hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
A cheap and cheerful way to interface a potentiometer to an FPGA - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: hamster_nz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2014, 01:47:30 am
content: Although it is possible to implement one-bit DAC using a couple of FPGA pins, I've never got a useful result and the high-frequency toggling of the pins is not very subtle. So here's a cheap and cheerful way to interface a potentiometer to an FPGA.http://hamsterworks.co.nz/mediawiki/index.php/Cheap_Analogue_InputIt is based on the technique I first came across when looking at the Apple ][ joystick interface, many, many moons ago. Is much better for playing Pong than two buttons, and uses half the pins.Calibration of the result is not covered on the wiki page, but is pretty easy. Here it is half way between HDL and software.Code:if(min_value == 0xFFFF and max_value == 0) {// Detect the inital values for these variablesmin_value = this_value;max_value = this_value;}if(min_value > this_value)min_value = this_value;if(max_value < this_value)max_value = this_value;calibrated = 0;q = min_value*256;for(i = 0; i < 256) {if(q < this_value*256)calibrated = i;q = q + (max_value - min_value);i++;}return calibrated;

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2014, 12:03:51 am
content: Cool. Code is super readable.QuoteFor a joystick it seems like this is typical though, as the stick might not be perfectly centered, etc. Although, perhaps they would just use massive dead zones in the middle and ends to work around this.
Dofly programmer infos, software. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2014, 08:24:14 am
content: A friend of mine asked me I a had any info on a Dofly v2.0 programmer. With a quick search I couldn't find any info, manual or software.Could anyone provide any infos?Alexander.
" Cannot set sck period " warning when programming with UsbAsp. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2014, 01:28:18 pm
content: Hello.I've finally got my UsbAsp to work, i wrote a simple blink program and it started blinking, but when i changed the delay nothing changed, it kept blinking just like it did before.Then i started looking for any problems and found this:avrdude.exe: set SCK frequency to 32000 Hzavrdude.exe: warning: cannot set sck period. please check for usbasp firmware update.I've checked on the web on how to fix this but couldn't find a single "real" way of doing it, some people say you have to reflash the programmer, some say you have to install new firmware/drivers and some say that just moving the wires around fixed it, some say you should ingore it.Maybe you guys could tell me what's wrong.Thanks in advance.Edit: i tried changing some stuff and it seems to work, but the frequency seems unstable, and the MCU glitches out sometimes.

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2014, 01:48:11 pm
content: Do you have the right settings for your board? I believe similar error messages are given by the Arduino IDE if you try to flash a board with a different version to what you have chosen.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2014, 05:56:51 pm
content: Quote from: Whales on September 06, 2014, 01:48:11 pmI don't use a particular board just plain MCU, i've made a little board with a dip socket for quick programming. I did check all the connections and they're all good, so it must be something in the software, i've seen someone mention that UsbAsp uses some auto frequency nonsence and that the error should be ignored, but it just doesn't feel right to leave the error in there.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2014, 09:08:35 pm
content: QuoteI am sure the issue isn't with your code.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2014, 10:55:12 pm
content: Quote from: dannyf on September 06, 2014, 09:08:35 pmI turns out it doesn't program at 3,3V but when i switch to 5V only then does program but the blinking becomes pretty much random, then after i switch it back to 3,3V it starts blinking normally.
DE0 nano - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2014, 07:27:48 am
content: The DE0 nano has no onboard CPU interfaced to the FPGA.Instead of this they have used a Flash ROM this seems a bit limiting as to what can be done with it don't you think?

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2014, 07:45:50 am
content: Not really, it's an FPGA so you can implement your own soft core if you need a micro.

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2014, 08:56:38 am
content: Yes, however implenting a softcore process limits the amount of logic blocks you can use. The flexibility of CPU combined with FPGA is beyond compromise.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2014, 09:07:52 am
content: Then get the DE1-SoC Boardhttp://www.terasic.com.tw/cgi-bin/page/archive.pl?Language=English&CategoryNo=165&No=836or hook it up to another board that has an MCU

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2014, 09:29:44 am
content: Quote from: R_G_B_ on August 27, 2014, 08:56:38 amIf you need that flexibility then you clearly need to look for a larger, (probably a lot more expensive) eval board. This is like complaining that an Arduino doesn't have sufficient resources to run Linux.

author: legacy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2014, 10:27:03 am
content: Quote from: R_G_B_ on August 27, 2014, 07:27:48 amto do what ? what is your purpose ?

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2014, 12:52:58 pm
content: I was gonna have a go at implementing an oscilloscope.
A good book on PIC32 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2014, 08:53:01 pm
content: Just happened to find this good:http://hades.mech.northwestern.edu/images/4/4f/Book-current.pdfA good hands-on book on PIC32 (and the same principles apply to others as well).Enjoy.PS: it is up there with Brown's book on ST ARM chips.

author: 22swg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2014, 09:25:28 pm
content: Thanks , a quick scan looks >useful...
Lattice Diamond on non RHEL (or derived) Linux platforms - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bpye
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2014, 05:15:18 pm
content: I'm trying to get Lattice Diamond 3.2 running on my Arch linux system. I have got it to run after using rpmextract, but I don't appear to have any devices. The program starts and gets the the welcome screen letting me attempt to open or create a new project however whichever I do either the device from a project I open is missing or I have no devices to select when creating a new project. Any ideas?
usb asp download failed - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: boibolang
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 30, 2014, 01:07:01 am
content: hy fellas,recently i learnt microcontollers, avr type. i just bought avr kit and usb asp downloader. after saveral times downloading program to the microchip (atmega16), i had this error in pop up window : (i used avrdude downloader)avrdude.exe : error : program enable : target doesn't answer. 1avrdude.exe : initialization failed, rc=-1double check connection and try again, or use -F to overrride this checki replaced the microchip but the error keeps coming again and again. somesaid the microchip had been locked accidentally, i didn't know how. other said it was already brokendoes anyone of you guys ever had this kind of problem ? and how to solve it ?thank you for your responses

author: mzdenkov
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2014, 07:56:45 pm
content: Greetings!I had similar porblem. If you're using cheap chinese usb asp, you're probably having an USB ASP Firmware problem..This error means that programer cant communciate with the uC, Or the clock speed is to high( i had this problem withATMEGA 32 before burning new fuse bits to the uC ). Try to update the Firmwere on the usbasp with the newest one andI think that will solve the problem, unless you have the wrong fuse bits configuration on uC.I hope this will help.Best Regards. Matija

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2014, 09:30:41 pm
content: Make sure that the wiring is right, the you haven't disabled the rest pin.obviously don't load the pins too much.it is unlikely a firmware issue.
Multiplexing ICSP to multiple processors...  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: richcj10
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 18, 2014, 11:01:21 pm
content: Hi,I am working on a car project and have pic microcontrollers in a few places on the car. On request of the software team, I need to develop a way to multiplex the ICSP to 7-9 processors on the car. Any ideas?

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2014, 11:34:34 pm
content: How far are the PICs away from each other?

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2014, 01:45:06 am
content: Can you not arrange a bootloader or software update function?Routing ICSP signals across a car is a blatant invitation to awful problems.Tim

author: richcj10
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 19, 2014, 02:36:13 am
content: Some are within inches of each other, some more than 4-5 feet... It depends on the device.Using a bootloader was my first idea, but making it capable of sending over RS485 the way it is laid out in our system is a lot of work. It would require some smart resetting (soft resetting) and state management... It was thinking of adding a "hardware cap" to the programing distribution to keep it in a locked out (the actual pins held in a high / low state) state when the car is in normal running mode. You wouldn't program the device while the car was being driven around anyway...

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2014, 05:30:45 pm
content: CAN bus bootloaderOr some addressable bus.

author: RABeng224
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2014, 04:27:55 pm
content: Microchip offers a pretty good bootloader, AN1310 I think its called. I have modified it to run on RS485 and have deployed it on several projects. We have never had issues with it. It is written totally in ASM but it is fairly clean so it is easy to follow. Our micros (PIC18F) have built in EEPROM so we used it to store flags so that a particular micro can be reset into boot mode. From there, you can use the serial protocol and just add some addressing capabilities.Good Luck!

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2014, 11:36:35 pm
content: I suspect you could get away with 'sending' ICSP code pretty safely with appropriate buffering and worst case reset/write timing, however the verify pass would require a bit more thinking to be sure each processor is at the party..Perhaps if this is really necessary without a bootloader, your code could execute a code verification before 'running' - and 'not' blink a LED or whatever to let you know a specific processor is not actively participating.Why multiple processors running the same code in close proximity in a dirty, high-rel environment?Other than a very specific application, I can see many ways this might go wrong.Let us know what you come up with!
PIC18 mikroC Soft_UART_Read Issue - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Pack34
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2014, 04:28:55 pm
content: Does anyone here have experience with mikroC for the PIC18 family? I'm trying to do something basic and the firmware seems to be locking up and I do not know why.Soft_UART Libraryhttp://www.mikroe.com/download/eng/documents/compilers/mikroc/pro/pic/help/software_uart_library.htmWhenever I'm trying to do a read command, the board locks up.Code:void checkSensors() {// Our Read-in start flagunsigned char startByte1 = 0; // ASCII S (0x53)unsigned char sensorChecksum = 0;char error;// Temps to hold the Sensor feedback// Re-initialize our software UART for the HAZMAT sensor// Port - B, Rx - B2, Tx - B3, Baud 38400, not invertedSoft_Uart_Init(&PORTB, 2, 3, 38400, 0);// Now that we have configured the UART, we need to transmit the read requestSoft_Uart_Write("S");startByte = Soft_Uart_Read(&error);txPacket.sensor1 = Soft_Uart_Read(&error); // MQ9 SensortxPacket.sensor2 = Soft_Uart_Read(&error); // MQ2txPacket.sensor3 = Soft_Uart_Read(&error); // MQ4txPacket.sensor4 = Soft_Uart_Read(&error); // MQ6sensorChecksum = Soft_Uart_Read(&error); // Sum of the previous four bytes}

author: Pack34
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2014, 07:35:19 pm
content: I'm not entirely sure what the issue was, but it ended up working itself out. I dropped the baud rate down, simplified the packet a bit and I'm now using a hex value as the flag instead of an ascii. I'm only checking the values every couple seconds so the lower baud isn't going to kill me.
Connect GDB server to already running ARM micro program on-the-fly - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: hub.martin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2014, 01:13:39 pm
content: When I was using Rowley CrossStudio, there was "Attach" button which connected debugger to already running program on the micro. Of course I know that Debug info in the project and binary on micro has to be in the sync.Now I use Eclipse, GCC and St-link GDB server (but question apply to other GDB servers like CoIDE GDB and OpenOCD).Is there same/similar functionality of attaching GDB/Debugger to already running code on micro with these tools? If I knew the exact term of this I would google it.Thanks
Cortex M0 Design Start - using Flash memory instead of PSRAM - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: skorpyon1992
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 10:45:32 am
content: Hello everyone ,I have a few problems using ARM Cortex M0 Design Start and some peripherals from CM0DS-DesignKit. I have made a climate control system using Nexys 3 FPGA board with the core and peripherals mentioned earlier.I have a .bin file ( the C & assembly code) which I have to write it to the nexys 3 RAM memory using Adept, and a .bit file ( the ISE project ) which will be programmed on the board. If I have a power lack, the memory RAM ( obviously ) it will be empty at the next start , and I would have to reprogram it again.The ARM microcontroller architecture has a Memory Controller which can control the RAM memory and FLASH memory ( BPI Flash ) . The addresses for them are mapped as in SoC example 4 from CM0DS EDK (http://www.arm.com/support/university/ip/index.php).I would like to have a single file from these two, or load the .bin file to RAM from flash. Can this be possible and how?

author: 6thimage
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2014, 12:09:23 pm
content: From my understanding, you have a design which has the program run from RAM instead of flash and you want to be able to power cycle the board without it being connected to a computer.Unfortunately, you won't be able to combine the bit file and the contents of the RAM into a single file. However you could write a simple loader module that runs prior to the Cortex M0, which copies the contents of the flash to the RAM.But I think you might have overlooked a simpler solution. The AHB2SRAMFLSH module allows you to select whether the RAM or flash is mapped to zero. If you were to change your design to make the flash start at zero then you will not need to copy the program onto the board with every power cycle. This change, however, is not just as simple as changing this module's input, as you will need to adjust the position of the RAM in your program's code.

author: skorpyon1992
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 06, 2014, 12:07:02 pm
content: Thank you 6thimage for the advice. I have solved the problem.The following steps were followed :1. In the Keil ARM prject go to Target Options ( Target tab ), check ROM1 , set address to 0x0 and size 0x800000 and choose it as startup;2. In the Linker tab add the following addresses 0x00000000 (at R/O base ) and 0x00800000 ( at R/W base );3. Rebuild the project;4. Write the file to the memory ( Memory tab - > choose BPI -> at Write File to Memory browse and choose the binary file -> choose start address to be 0 in Hex and Write ) ;5. Choose the SPI and "Write programming file to Flash" ( browse for -the .bit file from the Xilinx Project and Write it ) and reset the board ( or you can simply go back to the config tab and browse for the .bit file and program it);I hope this will be helpfull for other people too!
Reducing Phase Noise - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: aep9690
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 04:17:19 am
content: I am working on a project with a very low current requirement. Right now its mostly working but I have a problem where my 32MHz oscillator has too much phase noise which causes measurement error with my microcontrollers 16 bit timer. I need to clean up the clock before it goes into the micro.From what I understand I can do one of two things.1. Use a PLL to clean the clock signal.2. Use a clock cleaner to reduce the phase noise.Here is the kicker. No matter what the solution is the most current the supply can use is 1.5mA. I can't go into detail why this is the upper limit because this is for work but this is the absolute maximum. I would appreciate any help.

