hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
Q: Fixing ATTINYs with AVR ISP mkII - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: JamesHowlett
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2015, 07:07:03 am
content: Hello,I have been working on a controller board which drives some mosfets and LEDs. Along the way I fried some ATTINY 44 chips and some are not programmable with my arduion uno borard because either I set the pins 7 8 and 9 of ATTINY as outputs and arduino uno as ISP can no longer supply current to these pins or I set them low at the setup so that some pins are shorted, either way if I want to burn a new sketch to the chips, arduino shorts out and disconnects from the com port. But there is no problem with the functionality of the arduino itself.I have found a project like this to repair broken ATTINY chipshttp://www.instructables.com/id/AVR-Attiny-fusebit-doctor-HVSP/But I am not sure that whether I really want to build the circuit or not.My question is: Is it possible to repair the chips with Atmel's AVRISP mkII and AVR studio as the circuit above does? I never worked with an AVRISP and AVR studio before and I need some advice.RegardsOz

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2015, 07:48:47 am
content: If you have cleared either the RSTDISBL or the DWEN bit in the configuration fuses, or you have somehow managed to set the SPIEN bit then you need a high voltage programmer to perform any further programming operations. There is no way around this. The AVRISP is not a high voltage programmer, so will not help in this case.If the configuration fuses still permit low voltage programming, then it shouldn't matter what you do to the SPI programming pins within your ATTiny code, since all programming operations are performed under reset. It's possible that the ISP code you are running on your Arduino is not written very well; the programmers data and clock lines should remain tri-stated until the programmer asserts the reset signal on the chip it's programming.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2015, 11:18:42 am
content: QuoteIf avrisp mkii / avr studio can generate a compliant high voltage.I wrote a attiny fuse restorer using the serial protocol. It is very simple.
Arduino trinket not entering bootloader - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: zerorisers
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2015, 03:22:35 pm
content: Hello, zerorisers here, and I cant seem to figure out how to make this arduino trinket enter bootloader. i press the reset button, red light is solid for a second or so, and turns of. no blinking red light at all. green light is on so I know its functional in that respect. I am running CentOS linux on the machine i use to program. If anybody has any insight to what is wrong please tell me.
What to do with a Freescale SABRE Lite board? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: yami759
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2015, 01:07:57 am
content: A decent while ago, I won a SABRE Lite i.MX6 Development board fromelement 14that has just been collecting dust after one use when I was excited and received it. I have recently stumbled upon it and was wondering if anyone knew any cool projects to do with it?(I don't suppose anyone would like to buy a once-user board?)

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2015, 02:05:16 am
content: A XMBC box? (i.MX6 has doesn't do 23.98 Hz though, might be fixable by resampling audio.)

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 31, 2015, 03:33:42 am
content: How much you want for it?

author: yami759
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2015, 06:54:33 am
content: Quote from: Marco on March 31, 2015, 02:05:16 amHow big an advantage would I get from using something such as a Raspberry Pi? (I'm planning on using a model B I have when my family cuts the cable very soon)?Quote from: marshallh on March 31, 2015, 03:33:42 amHonestly, no idea.(As I said before, however, this is technically lightly used, not in New condition - just trying to be honest)
Arduino uno R3 from eagle : avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: shiohigari
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 01, 2015, 06:55:38 am
content: Hi all,I loaded up the open source R3 schematics in eagle and had some boards made and have finally finished populating them. Unfortunately I am having trouble uploading any kind of sketch to the 328P-PU.The bootloader was successfully installed on both 328P-PU chips. I have tried both theArduino-COMBINED-dfu-usbserial-atmega16u2-Uno-Rev3.hex and,Arduino-usbserial-atmega16u2-Uno-Rev3.hexfirmwares for the MEGA16U2.At this point i am unable to identify why neither board will receive a sketch.Arduino IDE returns,Binary sketch size: 1,082 bytes (of a 30,720 byte maximum)avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not respondingA loop-back test was conducted and the board successfully received the echoes.Any help or insight would be appreciated.

author: ripnet
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 01, 2015, 04:21:52 pm
content: Do they have a bootloader?

author: shiohigari
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 12:36:49 am
content: Quote from: shiohigari on April 01, 2015, 06:55:38 amYes they do.

author: ralphd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2015, 04:31:06 am
content: I don't see caps for the 328p's resonator. Without them the timing of the UART could be off. Try connecting directly to the tx/rx pins of the 328p with a USB-TTL module and see if you can flash anything to it.
Vote for your favorite #PSoCMaker - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: CypressPSoC
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 04:58:36 pm
content: The PSoC Pioneer Challenge: Maker Faire Edition has received 10 excellent design submissions!You have the chance to vote for your favorite projects (before April 15th) to narrow down to the 5 finalists.The winner of this design competition will be featured at this year's Maker Faire in the Bay Area, CA.http://makezine.com/psoc-maker-challenge/
Any need to support FAT16 these days - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2015, 12:27:37 am
content: I'm revisiting some FAT code that I wrote several years ago and was considering getting rid of FAT16 support.I was considering "messing" up the code with a bunch of conditional defines but my thinking is there's probably not much call for FAT16 these days especially considering the difficulty in obtaining any storage media less than 1GB in size.Any thoughts?

