Device Packs in Projects

MPLAB® X IDE requires specific information about supported devices in order to simulate or emulate these devices. This information is found in the device (.PIC) files; it includes data on device power requirements, programming methods, architecture, etc.

As of MPLAB X IDE v5.00, the device files are grouped into versioned device family packs. Currently, each MPLAB X IDE version comes with device packs. In future releases, you will be able to upgrade the device pack version to include new devices, new device feature support, or device bug fix support.

Pack Locations

Packs are installed in a system directory and may be in a user directory.

For example, to find the system Device Family Pack (DFP) containing the PIC16F19197 device file on a Windows® OS computer:

Installation Location Version Folder Containing Packs Device Family Pack Pack version Folder containing Device Files Device File
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microchip\MPLABX \v5.00 \packs \Microchip\PIC16F1xxxx_DFP \1.0.38 \edc \PIC16F19197.PIC

An example of a user pack would be:
C:\User\Microchip\UserName\.mchp-packs\Microchip\PIC16F1xxxx_DFP\1.0.38\edc\PIC16F19197.PIC

Go to Microchip Packs Repository to find versioned packs that may be downloaded.

Install Packs during MPLAB X IDE Install

When installing MPLAB X IDE (as of MPLAB X IDE v5.20), you may now "Choose Microchip device support you want installed". This will install the packs related to the device architecture(s) chosen. Installing only what you need saves disk space and increases the speed of installation.

Figure 1: MPLAB X IDE Install - Select Applications dialog

MPLABXIDE_Install_SelectApplications.png

Information on installing MPLAB X IDE may be found in the MPLAB X IDE Readme.

Install Packs after MPLAB X IDE Install

Select Tools>Packs to open a list of versioned packs that you can install via the MPLAB Pack Manager.

Figure 2: MPLAB Pack Manager List

MPLABPackManager.png

Switch Installed Packs

For future MPLAB X IDE releases, right click on an open project name in the Projects window and select Properties to open the Project Properties window. View the Packs list to see available packs for the project device.

Figure 3: Project Properties - Packs

PP_PacksList.png

To be able to switch between packs displayed in Project Properties, check the option "Allow switch between pack versions" under Tools>Options>Embedded>Generic Settings. This will un-gray packs in the list so they may be selected.

Figure 4: Allow Pack Switch

AllowPackSwitching.png

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