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 05:20:36 am
content: Do you know what phase noise you have and how much you can tolerate? How about whether your are limited by close-in phase noise (essentially drift) or offset phase noise (like jitter). Is it possible you can just replace the oscillator rather than try to clean it up, or is the clock coming from outside the system? Also, how accurate does the absolute frequency need to be?PLLs only work as well as the clocks you put into it. So if you can't come up with a sufficiently low noise oscillator in your power budget a PLL won't help you.

author: aep9690
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 05:36:36 am
content: I can choose the clock that goes in the circuit, and I'm not sure how much jitter is in the circuit. I plan on making a measurement tomorrow.I suspected that if I used a PLL it wouldn't help because the clock is bad. Knowing this I think I need to replace the oscillator. I am using a standard 32MHz crystal oscillator now that is being divided to 256MHz. The clocks jitter is causing my timers measurements to vary by +/- 100 counts or 390ns. What kind of specification should I be looking for in a new clock to minimize jitter?

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 06:41:32 am
content: It might be the oscillator, but it might also be other things, like crosstalk from other high speed signals in to the clock trace, it could be a noisy power supply for the oscillator or the PLL, or it could even be wonky PLL settings. Fancy complex PLLs can be unstable in certain configurations.Jitter can be easily visible on a digital scope by triggering on the clock and then turning the horizontal offset way out so you are looking about 1ms after your tigger point. For a proper crystal oscillator the waveform should not look fuzzy or wander left or right any. This method is sensitive enough to see the waveform drift when you heat up the crystal and see its tiny temp co.
STN1110 / PIC24HJ128GP502 OBDII chip - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2014, 03:56:27 pm
content: I already have an OBDII to Bluetooth dongle I picked up from Aliexpress a few years ago and it has worked well, but apparently most of these used pirated firmware that was extracted from an ELM327 (PIC18 based) that didn't have the locks enabled.So now there's a company called OBD Solutions that makes a competing product that is PIC24 based called the STN1110. Which is faster, has more flash, more ram, and is cheaper than the ELM327 chip so I thought I wonder if I could somehow hack this chip into the dongle and use it instead?Fortunately OBDSolutions has a free sample program so I picked up a few. According to the datasheet (linked below) the desired configuration uses an MCP2551 CAN transceiver and well looks like MCP was offering that on sample as well, so I picked up a few. (One of the nice things of being in college right now is the .EDU address helps with sample procurement)So first things first, I am relatively new to PICs having started on Arduino and then started playing around with bare AVRs. So I did make a few incorrect assumptions about what I could do with the chip.The existing PIC18 chip is a 5V device all the way through, running at 4MHz and the PIC24 is 3.3V with some 5v tolerant parts. The firmware as loaded by OBD Solutions is set for 16MHz operation so that's a problem as well.At this point, I'm thinking my best bet is to breadboard up something and just somehow jumper over to the RX and TX lines on the BT module.I have several 16MHz 3 pin ceramic resonators that I've used with no problems on some AVRs, do you think that's sufficient for a PIC24? The datasheet only mentions a 16MHz crystal with some 30pF caps. Ordinarily I would think the resonator would be fine but in the datasheet they show the crystal and caps tucked under a guard ring, but then specify no more than 12mm spacing between the crystal and PIC.I also like this line:QuoteWell, guess I'm screwed there.And finally, what does VCAP do? It says needs to be 4.7uF, recommended 10uF, low ESR. It mentions some kind of logic filter but I'm not really sure that they mean by that. I've attached their recommended schematic for the PIC24 and the MCP2551.http://www.scantool.net/scantool/downloads/97/stn1110-ds.pdf

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2014, 09:28:39 pm
content: QuoteIts a lower voltage rail, perhaps for the CPU core. Usually this is done to reduce power consumption. But in this sort of product maybe there is another reason.
PIC18LF1220 disappearing - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2014, 01:05:27 pm
content: Perhaps it's just too hot in the lab and my brain has melted, but...I can't seem to find any reference to the PIC18LF1220 on Microchip's w/s, and the datasheet on the Farnell w/s seems to be for the 18F1220. Also, MPLAB (8.92) doesn't have it...http://uk.farnell.com/microchip/pic18lf1220-i-so/mcu-8bit-pic18-40mhz-soic-18/dp/1439750?Ntt=18LF1220Slightly worrying as I've just designed it into a product (it's doing a BR2032 powered RTC & anti-tamper), the main proc. is a dsPIC.

author: ElektroQuark
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 17, 2014, 01:33:08 pm
content: They are the same but for the working voltage range.Same datasheet. It is in the Farnell page you linked.See page 238.You have to select PIC18L1220 within MPLAB.

author: JTR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2014, 03:46:09 pm
content: Quote from: EdoNork on July 17, 2014, 01:33:08 pmActually you have to select PIC18F1220.Edit: all else seems correct. There is no need for worry, plenty of sources for the LF variant.

author: ElektroQuark
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 17, 2014, 07:55:51 pm
content: ups!F, F, F, ...

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2014, 03:07:15 pm
content: Thanks all.
Do you make a pcb with stm32f4xx series chips - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: sfiber
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 10:22:16 am
content: or ti's,nxp's arm chips.I printed my own design circuit to pcb when I use pic series microcontrollers.But I write code to stm32f4 for a months and I didnt make pcb since that time.can you help me about this subject.should I print my design with stm32f4.Because that was too easy and cheap to print and I used most of the pins of chips.For example;I designed circuit mixed of analog and power electronics and it works well on breadboards but now,I need an adc to displaying.What do you offer me?

author: JVR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 12:22:25 pm
content: I'd offer you some English lessons.

author: pyrohaz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 12:30:59 pm
content: Quote from: sfiber on July 15, 2014, 10:22:16 amA really good starting point is looking at the schematic of the STM32F4 discovery board. If you pretty much copy that, route is to what suits you, as long as your routing is majorly bad, you should at least have a working board which you can use for the tasks you list such as ADC.
Real time data monitor/control for PIC16 micros - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mazurov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 08:02:34 pm
content: All,I just finished first working alpha of RTDM protocol implementation for PIC16 MCUs - very useful when debugging/tuning real time code and previously only available for dsPIC and friends. All relevant info here ->https://www.circuitsathome.com/mcu/using-data-monitor-and-control-interface-with-pic16-mcu-2Enjoy!/felis

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 08:30:36 pm
content: Some suggestions:1) this isn't new. There are a number of such implementations floating around.2) low-end PICs are not the best place to implement this, due to their lack of a vectored interrupt controller. I would think about AVR for this.3) You may think about the use of a frame and a mechanism to reset a frame transmission. This allows you to sustain transmission over a long period of time.4) within each frame, you may think about transmission of several data items (4-8 for example). A frame can be either of fixed length for simplicity or variable length for efficiency.5) on the host end, offer both a graphic interface AND a text interface.6) I would split the crc routines out in case a user wants to hook in a his/her own encryption / error correction routines.The space on a PIC16 will be the limiting factor for something like this.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 08:32:02 pm
content: BTW, if you implement the host on a device with a screen (a smartphone), you essentially have a (low speed) scope.

author: mazurov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 09:15:19 pm
content: Quote from: dannyf on July 14, 2014, 08:30:36 pmYou have links? I wrote mine mainly because I was unable to find an implementationQuoteAVR (Atmega) is too slow for this. Besides, the protocol is implemented specifically for the tool available only in MC-specific IDE so any AVR vs. PIC discussion is not going to last very long. There is an implementation for dsPICs which even allows DMA transfers at runtime.{quote]5) on the host end, offer both a graphic interface AND a text interface.The host end is developed by different people, I'm just using it. The protocol (also developed by different ppl) is very lightweight, you only transfer a memory address, number of bytes and direction to the target and you get raw data back.QuoteI noticed that.

author: mazurov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 09:17:22 pm
content: Quote from: dannyf on July 14, 2014, 08:32:02 pmOnce again, I'm not doing the host piece but merely extending the functionality of the existing one.
Veritak, any experiences? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jeremy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 07:42:44 pm
content: Does anyone have experience with veritak:http://www.sugawara-systems.com/It looks quite good for $50 but I can't work out if it is still being maintained.

author: andersm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 09:03:22 pm
content: Looking at the version history, the software was frequently updated up to the latest release, which is now about three years old. According to the support page, it is also the work of a single person. Try mailing them and ask.

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 09:12:48 pm
content: A trial license of modelsim also looks quite good for $0. And it's even in active development.
Microchip vs. MicroCHIPS vs. microchips: it is all about names! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 05:15:57 pm
content: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279323.phpIt would have been nicer if the microchips used by MicroCHIPS were made by Microchip.

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 05:40:57 pm
content: I see that MicroCHIPS has the backing of Bill Gates.Look forward to the message:'Birth Control is unavailable - Installing Updates...'Regards,Jay_Diddy_B

author: Precipice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 09:12:42 am
content: Weren't they originally Arizona Microchip?If so, you can sort of see how it evolved...

author: qno
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 04:19:02 pm
content: I think they better can make a Birth Chip.The couples who can can not get a pregnancy is growing faster.
Noise on MCU - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: toinhatminh
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 04, 2014, 11:52:32 am
content: Hi Pro,I'm using PIC16F887. My program is turn on the LED on PortE.here is the code :#include <stdio.h>#include <stdlib.h>#include<htc.h>int main(int argc, char** argv) {while(1){TRISE=0;PORTE=0xFF;}return (EXIT_SUCCESS);}I use a Meter to measure the Voltage on the pins. The voltage is 0V, but when I touch on the PCB, the MCU assert the logic 1, and the Led on.Please help me explain this phenomenon and how to solve this issue,Thank you very much,Minh

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2014, 01:42:26 pm
content: Generally, it involves setting the pins as output and turning off all other functions on those pins.Read the datasheet.

author: Precipice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2014, 03:24:49 pm
content: Quote from: toinhatminh on July 04, 2014, 11:52:32 amDo you touch a clock or crystal pin? This sounds like the code only runs when you touch the PCB - so I would suspect something to do with the oscillator or reset circuit, not the software.Did you configure the oscillator, and fit the needed components?

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2014, 08:19:25 pm
content: Do you have a pull-up resistor on the MCLR line as recommended in the datasheet?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 06:13:34 pm
content: Quote from: toinhatminh on July 04, 2014, 11:52:32 amMaybe you could try only setting the TRIS once and then going into your loop like..TRISE=0;while(1){PORTE=0xFF;}
Does grounding the reset pin of the AVRISP2 damage it ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 02:09:32 pm
content: Possibly a stupid question but my AVRISP2 programmer no loger has so much as a light on it and won't show as connected to the computer. Last stupid thing I did to it was to ground the reset pin of the MCU with the AVRISP2 connected.

author: nuhamind2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 02:35:11 pm
content: It could be since the programmer need to pull the reset line high after each transfer.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 02:37:39 pm
content: That is what I thought although if the programmer uses an open collector type output then it should not do any harm, but all signs say that it's now a dud. I have a new one on order

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 04:44:08 pm
content: well turning off power to a cannected avrisp resets the circuit so maybe it pulls high
STM32 start DMA transfer in hardware - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 01:08:41 am
content: Hey, ive been reading the STM32F0 datasheet for a while and im trying to work out if its possible tostarta DMA transfer in hardware.I want to setup a DMA transfer and have it automatically start when i get a timer output compare match without having to start it in software using the output compare interrupt.(the data i want to move using DMA is not from/to the timer, i just want it to start the transfer)Does anyone know if that is possible?

author: andyturk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 01:53:39 am
content: Looks like it...
EZ 430 chronos watch - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: CrabxCore
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 07:25:30 am
content: Hey everyone,I just received my chronos 430 watch today. I don't have any experience with the TI uc's so haven't done any programming yet. I have managed to come up with a few anti GF shoulder surfing uses though!I have it setup to windows key+D when # is pressed. Also, * and ^ shift my windows between monitors.The mouse control is interesting, a little backwards it feels like.Overall, I am very happy with my $25 purchase. Even if I never reprogram it, it's still a watch!-Crab

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2014, 12:14:27 pm
content: Moving info here from the B/S/W thread.The CCS (Code Composer Studio) has a 16KB code size limit on their free edition, the other free IDE (IAR kickstart) has an smaller code size limit of 4KB.IAR supposedly generates better code. There are also other compiler options: Rowley Crossworks, MSPGCC and MSPGCC4.Here is TI's wiki with tons of information and links to projects and even more information:http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/EZ430-ChronosThe heart monitor band is 50 Euros (but watch comes with a 20% off coupon so 40 Euros).I did find a paper from TI (EKG-Based Heart-Rate Monitor Implementation on the LaunchPad Using MSP430G2xx) that might help build your own.http://www.ti.com/lit/an/slaa486a/slaa486a.pdf

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2014, 09:34:38 pm
content: Got mine today.. damn Win8.1 and unsigned drivers..Btw, after turning on the clock, I read the usermanual about batterylife etc.. is it possible to turn off the watch? or make it sleep more?

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2014, 10:17:44 pm
content: According to the getting started guide only a power up reset will put it in that mode.That might require opening it and removing and restoring the battery.

author: Dongulus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2014, 12:14:37 am
content: I received mine in the mail on Friday. I've only just worn it out once. I haven't installed the software yet nor disassembled the watch.I do have plans though; I wanted to use it as a bike computer that will log my speed, altitude, and time. Unfortunately, the storage on the CC1111F32 is a bit too small for how much data I would want to tabulate during a ride. I've decided to make a separate module which contains a memory device that my watch can offload data to then pull back out later.TI looks to have a lot of documentation for CC1111F32 . Here's an app-note about building the same antenna design used in the USB device that comes in the box  and app-notes for other various antenna designs . I'm awaiting a free sample for one that TI has been so kind to ship to me after I requested it.
Gal-s - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Dajgoro
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 07:29:43 pm
content: Hi.I have a few gals in my box, and since they can come handy for some small projects I would like to have a way to load those arrays with some logic.Back at uni I had to use Palasm, but that works only in MS-DOS, and I need a dos box for that.Is there any sw that is not completely archaic that works on win7?

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 08:11:57 pm
content: I think Atmel still has WinCUPL available somewhere.http://www.atmel.com/tools/WINCUPL.aspx

author: Precipice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 08:22:21 pm
content: Does your PAL programmer work on a modern machine?I just compile my PALs and other ancient stuff on the same win95 laptop that I keep around to run the ancient programmers...(I know this isn't an answer to your question, but laptops this ancient are often free...)

author: Dajgoro
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 09:06:12 pm
content: Quote from: janoc on July 01, 2014, 08:11:57 pmI downloaded it and it seems to work.I do have a programmer capable of writing to gals, now I only need to figure out how to get the compiled code to the chip.Edit: Found it, the jedec compiled jed file is in the same folder as the pld file.
interfacing external oscillator to STM32F407igt6 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: manjunath
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2014, 10:46:49 am
content: Hi all,I have to interface external oscillator to stm32f407igt6 which is having 16Mhz internal frequency and i need to boost it to 168Mhz frequency by connecting a 25Mhz external oscillator so can anyone give capacitor and resistor values that i need to interface external oscillator to my STM32F407igt6.Thank you,

author: Dago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2014, 11:03:54 am
content: Quote from: manjunath on July 25, 2014, 10:46:49 amWhy don't you just use the internal oscillator to clock the internal PLL and use that to multiply the core clock to 168 MHz? Or do you need better frequency stability?Reference manual page 153:http://www.st.com/st-web-ui/static/active/en/resource/technical/document/reference_manual/DM00031020.pdf

author: manjunath
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2014, 11:25:21 am
content: ya i need good frequency stability , can u please tell me how can i interface 25Mhz to my stm32f407igt6.Thank you,

author: andyturk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2014, 02:53:12 pm
content: http://www.st.com/st-web-ui/static/active/en/resource/technical/document/application_note/CD00221665.pdf
6 channel rc controller algorithm - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: sfiber
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2014, 09:07:28 am
content: hi my friends,I couldnt developed algorithm about pwm peak values.as you know when you move joystick of 6 channel rc controller it controls servos but when you pull your hands from joystick it doesnt move to middle position like joystick.If you want to make your servo to middle position you have to pull joystick opposite side.can anyone help me about algorithm.I use stm32f4.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2014, 09:13:01 am
content: A RC controller has a spring which returns to center.It sounds like your issue is to do with relative vs absolute position.Relative position means the new servo position is calculated from it's current position.Absolute position means the position is a mirror. 70% joystick = 70% servo position.

author: sfiber
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2014, 09:20:58 am
content: Quote from: Psi on June 26, 2014, 09:13:01 ambut servos dont move like joystick,they stays them peak values.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2014, 10:13:51 am
content: im not sure what you mean by peak values?

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2014, 11:24:22 am
content: QuoteThat's one hell of a sentence to understand,I think what you want to achieve - there is a high likelihood that I am wrong on this - is what people call incremental PID.A simpler way to achieve that is to calculate the pwm on the delta of two variables: joystick's current position, and joystick's decayed position.Something like this may work:Code:js_cur = joystick_read(); //read joystick's current positionjs_dcy+= (js_cur - js_dcy) * alpha; //revise js_decay to approach js_cur, alpha determines the speed of decayjs_pwm = f(js_cur - js_dcy); //generate pwm based on the difference between js_cur and js_dcyRight after you have moved the joystick, js_pwm takes the highest value. After that, js_dcy starts to approaching js_cur and the pwm value starts to decline until the js_cur/js_dcy are sufficiently close.Essentially it is an auto-centering algorithm.You will need to figure out how to handle the negative values when generating pwm.
STM32 L0 devboard - with E-Paper display :-) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TinkeringSteve
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2014, 07:31:27 pm
content: There'll be a new STM32 L0 (their ultra low power ARM cortex M0 series) "discovery" board,with an E-paper display on it.I'm not aware of any nice little inexpensive devboard with something like that. Seems not to be in stores yet or not listed by google anyway(*1), but... I am quite tempted to play with that as soon as it is out ^^For one thing b/c I think e-paper is cool, but then I'm also interested to see the power consumption of it all...So I though I just throw this in the forum.EDIT:Ooops, the link:http://www.st.com/web/catalog/tools/FM116/SC959/SS1532/LN1848/PF260319?ecmp=260319_enews_mcunews_jun2014&sp_rid=NjkwODIzNDcwNzES1&sp_mid=9375405*1) just saw it listed at one German distributor, for 21.60 EUR, unusually high price for such an ST devboard - is it the E-Paper that does that?Ad for anyone who's interested more in the MCU series (no they don't give me money)http://www.st.com/st-web-ui/static/active/en/fragment/multimedia/e-presentation/product_pres/Epres_STM32L0.swf

