Serial Numbers

[hellopic]

How can I generate a unique serial number for each micro that I program? I looked at #serialize but that seems to require special hardware. I only have access to ICD3.

Setting it in code or sending it over UART after programming are error prone processes, I feel.

I am using dsPIC33 and the serial number needs to be a 16 or 24bit unique number. Are there any software based solutions that can interface with ICD3 to do the programming will modding the .hex file or something similar? Thanks.

[asmboy]

for many years i have used this serialization method.

1- write your serial number to eeprom
2- tag with a CRC or checksum

in your GET id routine - simply make sure the CRC/checksum is valid for the number or string - you wrote to EEPROM -
then flag error if the CRC/check fails on readback
job done
EZ && never had it fail

not the least bit error prone IMHO - as i have never had a client bitch
about its performance

i should add - serialization is always done AFTER test and calibration is done on a system, and before it is shipped. hence no effrot to add a ser# during pic programming

[hellopic]

Could you please let me know, which programmer you use for #serialize to work?

[asmboy]

The serializing method i use is performed individually, using active pic code,
in the program, after test and calibration. It is not an automatic part of the
pic program memory programming.
The pathway is rs-232 or the usb channel.

It is CODE based not an automated thing.