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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : I made a balls-up....
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Grogster![]() Admin Group ![]() Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9585 |
Curses! ![]() I have just finished building my latest uM powered PCB thing, then realised that I had not allowed for the console - I know, I know....should have been one of the first things you design in, and it usually is, but....... ![]() As the board uses SOIC chips rather then DIL, I was going to hack the PCB, but then I seem to remember someone here saying you could combine the code with MMBASIC, and program the whole thing in one go. I THINK this worked along the lines that you need a Micromite and a running program, and you read that out of the PIC32 into a file, program that back in via IPE and a blank PIC32, and I should then have the wanted code along with MMBASIC, correct? ...or perhaps I was dreaming at the time... Assuming I was not dreaming, and you CAN do that, naturally I would need to develop the code on another Micromite, then when I was happy with that, use IPE to read the entire PIC32, then connect my PCB with the SOIC chip and program THAT with the code and MMBASIC read from the development PIC32. And yes - I have already changed the layout, so when I get more boards, the console is accessible. ![]() Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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WhiteWizzard Guru ![]() Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2931 |
I think you're saying you have the ICSP connections on the SOIC? Correct? Not 100% sure about sending code via it - would be interesting to hear about your 'dream' being a reality! Anyway, why not just solder 2 thin wires onto pins 11 & 12 and pick up a ground from somewhere 'easy'. then you have your console back?? WW |
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MicroBlocks![]() Guru ![]() Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
Indeed you can 'read' a uMite and have all the contents of the flash. Any uMite programmed with this will have the saved variables, options and of course the basic program. If you set the autostart option on the uMite you read from then it would run directly ater power up. Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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Grogster![]() Admin Group ![]() Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9585 |
Correct. Exactly what I was thinking by my comment on "Hacking" the PCB. ![]() That is easy enough, but looks ugly. Then I seem to remember posts by someone here(appologies - I forget exactly which memeber) that you could read and program a pre-configured Micromite like that. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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Grogster![]() Admin Group ![]() Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9585 |
Thanks for confirmation - I will do it this way, to avoid having to make a visually unpleasing PCB hack. ...still amazed that I forgot the console connections. Have never done that before - must have been a blonde moment, so to speak. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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TassyJim![]() Guru ![]() Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6266 |
How about a small board with 3 pins. You sit the board over the CPU and the pins contact the required terminals. With only three pins needed, you shouldn't have to worry about spring-loaded pins. Jim VK7JH MMedit |
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MicroBlocks![]() Guru ![]() Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
For programming SOIC chips without having to solder them I use a SOIC test clip. They are expensive but worth their money if you used them often enough. When chips are soldered on a PCB it is very easy to use them. Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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Grogster![]() Admin Group ![]() Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9585 |
I've been a bit cheeky and just soldered thin wires on to pins 11 and 12, and a nearby ground. This gets me into the console, and once programmed, I won't(read: shouldn't!) need access again, as the program is simple. Once programmed and working, I will unsolder the wires. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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WhiteWizzard Guru ![]() Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2931 |
The last time I made this mistake I soldered thin wires on and put a blob of hot-glue at the MicroMite end. The other end I soldered a female connector (to accept a USB-to-Serial module). However, I left this in place in the enclosure simply wrapped in a bit of insulation tape - and I'm so glad I did that as I did need to access it once again! So my point is - if space allows, leave it wired in place; just in case . . . WW |
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