author: smuebreg
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 03:32:02 am
content: Actually, the new discovery board is (well, was) already available from Digikey at least. Same for the new STM32 NUCLEO-L053R8 board:http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/STM32L0538-DISCO/497-14709-ND/4866483http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/NUCLEO-L053R8/497-14710-ND/4866484I was able to order and receive one of each before they went out of stock...ETA for new stock appears to be September (ouch!). The e-ink display on the discovery board is pretty neat...it arrives out of the box with a demo display already imprinted on it, no power required. Have not experimented with it yet but also interested in the power consumption of both the display and the L0 MCU in general...if it meets its spec'ed numbers, it looks to be a real winner...
uC supporting I2C Master High Speed Mode (3.4Mbps) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rfbroadband
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 07:12:33 pm
content: does anyone have experience (good or bad) using a uC that supports I2C as a master in HS (3.4Mbps) mode? Not many uC support the high speed mode is what I am finding...thanksPS.: looks like TI MSP430 supports 3.4Mbps...
Verilog - Connect non-top level module to pins directly - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: pigtwo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2014, 08:30:32 pm
content: Hello everyone!I have a hard to google question so I'm hoping someone here might know.I'm working with a project in Verilog and I was wondering if there was a way to have a non-top level module have some of its inputs/outputs connect directly to a pin without going through the top-level module.I hope that made sense, it's kind of hard to explain. I'll try to explain more in an example. Say I have a module that just blinks a LED and I don't want this to be done in the top level module. Is there a way that I could have that module connect directly to a pin without it going through the top level module at all? So in this(extreme) case that module would actually have no connection to the top level module.I'm using Quartus II if that helps.Thanks!

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 22, 2014, 10:02:21 pm
content: Nope

author: pigtwo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2014, 10:09:09 pm
content: DamnSent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2014, 12:14:23 am
content: You can always make a block diagram/schematic file top level. And then create a symbol file from your Verilog modules.Insert the created symbol in your bdf file and connect it to a pin.Insert your previous top level as a symbol in there too so it can do what it needs to do.

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 07:22:41 am
content: You probably can do it in Quartus, but it will no doubt be more trouble than it's worth. You can do it in ISE, and I know it is more trouble than it's worth there.You would have to muck about with putting constraints on signals to make sure they are not optimized away and are connected. Incidentally, do the altera tools have the equivalent of fpga editor (a la xilinx)? Reason I ask, you can also do this "connect to pin" business using fpga editor. And again, for the job of connecting a non-top level signal to the io pins this is more trouble than it's worth.So the short answer is already given by marshallh.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 07:54:01 am
content: I often allocate some top level pins as test points for exactly this reason. Each lower level component has some test point outputs, which I map to the 'real' TP pins as and when there's something I need to debug at the lower level.There's no shame in including some test & debug capability as part of your design, and you can always just program the external TP's to drive 0 in the final design if you don't want to expose any of the inner workings of your logic through them.

author: pigtwo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 05:12:58 pm
content: That's what I was expecting. I was hoping there would be like a keyword you could add or something.Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
siliconblue/lattice iCE65L04 anyone ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dmy
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 19, 2014, 09:37:09 am
content: hello people,recently I'm playing around with my DSOquad, reimplementing the firmware for fun: while getting the various parts to work, I came to the limitations of the current FPGA configuration, so I need to reconfigure it.the problem is, I can't find any tool to synthesize/place/route this particular model:I tried the most recent icecube2, which is free, but it seems to works only with iCE40 ...I gave a look to what chips the other commercial tools can work with, but the tools I had access to where marketed years before the release date of the chip, hence no support.as a sidenote, in the icecube2 config files there are commented sections for the '65, so I tried by uncommenting them, but could be that simple ? surely not !in fact, icecube2 can now work with it, checking/compiling my verilog, but once it passes data (the netlist, I think ?) to its synthesis backend it stops, because it's a stripped down version of synplify pro and it doesn't know the chip ... so now I'm stuck.which tools (even commercial) support this particular chip ?

author: andersm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2014, 10:02:26 am
content: AFAIK Lattice killed the iCE65 almost immediately after acquiring Silicon Blue, so you're probably out of luck, at least as far as free tools are concerned.

author: dmy
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 24, 2014, 08:23:08 am
content: these are sad news ... I won't surrender though.I'll try to politely ask lattice or seeedstudio, surely it won't hurt.thanks for the reply