The processor modules for MPLAB ICE 2000 are interchangeable personality modules that allow MPLAB ICE 2000 to be reconfigured for emulation of different PICmicro microcontrollers (MCUs). This modularity allows the emulation of many different devices with the addition of a processor module and device adapter, which provides a very cost effective multiprocessor emulation system. The device adapters for MPLAB ICE 2000 are interchangeable assemblies that allow the emulator system to interface to a target application system. Device adapters also have control logic that allows the target application to provide a clock source and power to the processor module. The device adapters support PICmicro MCUs in DIP, SDIP and PLCC packages. Transition sockets, used along with a device adapter, provide a method of accommodating all PICmicro MCU packages, including SOIC, SSOP, PQFP and TQFP packages.