Working With Hardware Tools

The new MPLAB® Xpress supported hardware tools currently are:

Preparing the Project and Tool

To prepare to program your code using a hardware tool:

  1. Ensure your project builds without errors.
  2. If using MPLAB Snap or MPLAB PICkit 4, ensure the debugger is connected to a target.
  3. Connect your hardware to the PC using a USB port.

Starting the USB Bridge Tool

MPLAB Xpress needs a program called USB Bridge to connect to your local USB port. This allows MPLAB Xpress to send a compiled HEX file to a supported hardware tool.

If this is the first time you have used a hardware tool with your project:

  1. Click on the Project Properties DashboardIcon_ProjProp.png icon on the Dashboard.
  2. Click on your hardware tool under Debug Tool. Text and a link will appear below.
  3. Click on the here link.
project-properties-hwtool.png
Figure 1

You will now see the Manage USB Bridge window. Follow the instructions on the dialog to install the USB Bridge.

manage-usb-bridge-application-dialog-2.png
Figure 2

The running USB Bridge Tool application will appear as in Figure 3.

USBBridgeApp_Running.png
Figure 3

Connecting to the USB Bridge Tool

For tips on connecting and debugging, click on the Hardware Debug Tips HardwareDebugTips_Icon.png icon on the toolbar.

To connect to the USB Bridge Tool, click on the Connect to USB Bridge ConnectToUSBBridge_Icon.png icon.

You can see that the tool is connected in the USB Bridge Tool application.

USBBridgeApp_Connected.png
Figure 4

Open the Project Properties dialog again to see that the specific debug tool is available.

project-properties-hwtool-connected-2.png
Figure 5

Programming and Running Your Application

Select the MPLAB Xpress Make and Program Device ProgramDevice_Icon.png icon.

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