Called PDID (Programming and Debug Interface Disabled), & #8220;when enabled, this advanced code protection feature is designed to block access to the programming and debugging interface and block unauthorized attempts to read, modify, or erase firmware," according to the company.
It is implemented in the PIC18-Q24 family of microcontrollers and works with the ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) interface.
If the PDID configuration bit is enabled, "the device is permanently blocked from ICSP access and further mass delete operations are not possible," the company explained. “However, memory areas can be accessed using the internal NVM [non-volatile memory] interface. This feature is intended for one-time programming of the device via the ICSP interface for security applications.”
Source: electronicsweekly.com
