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matherp
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Joined: 11/12/2012
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Posted: 09:22am 02 Feb 2015

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Default boot speed is 40MHz

sagt3k

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Joined: 01/02/2015
Location: Italy
Posts: 313

Posted: 10:03am 02 Feb 2015

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Hello everyone
We should ask to Geoff if, with new PIC32 @100Mhz with 64PIN or 100pin + MkII firmware, if could put the logic for manage uSD in HW and SW level. It would be very useful to save files and upload pieces of code or as a data logger.
Thanks

WhiteWizzard
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Joined: 05/04/2013
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Posted: 11:14am 02 Feb 2015

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Hi sagt3k,

Take a look a Geoff's last post:

Quote Without making any promises my intention is to eventually implement USB and a SD card interface on these chips. I have the code from the Maximite series but the Micromite code has diverged enough that integrating these two features back in will be a big job.

So, it is on the radar but no ETA and no promises.

I am sure you will get your wish one day . . . .

In the meantime, have you considered a MaxiMite? This can be uploaded to a new firmware (albeit without CFunctions and the v4.6 only features), but at least you have an SD interface.
If desperate, then try writing to a uSD module with SPI

sagt3k

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Joined: 01/02/2015
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Posted: 12:08pm 02 Feb 2015

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Hi WhiteWizzard
Thanks, I had not noticed the post of Geoff. My doubt is whether if maximite firmware 4.5 will be followed. Because if not it is more interesting to develop new HW ideas on the new firmware micromite MkII, then understand the pinouts for the next developments 64/100pins.
Thanks
Sagt3k

Grogster

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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 9610

Posted: 01:35pm 02 Feb 2015

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Hi sagt3k - google for OpenLOG and/or ALFAT modules. OpenLOG is a cheap and very easy to drive module for logging to a uSD card. ALFAT is a much more advanced complete filesystem module, that even has licensed long-filename support if you want that.

EDIT: Here are the links, to save you time.

OpenLOG module

ALFAT complete filesystem module

Edited by Grogster 2015-02-03

Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!

WhiteWizzard
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Posted: 03:05pm 02 Feb 2015

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@matherp

What is the maximum TOTAL current that can be sourced/sinked on the MX470? I just cannot find a figure in the data sheet (although my eyes are very tired now!)

I see a digital I/O pin has a maximum of 15mA, but with all 78 digital outputs on then thats a rather big 1.17A

.

Curious to know the package maximum current capabilities if anyone can help . . . .

TassyJim

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Joined: 07/08/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 6283

Posted: 03:33pm 02 Feb 2015

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It didn't take me long to succumb.

I was placing an order with Element14 for a new Pi2 so I added a PIC32MX470F512 64pinner to the order.
The chip is coming from UK so it will be here in a week or so and I already had suitable PCB's on the slow boat.

I had better get outside and gain a few brownie points with the BOSS now...

Jim

VK7JH
MMedit

panky

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Joined: 02/10/2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1114

Posted: 06:54pm 02 Feb 2015

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Peter,

Would you please include me in the beta test programme

I think the 470 would make the perfect crossover between micro and maxi - eg.
28 pin 170 for embedded/uctrlr applications,
64 pin 470 for high power embedded or minimal microcomputer,
100 pin mz series for colour/pi competitor(a not unreasonable alternative taking cfunctions and other unique MM features into account).

All running Geoff's terrific MMBasic - this would simplify Geoff's code maintenance problems yet still offer a wide range of hardware options. We need to be carefull not to dilute the progress of this great package by trying to be all things to everyone

Grogster, please put me down for a couple of your 470 carrier boards - will pm details.

Doug.

... almost all of the Maximites, the MicromMites, the MM Extremes, the ArmMites, the PicoMite and loving it!

matherp
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Joined: 11/12/2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 10315

Posted: 10:37pm 02 Feb 2015

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Quote What is the maximum TOTAL current that can be sourced/sinked on the MX470?

Page 271, section 30.0 of the Datasheet

WhiteWizzard
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Posts: 2944

Posted: 11:38pm 02 Feb 2015

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OK. So from Page 271:

Maximum output current sourced/sunk by any 4x I/O pin................15 mA
Maximum output current sourced/sunk by any 8x I/O pin................25 mA
Maximum current sunk/sourced by all ports ...........................150 mA

Fully understand the last line (150mA total); but what are they meaning by the other two lines?

i.e. If I have 8 LEDs connected to digital outputs (and assume 10mA to turn each one on), then the first line
in their spec above implies I can't have more than one on! And the second line implies I can't have more than two on?