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2015, 01:25:19 am
content: There is very little business case for support of this protocol now, but the dropping of support for older protocols is an irritation for me and anyone else who isn't totally in favor of our throwaway society.Anything new I have will not be FAT16, but I still have floppy disc drives with old information and data stored on them. A USB floppy drive keeps them accessible on relatively current machinery. Sure, I could take a few days and copy them off onto some new media. This is just one example, there are many others where the obsolete hardware found in closets, surplus stores and waste bins still has value to someone.While it isn't FAT related, a similar example is the ink jet printer I use at home, which was a fairly high end small business all in one model when new. It still functions perfectly, with multiple paper trays, duplex printing, multi-sheet scanning etc. In the Windows environment the currently available drivers only support relatively simple printing tasks. Scanning is virtually impossible. Under Linux I can get better support, but nothing like the features that came with the drivers that worked under Windows XP.
ESP8266 SPI flash runs at 40Mhz - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ralphd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2015, 06:37:45 pm
content: I had some fun with my Rigol scope measuring the SPI clock on an ESP8266 module. I didn't know if it would run at the same speed as the CPU clock, or half speed. Given that it runs at half speed and the flash is rated for 80Mhz, it would seem pretty safe to clock the ESP8266 at 160Mhz instead of the default 80. I've attached one scope shot. For more details, see my blog post.http://nerdralph.blogspot.ca/2015/03/esp8266-spi-flash-performance.html
FPGA Configuration - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ahsansaeed
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 28, 2015, 01:45:08 pm
content: Dear All,I have spartan3 fpga of Digilent. I want to configure it. Can anybody explain its hardware functionality means where the cable will be attached and how many switches, ports etc it has physically. If someone has explanation with pictures or video. highly appreciated. Thank you

author: suicidaleggroll
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2015, 01:53:31 pm
content: I don't understand the question. If you have this board, then can't you justcountthe number of physical switches? Which board do you have? Digilent has three active models with the Spartan-3E, with reference manuals, guides, and example designs for each:http://digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,400,789&Prod=NEXYS2http://digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,400,790&Prod=BASYS2http://digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,400,792&Prod=S3EBOARD

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2015, 04:50:08 pm
content: Quote from: ahsansaeed on March 28, 2015, 01:45:08 pmThe FPGA's functionally is wholly determined by the bitstream you load into it. So, what is the FPGA design supposed to do?
ESP8266 - ESP07/12 Breadboard Adapter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 08:10:03 am
content: Good Morning All,A new ESP8266 - ESP 07/12 Breadboard Adapter safely arrived in my MailBox. This time it's coming from Baoshi, a member of EEVBlog Forum.For more details, pictures, etc:http://www.esp8266-projects.com/2015/03/mailbag-arrival-new-esp8266-adapter.htmlYoutube video of the NodeMCU Firmware upload process and first run, the infamous Blinky

author: ralphd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2015, 06:54:38 pm
content: The reset/boot circuit is neat. I think it would be even better with a flip-flop (only 2 transistors needed) so that entering flash mode isn't time dependent.

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2015, 06:30:26 am
content: Quote from: ralphd on March 26, 2015, 06:54:38 pmIt's just a different approach from the standard 2 buttons one. You can try it also with a flip-flop circuit and share with us the results. Some timing still remain I think.I prefer separate RST and PRG buttons for good reasons.I don't change the firmware very often or at all.

author: baoshi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2015, 02:36:18 pm
content: Quote from: ralphd on March 26, 2015, 06:54:38 pmThe GPIO0 has to be held low for 15-20ms after rising edge of RESET in order for ESP8266 to enter into bootloader mode. And the held down shall not exceed 700ms because after that ESP8266 seems to output some data from GPIO0. This is the main design requirement of the reset/prog circuit.Since I'm doing firmware development, I press the button almost every minute. Lua or AT developer probably does not need to flash the chip that often.I'm now working on a newer version of the board with more intelligent reset circuitry.Thanks for the post.
Piklab - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: IuriC
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 05:56:19 pm
content: I was looking for a IDE for PIC programming in Linux since MPLABX doesn't support my ICD2 programmer/debugger and found this Piklab (http://piklab.sourceforge.net/)So far I succeeded to install it but I still having problems connecting with my ICD2.Is there anyone here using Piklab or has used in past?Thank you.

author: Andy Watson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 07:23:50 pm
content: I don't know about PicLab - have you given it sufficient permissions to access the USB ports?I generally use the gputils package to compile programs and PicDev to program via a picKit2http://pikdev.free.fr/It seems to support most of the microchip processor range, ... except the one that I have recently chosen for a USB project

author: IuriC
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 10:08:15 pm
content: I'm newby in this "Linux World", so I don't know yet how to set permissions...I Have to check how to do that.Did you like this CPIK compiler? Do you think that is better than SDCC for PIC?

author: IuriC
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 11:22:34 pm
content: Finally it is working! It was user permissions denying my access to usb port...Thank you for your help!
STM32 Flash organization - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tanffn
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2015, 12:35:40 am
content: Hello!I found an interesting issue with FLASH_Erase_Sector().Two setups, one always works the other usually doesn't.Setup 1 - that always works:Program starts at SECTOR_0Code:define symbol __ICFEDIT_intvec_start__ = 0x08000000;define symbol __ICFEDIT_region_ROM_start__ = 0x08000000;And my variables I wish to save is at SECTOR_10 (0x080C0000)Setup 2 - That "sometimes" works:Program starts at SECTOR_6 (2nd 128KB sector)Code:define symbol __ICFEDIT_intvec_start__ = 0x08040000;define symbol __ICFEDIT_region_ROM_start__ = 0x08040000;And my variables I wish to save is at SECTOR_[0 to 5] SECTOR_[7 to 11].In the 2nd setup the PC will run to the end of the memory (when I stop it and look at the assembly windows).The weird thing is that it's inconsistent, sometimes it does work..If I try to debug it, moving step by step it *always* work, if I run it it will fail (stuck)Looking at the project.map everything looks good..Maybe it's something to do with timing? (sector <5 are smaller, faster to erase which is also why I prefer the 2nd setup).Did you encounter this phenomena? What do you think?

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2015, 08:41:32 pm
content: I'm not sure what chip you have. But the reset vector is fetched from 0x0800 0000 in the F4.You cannot start at sector 6 without 0x0800 0000 telling to go there. Or did I miss something?Since I put my .RESET and vector table inside sector 0, and all other stuff in sectors >1. Saving 16 kB for settings. Which is plenty.I looked for an option byte or otp telling to start code from a different bank, but couldn't find one.The F103 has that option, but the F4 seems to lack it.

author: tanffn
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2015, 05:03:10 pm
content: Thank you Jeroen,I will look into it.
Circuit Maker Open Beta - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ehughes
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2015, 12:19:52 am
content: http://blog.circuitmaker.com/#Blogs/The-Road-to-Maker-Faire

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2015, 12:31:19 am
content: Cool, at least we have a date now

author: ehughes
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2015, 08:57:39 pm
content: whoops.. Apologize for putting this in the wrong forum.
ESP8266 power and pullups - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ralphd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2015, 07:01:11 pm
content: Despite all the talk about esp8266 modules, I didn't see anyone else confirming they'll work off the 3.3V output from a PL2303HX. I also read that external pullups are required on GPIO0 and GPIO2 for booting from flash, but my testing contradicts that. So here's yet another blog post about the ESP8266 Wifi modules.http://nerdralph.blogspot.ca/2015/03/one-more-esp8266-article.html

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2015, 06:25:57 am
content: Quote from: ralphd on March 26, 2015, 07:01:11 pmCannot confirm for PL2303HX,I'm using CP2102 ones and yes, you can use it to the limit IF in programming mode/WIFI client mode. In AP mode needs more juice.About power consumption, it really matters your own specific application. For what I need, it stay around 70mA with peak at 110-120mA.I am talking about latest ESP-07/12 modules. ESP-01 for example looks way more hungry. I will do a power consumption comparison/test but didn't had the time yet.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2015, 07:00:15 am
content: I am using it with Crius FTDI Basic set to 3.3V and no problems. Also, no pullup resistors on GPIO0/2 and RST. CH_PD is tied directly to 3.3V.

author: ralphd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2015, 05:09:32 pm
content: Quote from: TJ232 on March 27, 2015, 06:25:57 amOther than the current from the red LED on the ESP-01, I'd be surprised if it used more power than any other module since they're all using the same ESP8266EX chip.
Fastest AVR software SPI in the West - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ralphd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2015, 03:48:03 am
content: I disassembled some software SPI code, starting with Adafruit's "fast" spiWrite (@ 17/18 cycles per bit) from their Arduino Nokia LCD library. I wrote an optimized C SPI function that takes just 8 cycles per bit, and show how to shave 1 cycle per bit off that in assembler by using the carry flag like a 9th bit. I finished with writing the fastest possible software bit-banged SPI AVR assembler routine, taking only 4 cycles per bit unrolled.http://nerdralph.blogspot.ca/2015/03/fastest-avr-software-spi-in-west.html

