On 4/5/06, Wouter van Ooijen <wouter@voti.nl> wrote:
> > Programming a PIC in circuit isn't done by itself.
> > (snip some calculations)
>
> I fully agree with Olin's 'calculated' approach, but I think in some
> cases (often?) there will be some non-zero extra circuit cost to
> accomodate the ICSP (isolation resistors, board area for connections).
> This cost would favour pre-programming.
>

In our experience, pre-programming is in generall cheaper than
ICSP for almost all quantities (a few 100 to 150kpcs per year)
in the typical manufacturing setup. But this is calculated in
Singapore where labor cost is not low at all (about half of USA).
If it is in China maybe Olin's calculation is correct.

Still ICSP is used for some cases where too many versions of
firmwares will be used (eg: to parameterize the same board to
different product).

Regards,
Xiaofan

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