PIC16F886 Low Voltage Mode

Question

I want to program a pic microcontroller, specifically, the PIC16F886. I am not experienced with programming PIC microcontrollers, however, after searching, I was able to find that you can program this with an Arduino, as ArduinoISP.

However, in order to do that, the PIC microcontroller has to support Low Voltage programming (LVP).

I saw this reference that says how to check if the microcontroller you want, can support LVP: https://microchipsupport.force.com/s/article/How-to-check-if-a-device-has-Low-Voltage-programming-LVP

It says to:

1. Check "MEMORY PROGRAMMING SPECIFICATIONS" the levels of the MCLR/VPP and VDD pins.You can verify if they are the same or different and also ​refer to the AC/DC characteristics.
2. Another thing to look in is the Programming Specification document of the device at the "Entering ICSP Mode" section.

I found the datasheet for this pic microcontroller located here: http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/devicedoc/41291d.pdf

However, after searching the document for the strings "MEMORY PROGRAMMING SPECIFICATIONS" or "Entering ICSP Mode", I found nothing.

After searching for the strings "MCLR/VPP" I had 16 results and the string "LVP" gives me 2 results. However, I was unable to understand if this device supports Low Voltage Programming mode.

Does the PIC16F886 support LVP mode?

Answer 1

See Microchip's "PIC16F88X Memory Programming Specification" [link] for how to do it.

The PIC16F88X can be programmed using the high- voltage In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) method or the low-voltage ICSP method. Both of these can be done with the device in the user’s system.

Note this is enabled in its configuration (which it is at the factory), and requires that pin RB3 is used as PGM. See configuration bit LVP in Configuration Word 1.