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2015, 06:02:02 am
content: This is fascinating. The C compiler is ADDING A LOOP COUNTER, even though there was none in the source code, and none is needed! And a 16-bit loop counter at that! I wonder WTF it's thinking? (Also, let this be a warning against "optimizing" your C code without carefully inspecting the results!)(It does the same thing if you convert the for loop to a do-while and try to retain the (shifted result == 0) conditional...)Code:void spiWrite(uint8_t data){uint8_t bit;for(bit = 0x80; bit; bit >>= 1) {SPIPORT &= ~clkpinmask;if(data & bit) SPIPORT |= mosipinmask;else SPIPORT &= ~mosipinmask;SPIPORT |= clkpinmask;}}00000000 <spiWrite>:0: 28 e0 ldi r18, 0x08 ; 8 Created loop counter in r19:r182: 30 e0 ldi r19, 0x00 ; 04: 90 e8 ldi r25, 0x80 ; 1286: 2d 98 cbi 0x05, 5 ; 58: 49 2f mov r20, r25a: 48 23 and r20, r24c: 11 f0 breq .+4 ; 0x12e: 2c 9a sbi 0x05, 4 ; 510: 01 c0 rjmp .+2 ; 0x1412: 2c 98 cbi 0x05, 4 ; 514: 2d 9a sbi 0x05, 5 ; 516: 96 95 lsr r2518: 21 50 subi r18, 0x01 ; 1 decrement the created loop counter (16bits!)1a: 31 09 sbc r19, r11c: 21 15 cp r18, r1 ; compare loop counter with zero.1e: 31 05 cpc r19, r120: 91 f7 brne .-28 ; 0x622: 08 95 ret

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2015, 08:23:12 am
content: Quote from: ralphd on March 30, 2015, 03:48:03 amThat only covers one combination of clock polarity and phase, so you'd need another three versions to cover all peripherals.Quote from: westfw on March 30, 2015, 06:02:02 amLook up "integer promotion". A decent optimiser should remove this, what did you have the optimiser set to?

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2015, 09:17:52 am
content: I fail to see how creating a counter out of nothing qualifies as "integer promotion." (although there are some other inefficiencies in there that I might blame on that.) For example, explicitly adding an 8-bit counter ends up shortening the code:Code:void spiWrite3(uint8_t data){uint8_t bit=0x80, i;for(i=8; i > 0; i++) {SPIPORT &= (uint8_t)~clkpinmask;if(data & bit) SPIPORT |= (uint8_t)mosipinmask;else SPIPORT &= (uint8_t)~mosipinmask;SPIPORT |= clkpinmask;bit >>= 1;}}Arduino normally compiles with -Os. The same code is produced with -O2, and -O3 unrolls the loop.
[PIC] Calibration Strategy - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: katzohki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2015, 10:42:34 pm
content: I'm currently work on a project that needs to check for a number somewhere in memory when it powers up and then start a calibration routine if the number is not present or zero. At the moment I'm developing on the PIC16F1509 which has no EEPROM. I'm writing the code in XC8.Since I only need to check the number on power up and then write it to program memory once (unless I call the calibrate function manually I guess), is there any "quick and easy" way to get this done? Since I'm writing in C, I wasn't exactly sure how to reserve a program memory address to use. Are there any useful "tips and tricks" or code snippits to get this done?

author: katzohki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 03:51:56 pm
content: Wow, yep... that'll do it. Man, how did I miss that?
Any MCUs out there with good ADC and a USB connection? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Esposch T. Tapir
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2015, 04:54:53 am
content: As the title suggests, wondering if anyone knew of a decent micro with both a fast ADC and USB modulator.Ideally would have a multi-channel 500ksps+ ADC, plus on-chip USB (12Mb/s full speed), a DAC or two and a PWM.I've looked around and the PIC32MX series stands out. It has all of the features I need and costs about US$1.50 in 5k quantities.Does anyone know of anything a bit cheaper/faster/better, though? Or am I really not going to get much better than that?Cheers,~Chris

author: marus25
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 23, 2015, 05:38:30 pm
content: I'd look into the STM32F3 series, the STM32F303 line in particular.Cortex-M4F core with up to 512 kB Flash and 80 kB SRAM. Seems to hit all of your points (and then some)- Up to four ADCs (depending on particular chip) each capable of running at 5 MSPS (you can do up to 18 MSPS interleaved using one with all 4 ADCs)- Up to 2 12-bit DACs- Up to 10 16-bit timers and 1 32bit timer for PWM outputs- USB deviceAlso - STMs devices tend to be relatively cheap compared to some others; and have cheap development boards (Nucleo and Discovery series)Can be programmed with gcc;

