Since the introduction of MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger at the Embedded Systems Conference October 2008 in Boston, Microchip has shipped nearly 10,000 units of this next-generation ICD. The success and quick adoption of the MPLAB ICD 3 as a debugging platform of choice can be attributed to its advanced debugging features, faster programming speed and improved quality in comparison to the previous generation, MPLAB ICD 2. Features include:

• Higher performance: MPLAB ICD 3 is USB 2.0 compliant instead of USB 1.1 in MPLAB ICD 2. Its debugging engine is based on a dsPIC33F DSC instead a PIC16F877 MCU. Adding a couple of fast SRAMs and an FPGA to the MPLAB ICD 3 yields programming speed up to 15 times that of MPLAB ICD 2.
• Advanced debugging: MPLAB ICD 3 supports up to 1,000 software breakpoints and future enhanced debugging technology. Its speed and advanced debugging features make MPLAB ICD 3 best suited in 16-bit and 32-bit applications.
• Advanced power management: With variable Vdd and VPP down to 2V, there is no need for voltage clampers as may be required in MPLAB ICD 2. MPLAB ICD 3 also permits source-programmable power to the target (VDD).
• Simple power requirement: MPLAB ICD 3 is powered by USB, eliminating the need for an external power supply.
• Improved quality: After extensive review of the MPLAB ICD 2 field failure data, the MPLAB ICD 3 has numerous design improvements. As a result, the number of service requests on MPLAB ICD 3 is one-fifth that of MPLAB ICD 2 units.
• Ease-of-use: MPLAB ICD 3 features plug-and-play connection to the target, similar to the MPLAB REAL ICE™ in-circuit emulator.
• Production application: Programmable programming voltage (VPP) and rigorous I/O protection qualify MPLAB ICD 3 as a production programmer. MPLAB ICD 3 can also be used with the stand-alone ICD 3 CMD programming command.

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