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aargee Senior Member Joined: 21/08/2008 Location: AustraliaPosts: 255
Posted: 07:04pm 03 Nov 2015
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Haven't read the article yet, but it looks interesting and well laid out.
"A cheap programmer for the PIC32"
Same as the PIC programming stuff you've done here Rob? (See I haven't read that either!)
For crying out loud, all I wanted to do was flash this blasted LED.
robert.rozee Guru Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 2447
Posted: 05:11am 04 Nov 2015
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the article is a write-up of one and the same - covering schematic, construction of the hardware (veroboard layout), use of pic32prog and expected output, etc. with the release of new versions of mmbasic i'm hoping it may open up the micromite family to an expanded group of hobbyists who can now more cheaply/easily create a maximite or micromite from a blank PIC32MX device, or upgrade an existing 'mite to the latest firmware that geoff releases.
someone may also wish to create a cheap kit of parts: nano clone, small PCB, resistors, zener, wires, ICSP plug, etc. something that can be posted across the seas in a standard letter-sized envelope. below is a suitable (double-sided) layout for a 2" x 0.7" PCB that would sit below a nano.
cheers,
rob :-)
Edited by robert.rozee 2015-11-05
MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209
Posted: 08:37am 04 Nov 2015
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Congrats!
That solution deserves an article!
Microblocks. Build with logic.
Zonker Guru Joined: 18/08/2012 Location: United StatesPosts: 772
Posted: 01:26pm 04 Nov 2015
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Yep.. I agree with Jean.. The project has taken a good chunk of your time and you remained steadfast that this thing can get the job done, and won't cost the end user $40..! Big tip of the hat is due all around..!
Awesome work Rob..!
paceman Guru Joined: 07/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1329
Posted: 01:08am 05 Nov 2015
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Just read the article Rob and it's well done - you've put a fair bit more technical info in it than many SC articles and explained it well. As Zonker said, you stuck with this for quite a while even when it looked a bit like it might not be a goer, so congratulations and well deserved.
Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9643
Posted: 07:55pm 03 Dec 2015
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With Robert's permission, I post images here of PCB's I will be getting made for his programmer unit. I plan to offer kits for this at very low cost, in the best interests of getting people involved with the MM family of chips.
This PCB is final and has been approved by Robert, so no changes will be made, these images just to show you what it looks like.
Using Shenzshen-2-U PCB service, 100 of these little boards can be had for US$11.90, so 11.9c each. Bundled with a Arduino Nano from eBay and the extra resistors and zener, I expect the final kit price to be about US$7 + P&P, so about US$10 roughly, for full kit including Robert's PCB, the Nano board, all extra parts and airmail postage to anywhere on the planet. This is only about one third the cost of a standard PICkit3 clone.
WhiteWizzard: Do you want to sell these from your side of the planet on your site? If so, PM or email me.Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
viscomjim Guru Joined: 08/01/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 925
Posted: 05:36pm 04 Dec 2015
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Grogster, aka pcbster, NICE work!!!
Robert, my hats off to you sir! This shows what persistence is ALL about! This project is truly awesome! Grabbing this issue of SC to check it out.
Thanks!!!!!
Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9643
Posted: 05:41pm 04 Dec 2015
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I'm quite intrigued myself with this one. An Atmel Arduino, being used to program a Microchip PIC32 IC - a combining of the faiths? Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
robert.rozee Guru Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 2447
Posted: 05:45am 06 Dec 2015
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the enterprise did generate quite a bit of flack, both 'sides' seeing it as absolute heresy - i consulted quite widely on various forums across the web. but i've never been one to take notice of such politics, and proceeded undaunted along what was really the only viable path. the Arduino NANO presented a unique set of properties that were simply not offered by any of the alternatives:
1. ships with a bootloader pre-installed,
2. onboard USB (CH340G),
3. incredibly cheap chinese clones available, iess than us$2.50 delivered to almost anywhere in the world.
if microchip had shipped one of their USB-capable devices with a bootloader pre-losded for just a few dollars, then chances are i'd have used that instead. i did, for a while, persue a design using a PIC16F628 + CP2102, but the cost was too high and the development path too long.
i would still like to see something similar to MicroBlocks' PIC16F1455 design open-sourced, with full support added for the 'ascii ICSP' protocol (ie, including target power control) and built up as a USB dongle.
Notice. New forum software under development. It's going to miss a few functions and look a bit ugly for a while, but I'm working on it full time now as the old forum was too unstable. Couple days, all good. If you notice any issues, please contact me.
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