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f1fco

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Joined: 18/03/2012
Location: France
Posts: 155

Posted: 11:32am 31 Aug 2014

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hello to all,
I order and I receive from Micochip Direct 2 pieces of PIC32MX170F256D-50I/PT

is it possible to use it in a MicroMite in place of PIC32MX150 ?
with more memory...
what HEX file for it ? is it possible to compile the source of MMBASIC for this PIC32MX170 ?
thanks to Geoff

Pierre, south of France

73s de F1FCO

G8JCF

Guru

Joined: 15/05/2014
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 676

Posted: 12:37pm 31 Aug 2014

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Hi Pierre

You can certainly load the existing 4.5 uMIte .HEX file into a 170F but you will get no more memory until Geoff generates a new uMite MMBasic .HEX file specifically for the 170F which I understand he is creating/going to create.

So kep those 170F's on ice until then

73

Peter

The only Konstant is Change

f1fco

Senior Member

Joined: 18/03/2012
Location: France
Posts: 155

Posted: 08:05pm 31 Aug 2014

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hello Geoff,
can you help me with a "special" version of MMBasic HEX file re-compiled for a PIC32MX170F256D-50I/PT ? (44 pins)

thank you VERY much

Pierre

73s de F1FCO

WhiteWizzard
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Joined: 05/04/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2927

Posted: 09:10pm 31 Aug 2014

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Hi Pierre,

Geoff is fully aware of the MX170 file requirement and will release a .hex file when he is ready to do so.

For now, you can simply use the 150 .hex file (for the 44-pin) and everything works exactly like it runs on a 150.

As Peter says, you will not get the benefits of the additional memory BUT at least you are able to currently buy the MX170 for use in your project(s) without having to wait for MicroChip to produce more for the global market!

If you have any more questions regarding the MX170 then feel free to ask. I am using them on my 44-pin Module without any issue.

Geoffg

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Joined: 06/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 3272

Posted: 04:59pm 01 Sep 2014

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This has turned out to be more complex than I first thought it would be.

Firstly, I had used my sample MX170 chips in another project and when I went to order more Microchip quoted me a lead time in months. However, WhiteWizard came to my rescue and sent me one of his 44-pin modules with a MX170 installed.

Then, when I went to build MMBasic for the MX170, I found that Microchip have not released the MLA library for the MX170. I won't go into the details but MMBasic makes extensive use of the MLA library and now Microchip expect you to completely rewrite the firmware to use their Harmony library instead.

Harmony has a huge number of issues and you can read my rant on this subject here:
http://www.thebackshed.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6555

Anyway, by modifying the compiler installation I have fooled it into building MMBasic for the MX170 while using the MX150 MLA library (the chips are identical except for the greater memory capacity).

You can download the new version from this thread:
http://www.thebackshed.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6902&PN =1&TPN=1

GeoffEdited by Geoffg 2014-09-03

Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net

f1fco

Senior Member

Joined: 18/03/2012
Location: France
Posts: 155

Posted: 08:22pm 01 Sep 2014

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hello Geoff,
merci beaucoup (my english is bad)

a lot of THANK YOU

Pierre, city of Nimes, south of France

73s de F1FCO

G8JCF

Guru

Joined: 15/05/2014
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 676

Posted: 03:36pm 02 Sep 2014

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Hi Pierre

When I lived in Brussels we used to say "Merci Bien", was that a Belgium French variation on "Merci Beacoup" ? (I was taught 'Merci Beaucoup' at school)

Merci Bien

Peter

The only Konstant is Change

WhiteWizzard
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Joined: 05/04/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2927

Posted: 10:34am 04 Sep 2014

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I have been using a MX170D (with MMBasic 4.5D) for the last few days now and can say that it has been really fantastic to use - and absolutely no issues whatsoever to report. Nice work Geoff on 4.5D

However, there seems to be another global shortage of these chips on the way (probably not helped by me ordering a large volume

). Anyway, for anyone interested in securing either a 28-pin or a 44-pin MX170 then this is to let you know that I am now in a position to offer these at MicroMite.org (pre-programmed with v4.5D).

I have had many emails asking about the MX170 being installed on the 44-pin MicroMite Module. I will begin shipping these with MX170's installed as soon as I have the next batch of PCBs from the fabricators (due in about 2 weeks time). For everyone that has placed back-orders for the various MX170 modules then I can now reassure you all that I have secured all the PIC32MX170s required.

Anyone wanting a MX150? I still have a few left in stock. However, with over double the memory capacity, I recommend migrating to the MX170 for all new designs.

WW

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