This is actually the second ICD II Clone I built. The first one I built was the one that uses discrete transistors to generate programming voltage on the target MCLR pin. It was given away to someone as a Valentine's Day gift. ( Seriously, I am not kidding as she is also a PICMicro enthusiast. =0 )
The version using an Op-amp to generate programming voltage is much easier to build than the older one that uses discrete NPN and PNP transistors all over the circuit. The first one I built took almost 2 days for me to complete as the circuit didn't quite work at first. After staring at it for almost 2 days, I finally figured the fault was with one of those ***damn broken jumpers. The wire looked fine from the outside but it is actually broken internally, therefore because of this, MPLAB couldn't properly connect to the ICD II. Furthermore, working with so many transistors can be very troublesome as it only takes 1 faulty transistor to give a hell of problems. ><
On the other hand, the Op-amp version has lesser components and thus it simplifies the entire ICD II clone further. (Nice work on this, Lothar!) Presented here is the the ICD II Clone of the Op-amp version. I built it in about 2 hours including some thorough checkings and it worked the first time when I plugged it into the PC's COM port. =)
Check out his designs at his website : http://stolz.de.be
Here are some pictures of the ICD II Clone I built.
