I downloaded the user guide and schematics yesterday.
It is a pity that the firmware source code is not available.
Actually the programming protocol is not available either.
I am not so sure whether they will release the firmware
code any more after I see the potential capability of the
PICkit 2. Therefore WH Tan's work is still quite interesting 
(to port PICkit 1 16C745 to 18F2550).

>From the schematics, the implementation of the Vpp power
is the same as PICkit 1. Not so sure if the firmware is
better. There are quite some circuitry added for the
target Vdd adjustment. The target Vdd seems to be able to
be adjusted from 5V downwards.

>From the host application, it is aiming quite high.
It now supports baseline and mid-range 12F and 16F. It
also has menu options for 18F, 18J (0.25um parts)
and dsPIC! However these options are not enabled now. 

The 2 EEPROMs and the push-button are there. I think they 
are for off-line programming.

Regards,
Xiaofan
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Rages [mailto:markrages@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2005 4:48 AM

> > Finally the informations are posted there...
> >
http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&
dDocName=en023805
> >
So, in summary:
- PIC18F2550 inside
- Bootloader upgradeable
- Schematics are given
- Firmware source is not given.  Yuck!
- Programming is ICSP with optional daughterboard.
- Target can use USB power or other power.  PICKit 2 includes FETs to
switch external power.

Regards,
Mark
markrages@gmail

-----Original Message-----
From: Wouter van Ooijen [mailto:wouter@voti.nl]
Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2005 5:26 AM
Also note that the doc states 'able to program most flash chips', so it
is aimed 'higher' than the Baseline Flash Programmer or the PicKit 1.
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