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2015, 07:50:04 pm
content: LPC4370 does 12bit 80Mbit ADC + USB 2.0http://airspy.com/is one of the products buil around it

author: Esposch T. Tapir
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 02:28:53 am
content: Thanks for the responses.Checked what you guys said, and wow does that STM32F303/LPC4370 look nice.Unfortunately the design is cost-sensitive (plan on doing a 1-10k unit production run - sorry for not mentioning this) so it looks like the XMEGA (A4U) might be the best choice.$1.67 on Digikey (vs about $1.80 for a STM32F302), easy to source and as mentioned good documentation/IDE/sample code.Does that sound about right to you guys, or are there much better options out there?
Popcount math works fine in a verilog test bench, but module fails in real life - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: farrell
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2015, 12:38:59 am
content: I'm making a primitive delta-sigma ADC with an FPGA. The input stage takes the output of a comparator, and shifts that bit into a register. The popcount (number of 1's) of the register is kept track of, and output from the input stage. The problem I am having is that my module seems to work perfectly in a verilog test bench, but in real life the popcount is wrong. It seems to increment or decrement as expected, but the value is wrong. I'm clocking my MachXO2 at 2.08MHz so I don't think it's a timing problem.My module:Code:module delta_sigma(clock, comparator_output, comparator_feedback, adc_output);input clock;input comparator_output;output reg comparator_feedback;output reg [7:0] adc_output;// input stage: LVDS comparator does the "delta" part, the "sigma" part is calc'd here// 1. copy the comparator output to the feedback pin// 2. shift the comparator output into a (2^n)-1 bit register// 3. obtain popcount (number of 1's) of that register.reg [14:0] feedback_waveform = 0; // 15 bitsreg [3:0] popcount = 0; // a number from 0-15always @(posedge clock)begincomparator_feedback <= comparator_output;feedback_waveform <= {comparator_output, feedback_waveform[14:1]}; // shift in the new bitpopcount <= popcount + comparator_output - feedback_waveform; // add new MSB, subtract old LSBadc_output <= ~popcount; // inverted because the LEDs on dev board are active lowendendmoduleMy test bench:Code:...// generate inputsalways #1 clock = ~clock;always #1 comparator_output = $random;// check that popcount is correctalways @(posedge clock) beginif(uut.popcount != uut.feedback_waveform + ... + uut.feedback_waveform)$display("Error: popcount is incorrect!");end// begin the siminitial beginclock = 0;comparator_output = 0;#1000;$display("Simulation has ended.");$finish;endendmoduleNo errors print out, and spot checking confirms that popcount is accurate:Real life results (using Lattice Reveal):Any ideas?-Farrell
ESP8266 - ST7032i I2C LCD Display Driver - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2015, 11:27:53 am
content: If you need for your ESP Projects a LCD Display , might worth to take in consideration also a ST7032i one.Good price and easy to use, I2C compatible interface, so less data pins used.For more details:http://www.esp8266-projects.com/2015/03/display-time-st7032i-i2c-lcd-display.htmlTest Video :

author: Laurynas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2015, 01:25:28 pm
content: Nice,How much current does is need on idle?can it go to sleep and how much does it consume in sleep mode?I'm running esp8266 from 3x1.2V batteries (it can handle >4V nicely) and adding a battery friendly display sounds like a nice option to have.

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2015, 01:53:43 pm
content: Quote from: Laurynas on March 23, 2015, 01:25:28 pmThe used one is a good quality COG display, operating at around 0.18mA.You can keep it shutdown until needed so consumption is virtually zero.Backlight can kill your "run-for-months" dreams, at around 20-25 mA. Been a high res/sunlight friendly display you don't need backlight, so can stay off. If you want to use it in pitch black environments it's another story.I will suggest you to use a 3V LDO regulator between you batteries and ESP module. Going over 3.4V can kill the beast inside.Also you can easy replace you batteries with a Li-Ion rechargeable one:http://www.esp8266-projects.com/2015/03/mailbag-arrival-new-battery-solution.html

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2015, 09:47:14 am
content: In your blogposts, could you add links to where you source the various items?, i'm wondering about that display, and the charger-pcb.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2015, 10:29:18 am
content: You have become the resident expert on anything esp8266,.Keep up the good work.

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2015, 11:12:40 am
content: Quote from: neslekkim on March 24, 2015, 09:47:14 amIf is OK for everybody I can do it, don't know exactly the rules here. It's ok for you all? Dave?I was told that my account will be deleted from arduino forum by one of the local gods for only posting my articles about esp8266

