The ICD family of debuggers has been produced since the release of the first Flash-based PIC microcontrollers, and the latest ICD 3 currently supports all current PIC and dsPIC devices. It is the most popular combination debugging/programming tool from Microchip.
The REAL ICE emulator is similar to the ICD, with the addition of better debugging features, and various add-on modules that expand its usage scope. The ICE is a family of discontinued in-circuit emulators for PIC and dsPIC devices, and is currently superseded by the REAL ICE.
MPLAB ICD
The MPLAB ICD is the first in-circuit debugger product by Microchip, and is currently discontinued and superseded by ICD 2.[1] The ICD connected to the engineer's PC via RS-232, and connected to the device via ICSP.[1]
The ICD supported devices within the PIC16C and PIC16F families, and supported full speed execution, or single step interactive debugging.[1] Only one hardware breakpoint was supported by the ICD.[1]
MPLAB ICD 2
The MPLAB ICD 2
The MPLAB ICD 2 is a discontinued in-circuit debugger and programmer by Microchip, and is currently superseded by ICD 3.[2] The ICD 2 connects to the engineer's PC via USB or RS-232, and connects to the device via ICSP.[3]
The ICD 2 supports most PIC and dsPIC devices within the PIC10, PIC12, PIC16, PIC18, dsPIC, rfPIC and PIC32 families,[4] and supports full speed execution, or single step interactive debugging.[3] At breakpoints, data and program memory can be read and modified using the MPLAB IDE.[2] The ICD 2 firmware is field upgradeable using the MPLAB IDE.[2]
The ICD 2 can be used to erase, program or reprogram PIC MCU program memory, while the device is installed on target hardware, using ICSP.[2] Target device voltages from 2.0V to 6.0V are supported.[2]
MPLAB ICD 3
The MPLAB ICD 3
The MPLAB ICD 3 is an in-circuit debugger and programmer by Microchip, and is the latest in the ICD series.[5] The ICD 3 connects to the engineer's PC via USB, and connects to the device via ICSP.[5] The ICD 3 is entirely USB-bus-powered, and is 15x faster than the ICD 2 for programming devices.[5]
The ICD 3 supports all current PIC and dsPIC devices within the PIC10, PIC12, PIC16, PIC18, dsPIC, rfPIC and PIC32 families, and supports full speed execution, or single step interactive debugging.[5] At breakpoints, data and program memory can be read and modified using the MPLAB IDE.[5] The ICD 3 firmware is field upgradeable using the MPLAB IDE.[5]
The ICD 3 can be used to erase, program or reprogram PIC MCU program memory, while the device is installed on target hardware, using ICSP.[5] Target device voltages from 2.0V to 5.5V are supported.[5]
The ICD 3 has over-voltage protection in the probe drivers to guard against power surges from the target.[5] All lines have over-current protection. The ICD 3 can also provide power to a target, up to 100 mA.[5]
MPLAB REAL ICE
The MPLAB REAL ICE
The MPLAB REAL ICE (In-Circuit Emulator) is a high-speed emulator for Microchip devices. It debugs and programs PIC and dsPIC microcontrollers in conjunction with the MPLAB IDE, while the target device is "in-circuit".[6][7] The REAL ICE is significantly faster than the ICD 2, for programming and debugging.[8][9]
The REAL ICE connects to the engineer's PC via a USB 2.0 interface, and connects to the target device via ICSP (PGC/PGD programming pins), typically using a RJ11 connector. LVDS is also available for high-speed data transfer between the device and the REAL ICE. MPLAB REAL ICE is field upgradeable through firmware downloads in MPLAB IDE.
The REAL ICE supports 8-bit devices (PIC10, PIC12, PIC16, PIC18), 16-bit devices (PIC24, dsPIC) and 32-bit devices (PIC32MX).[10]
Performance Pak
The REAL ICE Performance Pak is an optional add-on to the REAL ICE, that consists of a High Speed Probe Driver and Receiver that employ two CAT5 cables.[11] Debug pins are driven using LVDS communications, and the additional trace connections allow high speed serial trace uploads to the PC.[11]
Isolator
The REAL ICE Isolator is an optional add-on to the REAL ICE, that enables connectivity to AC and High-voltage applications not referenced to ground.[12] Control signals are magnetically or optically isolated providing up to 2.5 kV equivalent isolation protection.[12] The isolator acts as an isolated bridge, where signals are passed through with complete transparency to the MPLAB REAL ICE or MPLAB IDE.[12]
MPLAB ICE2000
The MPLAB ICE2000 is a discontinued in-circuit emulator for PIC and dsPIC devices.[13] It has been superseded by the REAL ICE.
The ICE2000 connects to the engineer's PC via a parallel port interface, and a USB converter is available. The ICE2000 requires emulator modules, and the test hardware must provide a socket which can take either an emulator module, or a production device.
MPLAB ICE4000
The MPLAB ICE4000
The MPLAB ICE4000 is a discontinued in-circuit emulator for PIC and dsPIC devices.[13] It has been superseded by the REAL ICE.[14] The ICE4000 is no longer directly advertised on Microchip's website, and Microchip states that it is not recommended for new designs.[14]
The ICE4000 connects to the engineer's PC via a USB 2.0 interface. PIC devices under debug with the ICE4000 ran at full speed, and the emulator supported unlimited breakpoints, and complex break/trigger logic.[14] The emulator supported multiple external inputs and external outputs to sync with other instruments.[14]
