Contents

Notice to Customers 1. Introduction 1.1. Document Layout 1.2. Conventions Used in This Guide 1.3. Recommended Reading 2. About the Debugger 2.1. MPLAB PICkit 4 In-Circuit Debugger Description 2.2. MPLAB PICkit 4 In-Circuit Debugger Advantages 2.3. MPLAB PICkit 4 In-Circuit Debugger Components 2.4. MPLAB PICkit 4 Block Diagram 3. Operation 3.1. Debugger to Target Communication 3.1.1. Standard ICSP Device Communication 3.2. Target Communication Connections 3.2.1. Standard Communication Target Connection 3.2.2. Target Connection Circuitry 3.2.3. Target Powered 3.2.4. Debugger Powered 3.2.5. Circuits That Will Prevent the Debugger From Functioning 3.3. Debugging 3.4. Requirements for Debugging 3.4.1. Sequence of Operations Leading to Debugging 3.4.2. Debugging Details 3.5. Programming 3.6. Resources Used by the Debugger 4. Debugger Usage 4.1. Installation and Setup 4.2. Debug Tutorial 4.3. Quick Debug/Program Reference 4.4. Debugger Limitations 4.5. Common Debug Features 4.6. Connecting the Target Board 4.7. Setting Up the Target Board 4.7.1. Using Production Devices 4.7.2. Using ICE Devices 4.7.3. Using an ICD Header 4.7.4. Powering the Target 4.8. Setting Up MPLAB X IDE 4.9. Starting and Stopping Debugging 4.10. Viewing Processor Memory and Files 4.11. Breakpoints and Stopwatch 4.11.1. Breakpoint Resources 4.11.2. Hardware or Software Breakpoint Selection 4.11.3. Breakpoint and Stopwatch Usage 5. MPLAB PICkit 4 Programmer-To-Go 5.1. Power Requirements for Programmer-To-Go 5.2. Limitations for Programmer-To-Go 5.3. Setting up PICkit 4 for Programmer-To-Go Mode 5.3.1. Setting Up PTG Mode Using MPLAB X IDE 5.3.2. Setting Up PTG Mode with MPLAB IPE 5.3.3. Setting Up PTG Mode Without a Memory Card 5.4. Using Programmer-To-Go 5.5. Exiting Programmer-To-Go Mode 6. Troubleshooting 6.1. Some Questions to Answer First 6.2. Top Reasons Why You Can't Debug 6.3. Other Things to Consider 6.3.1. General 6.3.2. How to Invoke the Bootload Mode 6.3.3. How to Use the Hardware Tool Emergency Boot Firmware Recovery Utility 7. Frequently Asked Questions 7.1. How Does it Work? 7.2. What's Wrong? 8. Error Messages 8.1. Types of Error Messages 8.1.1. Debugger-to-Target Communications Errors 8.1.2. Corrupted/Outdated Installation Errors 8.1.3. Debug Failure Errors 8.1.4. Miscellaneous Errors 8.1.5. List of Error Messages 8.2. General Corrective Actions 8.2.1. Read/Write Error Actions 8.2.2. Debugger to Target Communication Error Actions 8.2.3. Debugger to Computer Communication Error Actions 8.2.4. Corrupted Installation Actions 8.2.5. USB Port Communication Error Actions 8.2.6. Debug Failure Actions 8.2.7. Internal Error Actions 9. Engineering Technical Notes (ETNs) 10. Debugger Function Summary 10.1. Debugger Selection and Switching 10.2. Debugger Options Selection 10.2.1. Memories to Program 10.2.2. Debug 10.2.3. Program 10.2.4. Freeze Peripherals 10.2.5. Power 10.2.6. Programmer-To-Go 10.2.7. Secure Segment 10.2.8. Firmware 10.2.9. Clock 10.2.10. Communication 11. Hardware Specification 11.1. USB Connector 11.2. MPLAB PICkit 4 In-Circuit Debugger 11.2.1. Main Board 11.2.2. Indicator Lights Strip 11.3. Communication Hardware 11.3.1. Standard Communication 11.3.2. Pinouts for Interfaces 11.4. Target Board Considerations 12. Revision History 13. Support 13.1. Warranty Registration 13.2. myMicrochip Personalized Notification Service 14. Glossary The Microchip Web Site Customer Change Notification Service Customer Support Microchip Devices Code Protection Feature Legal Notice Trademarks Quality Management System Worldwide Sales and Service