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2015, 11:18:51 am
content: Quote from: dannyf on March 24, 2015, 10:29:18 amThank you dannyf for your appreciation. It's nice to see your work rewarded.I'm doing my best to bring you more nice and good related stuff soon. Also CBDB DevBoard Rev.2 it's on it's way to the world
TI - MSP430F2012: Findings to share - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tolsen5468
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 07:26:04 pm
content: Im sure there's someone out there that can explain everything I'm about to say, but I'm just a beginner reaching out to other beginners. Also looking for maybe some help from the community as well.To start off I'm using a TI MSP430F2012 which is a 14 pin PDIP Micro on a TI launchpad (MSP-EXP430G2) using energia (because I'm using a Mac and I'm deep into the arduino world).So here's what I've found: Besides downloading the actual energia software you must also install the supporting drivers to run the serial communications (a moment of stupidity on my part).Next: In order to program that chip, you must select the msp430g2231(1MHz) board selected, which under the specs of the chip it's claimed to have a max internal clock of 16MHz at the voltage being supplied by the board so I thought that you would use one of the other 16MHz boards in the settings to program, wrong again, I then looked at the data sheet and saw "Active Mode: 220 µA at 1 MHz, 2.2 V" so it would make sense that it would be programmed with the 1MHz chip selected, among other reasons as well.Lastly: I was trying to get my bearings on how the serial communications worked in energia compared to arduino and I found that although in the setup you can call "Serial.begin(9600);" which would indicate a 9600 baud communications, right? I guess not because when I have it loop a simple serial.print and a delay it came up with a bunch of symbols which would be common with selecting the wrong baud in the serial monitor, so after selecting a few, 4800 baud worked perfectly, I'm sure there's some explanation for why you can declare a 9600 rate on the micro but then have to read it at a 4800 rate, just an interesting observation.Now I'm reaching out to someone in the world for some help. I have a 16x2 LCD screen with an I2c interface, and I know my msp430f2012 has I2c communication. I have an arduino library that can run the LCD from an arduino over I2c, but I have yet to find such a library for energia. Does anybody know if I can use that library in energia, or is there a library that someone knows of? If neither does anyone want to help contribute in making such a library?

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 09:30:06 pm
content: Your first two issues are energia related.If the arduino code is written for the same display and the i2c routines on the map are identical or similar to those on the avr, you can easily reuse them.I would however suggest that this may be a good time to move away from arduino or energia.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 03:36:16 pm
content: A quick google showed me that there are some i2c libs for energia. Might check on nthe 43oh message board to see if anyone has done an LCD one.
How do I deal with different XTAL pin capacitance when selecting 32kHz XTAL  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: miceuz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 10:14:44 pm
content: Hi all,I'm trying to select a 32kHz crystal for Atmega48A MCU and avoid using load capacitors to keep the part count down.Atmega48A specifies different capacitances for Xtal1 and Xtal2 pins:18pF for Xtal18pF for Xtal2The datasheet says: "The capacitance (Ce+Ci) needed at each TOSC pin can be calculated by using:C = 2 * CL – Cs" Where CL is load capacitance specified for the crystal and Cs is stray capacitance.http://www.atmel.com/images/Atmel-8271-8-bit-AVR-Microcontroller-ATmega48A-48PA-88A-88PA-168A-168PA-328-328P_datasheet_Complete.pdfCan I assume that each pin has (18+8)/2=13pF of capacitance? Can I select a 8pF crystal and use it without external load caps assuming ~3pF of stray capacitance?

author: miceuz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 08:53:11 am
content: anyone?

author: LA7SJA
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 09:23:12 am
content: Just try end see if it works. You can't kill any thing so just try, and you can change the startup delay to be shure it's stable before executing the program. Check with your scope (you do have a scope?) whit the caps and whithout and watch the startup and signal of the osc. I have nevere needed cap's on the type of 32kHz XTals I use.

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 09:53:58 am
content: QuoteFrom the datasheet page 33it saysQuoteSo I would say no to 8pFMy calcs, correct me if I am wrong.C = Ci + Ce = 2 * CL – Cstherefore Cexternal = 2 * Cload - Cstray - Cinternalassuming 5.5pF xtal load cap. (just because this is where Xtal2 hits zero.)Ce(Xtal1) = 2 * 5.5pf - 3pF - 18pF which is going to be less than zero so it is zero.Ce(Xtal2) = 2 * 5.5pf - 3pF - 8pF which equals zero.all you got to do is find a 5.5pF xtal and make sure your stray cap on Xtal2 is >= 3pf.If you are going into a large production run I would be very careful here. If not try it and see.

author: LA7SJA
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 03:50:08 pm
content: Some info from AtmelAVR4100: Selecting and testing 32kHz crystal oscillators for Atmel AVR microcontrollersJohan-Fredrik
How do I start with ARM32? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Chumanista
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 04:15:17 pm
content: I need to learn programming for the STM32 architecture (STM32F205 to be exact).Where do I start?Are there any good books?Should I use the default libraries?

author: JohnnyBerg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 04:19:58 pm
content: Perhaps this thread is a good start:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/st's-(stm32cube)-software-ecosystem-is-terrible-how-can-we-fix-it/

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 05:11:58 pm
content: searching works sometimes:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/stm32-ghetto-style/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/one-dollar-one-minute-arm-development/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/my-first-armlpc-design-please-critic/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/introducing-the-arm-pro-mini-board-arm-made-eazy/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/want-to-get-started-with-arm-stm32/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/arm-toolchain-general-discussion/

