Protel DXP 2004 (Altium) and PIC18F2550 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: acosmo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 10:38:43 pm
content: Hello friends !I am newbie in microcontrollers and Altium as well. At the moment am working on my first project - making some kind of programmer for PIC microcontrollers. I have startup schematic I have found on net and since it is PDF file with predefined components (I could not find locally) I had to make some changes. To be precise, original schematic has PIC18F2550 300mil DIP, and I have only PIC18F2550 I/SO (SOIC). This means I have to adopt PCB to place one I have.Since, I don't have schematic except in PDF file, I have to make my own using Altium and after that produce PBC for my uC.That was the first and primary problem. Another problem is that I am newbie at Altium and have few issues there. First of all, cannot compile my project having one error and multiple warnings.1) Shema.SCHDOC Compiler Net NetIC1_1 contains floating input pins (Pin IC1-1)This error is present since first pin on MCU is open - not connected. If I change that pin to "passive" I don't have this error. My questions is - how to define this pin OR where to find good document (except Microchip's datasheets for PIC18F2550) where I can read how to define every single pin in PIC MCU in Altium? It should be standard procedure for all PICs .... Is it OK to be defined as "passive" if not used? There are other pins not connected but has no error on them ...2) Shema.SCHDOC Compiler NetC4_2 contains IO Pin and Unspecified Port objects (Pin IC1-10,Port OSC2)What exactly I have to define in "pin definition" and in "port definition" to remove this Warning that I have on olmost every connected pin of MCU.3) Shema.SCHDOC Compiler Net NetC5_2 has no driving source (Pin C5-2,Pin IC1-9,Pin Q9-1)I have such warning on two pins. Any help?I know, that I can disable any warning during compilation but I don't believe that it is a good start for me.Of course, I can post my Protel/Altium 2004 project files here If you want to take a look...Thank you.acosmo

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 07:03:58 am
content: I suppose you have used the library that is provided by Altium? I definitely recommend making your own libs. It's very easy and fast. The way I do it:-create integrated library project if you don't have one-add schlib and pcblib to it-add new component to schlib-press PP to place pins, hit tab to make sure you're beggining with pin nr one. Don't assign names yet. Place 28 pins in a row-go to SCHLib panel (bottom right corner, click schlib)-double click your part-click 'edit pins'-enter pin names as per datasheet-open pcblib-go to tool -> footprint wizard-feed the wizard with dimensions from datasheet-go to 3dcontentcentral and find a model for soic-28-save pcblib-go to schlib and doubleclick your part in SCHLib panel-in bottm right click add -> footprint-navigate to your pcblib-hit project-> compile-doneseems like a lot of steps, but it can be done in 5 minutes

author: acosmo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 08:08:36 am
content: Yes and no!Default library that comes with this version of Altium don't has pIC18f2550 at all. So I have googled that Altium provides updated libs and I have downloaded fresh one. This lib for Microchip's Pic18f MCUsvhas 2550 and I have install that library.If even this updated lib don't do the job I'll have to make my own... This error and warnings are all under new version of library for Microchip PIC18F family products..

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 11:49:10 am
content: It is fairly straight forward to produce a schematic / footprint model for a chip in altium/protel. All you need to is integrate the schemaic model / pinouts with the footprint and then you are done.Read the manual.

author: acosmo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 04:22:33 pm
content: OK, I have made "Integrated Library" with one component in it - since it is first time I am doing this. The new component is my version of PIC18F2550 with specification from datasheet (in short). Didn't make 3D model (I hope it is not necessary, it is an option, right?) and compile library - successful.After that, I have removed my previous MCU component from my project and inserted new one from my integrated library. BUT, when try to compile I have exactly the same errors. This means, at least)), that I have made library that acts at least as one from Altium. Hmmm !Now, do you have any suggestions how to configure PINS and PORTS since I believe that some parameters are missing here and that is the main reason why I have such errors. Probably, I have to do some configuring with PINS and PORTS...In further, I need some Microchip guru, to tell me what to do with PIN 1 on my MCU since it is not connected and configured as an "Input" ... may I turn it to "Passive"As far as I understand it is used for programming of this MCU which is not going to be done on this PCB so it can be easily been left unconnected. This PCB will be used for programming other MCUs.Thank you on your help.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 04:49:15 pm
content: It has been a while so you may have to try: you will need to draw the schematic, with pins and pin designations (1, 2, ...).You will then pick the footprint (soic in your case), and there you will need to make sure that the pins line-up correctly with the pin assignment in the schematic model.After that, just place the schematic model in the schematic and it will transfer the correct footprint and pin assignment to the layout.

author: acosmo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 05:02:47 pm
content: Not sure if I understand this well, but let me explain what happend during making library... maybe it will be answer on your assumption/question.During process of making my own model I did make pins and make footprint, compile and everything was done successfully. But, after that I realized that my pinout is not in correct order like on real MCU so I had to change its order. So I have did it and recompile library, again successfully. After that I have opened my project and within schematic I have updated all library items (from all libraries) and pinout on schematics are updated automatically.So, I think that now pin order is correct.As per instructions I have made PINS (in my component in integrated library) and put designations as well. Designations are numbers (pin numbers) and "Name" is name of that specific pin on MCU. In further, I have looked what kind of contact that specific pin is (Input, IO, Ouput, Power ....) as per datasheet and put that parameter in pin definition while creating schematic model for library.Is there anything to be done on PORTS that I have connected to pins in project's schematic?

author: acosmo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 06:10:05 pm
content: I am in progress.Warning part:For every single port I have defined I had to put the type: Unspecified, Input, Output, Bidirectional. Than part was not finished. Now, I have put all of them, except +5V from USB, and GND, to be Bidirectional Ports. Those two, I mentioned I put as Unspecified and how I don't have warnings about various ports like in my first post.Still looking for solution for PIN 1: Shema.SCHDOC Compiler Net NetIC2_1 contains floating input pins (Pin IC2-1) Shema.SCHDOC Compiler Unconnected Pin IC2-1 at 110,690 Shema.SCHDOC Compiler Net NetIC2_1 has no driving source (Pin IC2-1)