The original PICkit2 standalone software featured UART tool, which allows to use PICkit2 as logic level serial port. This feature was absent from original PICkit3 scripting tool. Recently, I have added the UART tool functionality to PICkit3 scripting firmware. It can be used with e.g. PICkitminus software.
The PICkit UART tool has limitation that it can be used only with
the PICkit software. The problem has been addressed already
before, original
idea is by kcsoft. I shamelessly stole his idea and added
this functionality to PICkitminus.
First, you need to install software which creates 'virtual null
modem cable'. It will basically create two virtual COM ports which
are linked together. I have done my tests using com0com. Another
possibility is Eterlogic VSPE, but I haven't tried that.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/com0com/
https://eterlogic.com/Products.VSPE.html
Then you must set up the above software to have at least one
virtual port pair. In com0com, you need to check 'use Ports
class', so the port names are COMxx and not CNCxx. Other settings
can be left to default. See below as example.
Then open the software you want to use for communication with your target (e.g. terminal). Open connection to one of the virtual ports.
Now, fire up PICkitminus and go to UART tool. Connect to PICkit
with desired baud rate as before. Then select the other virtual
port and connect. The traffic from PICkit with be forwarded to
that COM port. It could probably also be a real COM port instead
of virtual, but I haven't tried. Note that the maximum baud rate
with PICkit2 is 38400 baud. With PICkit3 and PK2M you can use up
to 115200 baud, and if data stream is not continuous, even higher.
kair.us/ projects/ pickitminus/ pickit2 and pickit3 as virtual com port
page created 26.6.2023
last updated 26.6.2023 webmaster@kair.us