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 05:23:33 pm
content: IMHO this is one of the easiest ones:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/introducing-the-arm-pro-mini-board-arm-made-eazy/

author: andersm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 06:13:30 pm
content: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0124080820

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 06:38:46 pm
content: The best books are the datasheet, compiler manual, and library user guides. And lots of sample code pieces.Those chips are easy if you are good with reading comprehension, and are comfortable working with large modules of code.

author: JohnnyBerg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 06:46:58 pm
content: Quote from: dannyf on March 16, 2015, 06:38:46 pmThank God the datasheet is only 179 pages, compared to the reference manual that is over a 1000 pages.That will get him started

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 06:52:19 pm
content: @Johnnyberg: you forgot the sarcasm smiley?

author: JohnnyBerg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 06:55:40 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on March 16, 2015, 06:52:19 pmAhhhrgggg .. sorry about that ... here it is:
Abatron closing - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: andersm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 07:55:31 pm
content: I foundthis noticeon Abatron's website stating that the company is closing down. The wording of the statement and the published EOL document makes it sound like a one-man shop where the owner is retiring rather than the company going bust.EDIT: Changed link to archived copy.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 09:14:10 pm
content: They only support architectures which are on the edge of obsoletion. I guess the business is not viable to invest in supporting newer architectures.

author: Dongulus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 10:38:51 pm
content: Thanks for the info. Some of the products that my business group manufactures contain old PowerPC processors and we use BDI3000s to program them.
Propeller reset of 6502 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: netdudeuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 10:31:41 am
content: HiI'd like to use an output pin of a (3.3 volt) Parallax Propeller to reset an NMOS (5 volt) 6502. I've currently got a pull up resister on the reset pin and I manually reset the 6502 but I think that I'll need to remove that when I connect to the Propeller or I would be taking the output pin on the Propeller high.Would it be ok to just connect the two pins together and take the Propeller output pin low for a prescribed amount of time ?

author: elgonzo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 10:42:22 am
content: Your propeller likely would not react too kindly if you connect it with a line that is pulled up to approx. 5V.Use a transistor as a kind of "reset button". Something like that:Note that this is only an example circuit - it depicts resetting a 3.3V device with a 5V device. But the general circuit structure should be the same - just the transistor and resistor values might perhaps differ in your case...

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 11:31:14 am
content: QuotePut a resistor in between to limit the current (or to use a pull-up if the reset pin doesn't have clamping diodes) - it will work but not pretty.The proper way is to use a transistor as a level shifter.

author: netdudeuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 05:50:06 pm
content: Thanks for the replies.I have some 2N3904s. Please do you know good values for R3 (3.3v Propeller output) and R1 (5v 6502 reset pin) ?

author: DJohn
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 09:21:21 pm
content: I don't have the datasheet for the NMOS 6502, but the one for the 6510 has a minimum value for V_IH on /RES of V_SS+2V. If the 6502 is the only chip you've got on that signal, you can drive it directly from the Propeller.

author: netdudeuk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2015, 10:11:14 pm
content: Hooked it up directly today and it seems to work ok thanks.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 01:28:44 am
content: Quote from: netdudeuk on March 15, 2015, 10:11:14 pmI drove through a red light today and it seems to work ok thanks.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 01:46:19 am
content: Quote from: zapta on March 16, 2015, 01:28:44 amDamn, it didn't work for me. Maybe should paint my car asphalt grey and see if I have better luck
PCF8563 - Real Time Clock and Calendar I2C Driver - ESP8266 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2015, 08:54:17 am
content: If you need for your ESP8266 projects a proper RTC, might worth to take in consideration also PCF8563. Good price and easy to implement a I2C driver for it.First test:Update Time and Date with Google page:For more details:http://www.esp8266-projects.com/2015/03/pcf8563-real-time-clock-i2c-driver.html

