

fast transitions of V

PP

.

 

 

 

–

 they will prevent 

bidirectional communication between MPLAB ICD 3 and 
the target PIC® MCU.

Target Circuit Design Precautions

Target Application PC Board

2
1

5
4

3

Target V

DD

 (tV

DD

)

V

DD

PGC
PGD

V

SS

AV

DD

**

AV

SS

**

XTAL*

te

gr

aT

noi

ta

cil

pp

A

eci

ve

D

V

PP

/MCLR

Incorrect

X

X

X

X

2
1

5
4

3

DD

Target V

DD

 (tV )

4.7 -

10 kΩ

Typical

Target Application PC Board

V

DD

PGC
PGD

V

SS

AV

DD

**

AV

SS

**

XTAL*

te

gr

aT

noi

ta

cil

pp

A

eci

ve

D

tV

DD

4.7 kΩ

4.7 kΩ

tV

DD

tV

DD

tV

DD

tV

DD

MPLAB ICD 3

Internal Circuitry (Simplified)

Target V

DD

(tV

DD

) is used 

to power the 

Input/Output

drivers in

MPLAB

ICD 3 

debugger

V

PP

Correct

V

PP

/MCLR

Recommended Settings

Oscillator 

• 

OSC bits set properly

 

• 

Running

Power 

Supplied by target

WDT 

Disabled (device dependent)

Code-Protect 

Disabled

Table Read Protect  Disabled

LVP 

Disabled

BOD 

V

DD

 > BOD V

DD 

min

JTAG 

Disabled

AV

DD

  and AV

SS

 

Must be connected

PGCx/PGDx 

Proper channel selected, if 

 

applicable

Programming 

V

DD

 voltage levels meet 

 

programming specs

Note: See the “MPLAB ICD 3 User’s Guide” (DS51766) for more 

  component and setting information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Circuitry and Connector Pinouts 

™