Is this usual MicroChip 'speak' or am I missing something here!

Put it another way, if I have 78 LEDs connected to the 78 digital outputs from a 100pinner, how many can I turn on at once (still assuming 10mA for each to turn on). I will go with 15 but then what do the first to lines relate to in the above???

WhiteWizzard
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Posted: 12:00am 03 Feb 2015

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Looks like Raspberry Pi is trying to keep up with the MicroMite with the new release of a Pi 2

JohnS
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Joined: 18/11/2011
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Posted: 12:09am 03 Feb 2015

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WhiteWizzard said Is this usual MicroChip 'speak' or am I missing something here!

WW

You are - see a bit later on. Search for
8x
in the data sheet and it defines the pins that are 8x ones as well as what are 4x.

It's a bit ugly!!

Stick to 9mA rather than 10mA for the LEDs...

John

matherp
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Joined: 11/12/2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 10315

Posted: 12:11am 03 Feb 2015

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Page 280 explains which pins are type 4x and which are 8x.

So the answer is 15. Of course if you use 3ma low current LEDs the answer would be 50!

JohnS
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Joined: 18/11/2011
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Posted: 01:12am 03 Feb 2015

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WhiteWizzard said Looks like Raspberry Pi is trying to keep up with the MicroMite with the new release of a Pi 2

LOL 900MHz, 1GB RAM, quad-core CPU

$35

�22.85 from RS, free delivery

JohnEdited by JohnS 2015-02-04

matherp
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Joined: 11/12/2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 10315

Posted: 03:41am 06 Feb 2015

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Firmware version 4.6++b4 has now been released. Beta testers, please check your spam folder if you haven't received it.

This is now tested to work properly on both the 100-pin and 64-pin versions of the PIC32MX470F512 chips.

If anyone else wants to help with the testing please send me a PM

WhiteWizzard
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Joined: 05/04/2013
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Posted: 03:51am 06 Feb 2015

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matherp said Firmware version 4.6++b4 has now been released.

Am loading it up straight away - Thanks for this continued work - Brilliant stuff

robert.rozee
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Joined: 31/12/2012
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Posts: 2442

Posted: 05:48am 06 Feb 2015

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JohnS said

WhiteWizzard said Looks like Raspberry Pi is trying to keep up with the MicroMite with the new release of a Pi 2

LOL 900MHz, 1GB RAM, quad-core CPU

$35
�22.85 from RS, free delivery

even cheaper (and more remarkable in my opinion) is the model A+ for us$20 / approx �12 / nz$30 delivered from ebay. on price and most features this beats all the maximite variants by quite a margin.

for those who don't know, the A+ only has one USB port and no ethernet. on all the model B versions (B, B+, 2B+) the external USB ports and ethernet are all controlled by an extra hub chip, which is itself just driven off the processor's single USB port. this single port is the one exposed on the A+.

what i find particularly interesting about the RPi A+ is that it only draws around 200mA @ 5v. i believe this is quite comparable to the current drawn by a colour maximite. the maximite does win on the number of I/O pins available, but then a micromite (or two) can act as a pretty comprehensive I/O expander over the RPi's I2C bus.

a couple of additions to the RPi that would be useful would be drivers to implement PS/2 keyboard and mouse over the expansion bus. one could then create a maximite look-a-like system with a single free USB port available on the side of the box.

rob :-)

MicroBlocks

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Joined: 12/05/2012
Location: Thailand
Posts: 2209

Posted: 06:02am 06 Feb 2015

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If i could startup a Pi without all that Linux sh*t then it would be my first choice.
No intention to learn all that stuff that is in the way in the first place.

But alas it is not meant to be used as an embedded system, more a general use pc.
It is a pity.

Microblocks. Build with logic.

JohnS
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Joined: 18/11/2011
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 4044

Posted: 06:07am 06 Feb 2015

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Since several non-Linux OSes are available clearly you CAN start it up without the stuff you don't like.

I like Linux and also it's easy enough to bypass if you wish (as I did with the PIC32 programmer for the RPi, which bit bangs ICSP).

John

WhiteWizzard
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Joined: 05/04/2013
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2944

Posted: 06:44am 06 Feb 2015

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Perhaps I should start a new thread, but, why does the Pi take soooooo long to startup with all that Linux garbage when the processor is that fast?

If it can be bypassed, why don't they? I agree with TZA, no intention to learn all the things required in the most 'complex' syntax ever when you can just power up a MM and begin coding in under 1 second.

Now for the 'fall out' . . . . . .

All said, I am playing with a Pi as we speak

(teaching my kids Scratch)

WW

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