> -----Original Message-----
> From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu 
> [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu] On Behalf
> Of Olin Lathrop
> Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 12:41 AM
> 
>> Some means of knowing when target is drawing more current 
>> than can be supplied by the programmer.
> 
> Seriously though, there is no facility to measure target 
> power draw. 
>
>> Able to withstand a short of Vdd/Vpp to ground, if possible.  This
>> allows the programmer to be used with completely untested boards,
>> instead of having to use a current-limit supply for first power-up.
> 
> It will definitely tolerate such short without damage, not sure about
> continuing with proper operation though.

Maybe it is easier to put a fuse there. How will you implement
short circuit protection? It will most likely make the
circuits more complex. 

Another problem is over-voltage protection of PGC/PGD.
This may be a secondary consideration but ESD can kill the
programmer. Maybe a 6V2 zener is good to have on PGC/PGD.

>>> The interface spec and host software will be open.
>> Yay!  Calling all linux and Mac people...
> 
> The interface spec and host software for the existing programmers are
> already available at http://www.embedinc.com/picprg/sw.htm.  
> These will be enhanced to support the new features of this programmer, 
> but will otherwise be basically the same.
> 
Not so sure why there have not been any alternative host programs
for Easyprog. Maybe there are already too many PIC programmers
in the market. There are Xwisp2 for Wisp628, pk2/pyk for PICkit 2
and many others for simple programmers under Linux and possibly
Mac OS X and even FreeBSD and OS/2. Maybe they are already good
enough. On top of these, there are cheap ICD2 clones and PS+ clones.

But the ICD2 debugging ability will definitely be a big plus
if it is implemented. However I guess then Olin may not
be able to open the host software due to the NDA...

Regards,
Xiaofan


-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist