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How to burn or program PIC

Microcontroller?
By
Jaseem vp
15 Comments
How to program or burn .HEX file to a PIC microcontroller? The method of transferring
compiled .HEX (machine code) file to the memory of microcontroller using microcontroller
burning software is called burning or programming of a microcontroller. Once a program is
burned into the memory of the microcontroller, it then works with respect to the program logic.

What is a compiler? Which compiler is suitable for PIC microcontroller environment? A

compiler is a software like ‘Mikro C’ which provides an environment to develop embedded
program, test, debug and build .Hex for the microcontroller. And for the second question, surely
I can say ‘Mikro C Pro’ is the best microcontroller software for PIC family. The advantage of
‘Mikro C’ is that it has so many inbuilt functions to perform different tasks along with
microcontroller programming software (Boot loader- burning tool or burning software). It
is the better Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for PIC family of microcontrollers and
allows C language for code development. Finally the compiler converts the embedded C codes in
to .HEX file.

 How to build .HEX file using Mikro C?

 PIC- Basic connection circuit

Tools required to burn/ program a PIC Microcontroller

1. PIC programmer (burner) or development board. If you don’t have the programmer,
read how to build your own USB PIC programmer.
2. Serial port cable (Latest laptops don’t have serial port, if you are using laptop you need a
USB to serial port converter cable- costs about $5)
3. Microcontroller burning software like Bootloader in ‘Mikro C‘

Burn PIC Microcontroller

 Our aim is to transfer this .HEX file to the memory of PIC microcontroller.

 To program a microcontroller you need a device called a burner/programmer and a

software (Boot loader).

 The burner and the dedicated software perform the function of transferring .HEX file into
the PIC.

 The burner is connected to the PC via a serial port cable. For laptops we use USB to
serial port cable.

 ‘Mikro C’ has inbuilt ‘boot loader’ tool to burn your PIC microcontroller. Connect your
PIC programmer to the PC and navigate to Tools>>mikroBootloader in Mikro C. Then
a Bootloader window will appear.
 You can see ‘Setup Port’ button on the right top corner. If you are using PC and serial
port cable select ‘COM1’.

 For laptop and USB to serial port cable you need to verify the port number via system
Device manager. For this open Control panel>>Device manager and check the COM
port number (eg: COM9) as shown in figure.
 Select the same port from the port setup window after setting the specific port and click
the OK button.
 Now click ‘Connect’ button, a message will appear in the ‘History window’ box with
“Waiting PIC response; Disconnected”. Then you will have to ‘Reset‘ to get
connected.

 For that look at your development board or PIC burner and press the ‘Reset’ button of
PIC. Then rapidly click the connect button in the mikroBootloader window. Now you
will be able see “Connected” in the history window.

 Now click ‘Open HEX file’ button and select the .HEX file that you had built in the
folder (project directory) before.
 Then click ‘Start Bootloader’ button to burn the PIC microcontroller. You will be able
to see the burning process via the ‘Terminal window’.

 After the burning process a message box will appear saying “Reset PIC”. Click OK and
now you are finished with the PIC microcontroller burning…!
Was this tutorial helpful to you? Let us know through the comment box below.

Related PIC articles

 LED dancing light using PIC microcontroller
 LCD interfacing with PIC

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Related Circuits:

Getting started with PIC Microcontroller Programming

LED Interfacing with PIC Microcontroller: Embedded C program with circuit

How to Build your Own USB PIC Programmer? LED Dancing light using
PIC Microcontroller: Beginner’s guide

15 thoughts on “How to burn or program PIC

Microcontroller?”

1. David

January 1, 2013 at 6:36 pm

Sir,
I'm a PIC microcontroller beginner. I'm using MPLAB for PIC programming. Whether
Mikro C or MPLAB is simple?

Reply

o admin

January 1, 2013 at 6:38 pm

Hi David,
We recommend 'Mikcro C pro' for your code development

Reply

2. Kapil

January 1, 2013 at 6:37 pm

I know Mikro C programming but don't know the burning tool 'mikroBootloader' is new
to me, Thanks. This article is easy to understand
 Reply

o Admin

July 9, 2013 at 10:27 am

Hi Kapil,

Glad to see you here. Keep visiting for more microcontroller related articles.

Reply

3. Nicolas

January 1, 2013 at 6:37 pm

good article

Reply

o Admin

July 9, 2013 at 10:28 am

Thanks Nicolas for your feedback which makes us motivated.

Reply

4. Zack

January 1, 2013 at 6:38 pm

Hi good day!
I'm thankful for this article and I'm waiting for more…
btw, can you teach to build my own pic programmer…
 I'm hoping for your reply
thanks a lot bro.

Reply

o Admin

July 9, 2013 at 10:29 am

Hi Zack,

In response to your request,we have published an article on how to build your

own pic programmer. See How to build your Own USB Pic programmer?

Reply

5. ATUL PATEL

August 11, 2013 at 4:12 pm

plz sir help me, which pic microcontroller ic is cheap?????????

i require very small rom,ram etc.., i run led on off only.., plz reply me sir…, thank you…

Reply

o Admin

August 15, 2013 at 11:03 am

Hi Atul,
PIC16F676 is one of the cheap IC, also wide verities of PIC are available in
market.

Reply

6. taher
 November 30, 2013 at 11:14 pm

Hi i try to connect the programmer with USB converter but no response the programmer
like JDM or which type of programmer with the micro C loader

Reply

o Admin

December 2, 2013 at 6:26 pm

Hi Taher,
Recently we had published a simple USB PIC Programmer. Please check out this
USB PIC Programmer

Reply

7. Bharat Sharma

January 10, 2014 at 2:00 pm

Good article.what is the overall cost of these burning tools?

Reply

8. AKSAR

February 20, 2014 at 4:34 pm

keil microvision software is able to do burning of a microcontroller? is keil supports pic

controllers?

Reply

o Jaseem vp
 February 21, 2014 at 4:48 pm

Hi Askar,
No Keil does not support PIC controllers. You should go for other compilers like
MIKRO-C, HI-tech C.
I hope the following link will be helpful to you Getting Started with PIC,
Mickro C

Also try our USB PIC Programmer to explore PIC microcontrollers.

Reply

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About me

I am Jaseem, part time blogger & Graduated Engineer in Electronics and Communication from
reputed university in India.
Computer and technology has been my passion since I was a child.

Professionally I am working in one of the Middle East country in the field of Telecommunication
and system administration.

Now even after having a full time job... [Read More]

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