HOODMICRO:FAQ

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HOODMICRO provides a low cost way to quickly develop microcontroller circuits using the PIC12F629, PIC12F675, and PIC12F683 microcontrollers.

How come the LED doesn't light up during programming?

The LED is only for testing firmware actually running on the PIC microcontroller. Look in the Example Firmware area for some example firmware that will blink the LED. Unless you are running code that specifically turns the LED on, the LED will not light up.

Some PIC programmers light up LEDs during programming. We don't allow the LED to light during programming mode because we want to draw as little current from the serial port as possible. Serial ports are designed to provide limited current, and different computers have lower current limits than others. To work properly on as many computers as possible, we save power by keeping the LED turned off during programming mode.

My circuit isn't working, how can I test my firmware?

Since the HOODMICRO can both Program and Execute code, you can test firmware code in the HOODMICRO instead of using your target circuit. This can really save you a ton of time and hair pulling in certain instances.

  • Connect the HOODMICRO to your serial port. Disconnect anything connected to the DB25 connector of the HOODMICRO.
  • Program and verify the PICmicro inside the HOODMICRO using WinPic (make sure the HOODMICRO's switch is in the Program position).
  • Flip the HOODMICRO's switch into the Execute position (the switch has the letter E stamped on the execute side, PCB also labeled with EXE).
Interface Settings for Execute Mode
Interface Settings for Execute Mode
  • In WinPic's Interface tab, turn off all of the test checkboxes except for the VPP checkbox (as shown in image to the side).
  • The PICmicro should be executing your program now. Hook up a voltmeter across pin 7 (GND) and any of the GPIO signal pins of the DB25 connector to verify it is working.

Don't forget to turn off the VPP checkbox and flip the HOODMICRO's switch back into the Program position before trying to burn more firmware files.

I'm building my HOODMICRO from the bare PCB. What order should I solder components down?

Solder in whatever order works best for you, but this works for me:

  1. R1
  2. U2
  3. C6
  4. D1
  5. R11
  6. C2
  7. D2
  8. R10
  9. R6
  10. R8, R9, R12
  11. R2 (if applicable)
  12. C4, C5, C3 (if applicable)
  13. R4, R3 (if applicable)
  14. R5 (if applicable)
  15. U1
  16. S1
  17. X1, X2
  18. C1
  19. D3
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