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Fleetwatch FMS · Programming Tools
PICkit 4 Program-to-Go Guide
In program-to-go mode, the Microchip MPLAB PICkit 4 programs a Fleetwatch board straight from firmware files on a microSD card. No computer is needed at the board. Just load the card, connect, and press the button.
PICkit 4 with a 5-pin programming cable attached.
What You’ll Need
| ✔ | A PICkit 4 in program-to-go mode. Its box will be labeled “Ready” (see below). |
| ✔ | The firmware files for your board, from Fleetwatch Support (usually emailed as a .zip file) |
| ✔ | A microSD card and a card reader for your PC |
| ✔ | A 5-pin or 6-pin Molex programming cable, whichever fits your board |
| ✔ | Power for the board you’re programming, from a power supply or battery |
A PICkit 4 box labeled “Ready” is set to program-to-go mode.
Part 1: Load the Firmware onto the microSD Card
| 1 | Extract the files. Save the .zip file from Fleetwatch Support to your PC and unzip it. |
| 2 | Find the right image. Locate the programming image folder for the board you’re programming, and open it. |
| 3 |
Copy both items to the SD card. Insert the microSD card into the card reader. Copy both the (name)_ptg folder and the conf.ptg file to the root (top level) of the SD card, not inside another folder.
Example of the two items:
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| 4 | Eject the card. When copying is done, eject the microSD card safely, then remove it. |
⚠ Only one product’s files per microSD card
The PICkit 4 uses the single conf.ptg file to know what to program, so keep just one product’s files on each card. Use a separate card for each product.
This is different from the PICkit 5 mobile-app method, which stores multiple images on one card and skips conf.ptg.
Part 2: Connect the PICkit 4
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Attach the programming cable to the PICkit. Choose the 5-pin or 6-pin Molex cable that fits your board, and connect it to the bottom of the PICkit 4.
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| 7 | Connect the cable to the board. Plug the 5-pin or 6-pin cable into the board’s programming connector. | ||
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Power the board. The board must have power to be programmed, from a power supply or battery.
Check the power supply voltage before connecting it to the board. The wrong voltage can damage the board.
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Programming a JX board?
Connect to the programming connector in the center (middle) of the JX board. Do not connect to the connector on the outer edge of the board.
Part 3: Program the Board
| 9 | Wait for the green light. The PICkit light cycles through a few colors, then settles into a slow flashing green. It’s now ready to program. |
| 10 | Press the shield logo. Press firmly on the shield logo in the center of the PICkit, then release. You should feel a button click. The light flashes purple while programming, then returns to green when it’s done. |
| 11 | Disconnect in this order: after the light returns to green, disconnect power first, then the programming cable. |
| 12 | Label the board. We recommend writing the firmware version on the board (for example, v1.07). |
PICkit Light Guide
Slow flashing green
Ready to program, or programming is complete
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Flashing purple
Programming in progress. Don’t disconnect anything.
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Quick red flashes
Error. See below.
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If the light quickly flashes red
A red light usually means a problem with the SD card or the files on it.
1. Disconnect power and the programming cable.
2. Remove the microSD card and check that it has both the _ptg folder and conf.ptg at the top level, for only one product.
3. Reinsert the card in the correct orientation, reconnect the cable, power up again, and repeat from step 9.
If the error persists, you may try a different board.
Need firmware files or have questions? Contact Fleetwatch Support.