Setting up the Microchip MPLAB IDE and C Lite Compilers – Part 1
In Part 1 of this tutorial I am going to show how to set up the Microchip MPLAB IDE with the free MPLAB C Lite Compilers.
In Part 2 we are going to open up a sample MPLAB project and compile it. The sample project is the GluonPilot FreeRTOS based autopilot.
Microchip MPLAB IDE
MPLAB Preamble
Microchip has provided a FREE Lite version of their paid MPLAB C compilers. The only limitation on the Lite version of the MPLAB C compiler is that it doesn't offer advanced compiler optimizations and as such makes slightly larger Hex firmware files. This isn't a big problem for most hobbyists getting started in microcontroller programming. The nice thing about the Lite compilers is the fact they don't have any saving limitations and they don't expire.
You can download MPLAB and the MPLAB C Lite Compilers from Microchip if you register for a free MyMicrochip account on the Microchip website.
Step 1. Download MPLAB
Start by going to the MPLAB product page.
On the MPLAB product page scroll down to the bottom of the page and download the file named:
MPLAB IDE v8.83
Download PLAB C Compiler for PIC32
Next we need to go to the PIC32 C compiler for MPLAB product page.
On the MPLAB C Compiler for PIC32 product page scroll down to the bottom of the page and download the file named:
MPLAB C Compiler for PIC32 v2.02
Download PLAB C Compiler for dsPIC
Then go to the dsPIC C compiler for MPLAB product page.
On the MPLAB C Compiler for PIC24 and dsPIC product page scroll down to the bottom of the page and download the file named:
MPLAB C Compiler for PIC24 and dsPIC v3.31
Step 2. Install MPLAB
Unzip the file MPLAB_IDE_8_83.zip and double click on the setup.exe file to install MPLAB v8.83.
Install the MPLAB Tools version 8.83
Install the MPLAB HI-TECH C compiler.
When the MPLAB installer finishes it offers to install the HI-TECH C compiler for PIC micrcontrollers. Choose Yes.
If you want to run the HI-TECH C compiler installer separatly you can find it at:
C:\Program Files\Microchip\picc-9.83-win.exe
The HI-TECH C compiler works with PIC 10/12/16 microcontrollers.
MPLAB Installation Complete
Run the MPLAB IDE program from the Windows Start Menu for the first time.
MPLAB will offer to run the MPLAB ICD2 Setup Wizard. The Microchip ICD2 programmer module is used to flash firmware files to Microchip brand PIC / dsPIC / PIC32 microcontrollers using the MPLAB IDE.
Running the MPLAB ICD2 Setup Wizard
Select the Com Port for the ICD2 device.
Using the MPLAB IC2 Setup Wizard select the current COM port address for the ICD2 Programmer.
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