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2015, 12:44:31 am
content: I agree, the PCF8563 is a nice RTC:I used this $4 boardhttp://www.wvshare.com/product/PCF8563-RTC-Board.htmwith a cypress USB-Serial bridge that can do I2C to talk to the board from my PC:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/cheap-easy-i2c-dev-kit/msg623983/#msg623983Edit: btw, even if they say they will remove the battery for shipping, they didn't, tsk tsk.
Video Tutorials on PSoC 4 BLE - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: CypressPSoC
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2015, 05:14:45 pm
content: We've posted a few 101-level video tutorials to our YouTube channel. These beginner videos teach you how to get started with PSoC 4 BLE.You can learn more about Cypress BLE solutions here:www.cypress.com/BLE1. Intro to BLE2. Configuring a FindMe Profile3. Finishing the FindMe Profile4. Adding a Battery Level Service5. Using CapSense with BLE6. Extending Battery Life with Low-Power Modes
Need help on ICE40 FPGA - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: blueskull
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 05:52:59 am
content: Hello,Does anyone know what exactly is the NVCM of an ICE40 device? Is it OTP or how many times can I program it?I know ICE65 is OTP, but how about ICE40? A Lattice white paper suggests it is MTP, but that only says Lattice NVCM, not mentioning any specific product. On the other hand, Silicon Blue says their ICE65 is only OTP. What about ICE40?Also, I want to know how to program those chips? I don't want to spend 160+ USD into a programming cable. They say it can be done via any SPI controller, but they didn't provide any information except for 5 ambiguous waveforms in their one application note.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 09:19:45 am
content: Attatched is the FTDI FT_Prog template file for the programmer on the XO2 eval board - this will work with ISVM.BTW I spent a lot of time trying to get an FTDI FT232H cable working with no success, which i sa shame as that would have been a nice solutionAnother option for a chap Lattice programmer is just buy the cheap XO2 board and unsolder the FPGA. The JTAG signals are on a header but unfortunately you can't disconnect from the FPGA, though you could probably track-hack as only TDO would disconnecting

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 10:59:57 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on March 12, 2015, 10:30:58 pmWhich "original cable"? The XO2 board does appear to use a 93C56QuoteAre you saying the Lattice SW uses FTDI EEPROM read calls to read some special values they program into their devices, as opposed to/as well as using the standard FTDI device identifier string?

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 11:49:14 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on March 12, 2015, 11:10:26 pmNo.The cheap XO2 board uses an FT2232H as a programmer, and this is supported by ISPVM for all devices. The only difference between this and a "proper" programmer is that it doesn't have IO voltage support for non 3.3v systems.If you could make the Lattice SW talk to an FT232H instead of a FT2232H, then you could use one of these cables as a cheap, ready-made programmerhttp://www.ftdichip.com/Products/Cables/USBMPSSE.htm
Any good Freescale HC08/RS08 programmer? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2015, 01:10:56 am
content: I'm pulling my hairs out because the PE Micro USB BDM Multilink programmer I got doesn't seem to work reliably from a virtual machine and Windows 7 doesn't seem to be supported as well. Are there any alternatives out there which just work (Linux or Windows) and are easy to buy?
Precision ratio between Stepper axes when the main loop timestep is too coarse - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MLM
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 11:15:35 pm
content: How can I keep a precision ratio between two axes when the main loop timestep is too big?Say the main loop timestep is 0.1 seconds. If the stepper pulse width is 0.01 for x and 0.05 for y. Then with my current code, on each tick they both step(because 0.1 > (0.01 || 0.05)) and you end up with a uniform diagonal line instead of a line with 1/5 slope.I can't just use a fixed timestep and run through/catch-up on the frames because my actual application, driving stepper motors, there needs to be real-world time between each movement. Each step moves a certain linear distance.I tried using the overflow/error time but it doesn't correct it.The problem isn't calculating a linear path, it is translating that into pulse steps.I am going to be running on aTeensy 3.0/3.1. I am using theelapsedMicrostype to write non-blocking code.Demos:Here is a barebones JavaScript simulation demo:http://jsfiddle.net/MadLittleMods/6n3s3p1d/6/I am going to port over this code once it is working correctly. I am using JavaScript for easy prototyping and debugging.

author: Andy Watson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 11:33:52 pm
content: Bresenham's algorithm works very well, but you have to tailor the code for each octant that you work in.

author: MLM
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 01:33:20 am
content: I was able to get my barebones demo working somewhat accurately with some help fromLuggage over in the SO JavaScript chat room.Fixed demo:http://jsfiddle.net/MadLittleMods/6n3s3p1d/20/The key was to remove any the same amount of extra time(whichever axis had more time one was more) from both axes.While this fix helps a lot, I am not totally happy with the result the line is far from perfect.Quote from: Andy Watson on March 10, 2015, 11:33:52 pmI am working on a demo now that usesBresenham's line algorithmto see how it works and compare.Here are some later iterations:
Zeevo BlueStamp. Google comes up empty :/ - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: makerimages
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 03:05:54 pm
content: Whoa, long time no see on the forums!Anyways, apparently either I can't Google, or Google is being stupid. I have a small BT module here, marked0539ZeevoTC2000P-4BlueStampIT-140TC94v-03022-000100e222034TRIPODCame from an old PSION TEKLOGIX Workabout Pro 1 gen. I'd really like to make sth with this, but google constantly denies me any datasheets, it seems.... Anyone who knows anything about this?

author: Moondeck
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 04:05:11 pm
content: Probably a custom solution. You wont be able to find anything on it.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 07:54:33 pm
content: http://cs.ozerki.net/zap/pub/axim-x5/docs/h2200/tc2k_public.pdf