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rogersan
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Joined: 10/04/2015
Location: Australia
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Posted: 07:47pm 09 Apr 2016

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I have programmed 3 X 28 pin Micromite v5.1 using the Arduino Nano (Silicon Chip Nov 2015). The hex file is micromite_5.1.hex from Geoff's website. Programming each microprocessor took about 4 minutes and there were no error messages.

I cannot get a prompt back from any of these Micromites. The Console Tx is not going high as it should when it is idle. It does not seem to be programmed as an output.

Is there a problem with V5.1?

robert.rozee
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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2428

Posted: 08:08pm 09 Apr 2016

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are the chips you are programming MX170 devices, not MX150's? i've had no problems with the 5.1 firmware myself, but it only works on th MX170. naturally, i'm using an arduino nano based programmer, one of grogster's excellent kits:
http://www.rictech.nz/pages/5/Products

cheers,
rob :-)

rogersan
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Posted: 08:12pm 09 Apr 2016

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I have found that you have to have the LCD Display connected for the Console Tx (pin 11) to be set as an output. The v5.1 must check for an LCD Display before setting up the serial console port.

However I still cannot get any prompt back from the Micromite, the console Tx (pin 11) is still not sending any data.

rogersan
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Posted: 08:30pm 09 Apr 2016

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Is it possible that I have screwed up the LCD Display so that the Micromite cannot initialise it, so the Micromite is hanging and cannot reply via the Console Tx.

I did enter the OPTION LCDPANEL a second time, perhaps this is enough to muck up the panel.

robert.rozee
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Posted: 08:37pm 09 Apr 2016

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can you completely disconnect the LCD?

rogersan
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Posted: 11:08pm 09 Apr 2016

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If I disconnect the LCD Display the console still does not work, pin 11 does not get setup as an output so it cannot work. I think the setup does not proceed unless a display is detected.

robert.rozee
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Posted: 11:12pm 09 Apr 2016

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now try reprogramming the MX170. if possible, capture the output from pic32prog and post it here.

rogersan
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Location: Australia
Posts: 79

Posted: 12:16am 10 Apr 2016

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I do not know how to send the contents of a command window. I have photographed it on my IPad but it seems to be too large to attach. I could send the photo directly to you if I get your email address.

robert.rozee
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Posted: 01:15am 10 Apr 2016

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screenshot received. everything looks pretty much in order, and you are using exactly the same version of micromite basic as i am programming into MX170 chips here.

next, can you check a few things:

1. that there is a 10k pullup resistor connected from pin 1 (MCLR) to pin 13 (3v3) on the processor. check the resistance at the IC socket using a multimeter if possible.

2. that there is a 10uF or thereabouts capacitor between pins 19 and 20. if the capacitor is polarized, make sure the + end is towards pin 20.

3. that all pins on the processor chip IC socket are soldered.

4. that the writing on top of the processor reads "MX170F256B".

5. that when power is applied, there is approximately 3.3 volts between pins 8 and 13 on the processor. pin 8 is -ve, pin 13 is +ve.

cheers,
rob :-)

rogersan
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Joined: 10/04/2015
Location: Australia
Posts: 79

Posted: 11:06am 10 Apr 2016

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I double checked all connections. When I put a capacitance meter between pins 19 and 20, I found an intermittant connection to the 47 mF ceramic surface mount capacitor. I resoldered it and added extra solder and it is now working again. It did appear visually to be soldered properly before.

Thanks for all your help.

Roger Sanderson

robert.rozee
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Posted: 05:23pm 10 Apr 2016

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that capacitor does seem to be the root of all evil - time and again a whole variety of problems keep getting traced back to it. i've never had problems with it myself, but so many other folks have.

btw, would you mind posting a photo of your programmer (arduino nano setup) online? it is nice to see that folks are using this method of uploading firmware.

cheers,
rob :-)

rogersan
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Joined: 10/04/2015
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Posts: 79

Posted: 04:02am 15 Apr 2016

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Here is a photo of my programmer using the Aduino Nano.

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