TheBackShed.com

Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : MicroMite firmware on a PIC32MX

Author

Message

pwillard
Guru

Joined: 07/06/2022
Location: United States
Posts: 313

Posted: 06:48pm 11 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

So, for some reason eons ago, maybe as long ago as 2014 when the original SiliconChip/EPE articles on Micromite, I got me a PIC32MX170F256... but honestly... until now I haven't tried to program one.

And wow... am I ever hit with a learning curve. �I just wanted to program the HEX file... but it seems I need to A) Build the workshop, B) Buy the tools (pickit3) C) Learn the lingo (Still nowhere on that) D) get the languages (says I needed a related language installed) E) find the "family packs" (which seem to be unobtanium)... all to just upload a HEX file. �

So, this might be my fault for using stuff I had already downloaded (MPLAB 5.50) a while back... but still... am I off the rails here?

Indeed, I must be doing it all wrong because after installing a bunch of things and plugging things up, I see the PICkit programmer and it says useful stuff like "Unable to locate DFP for the selected device. Please install the required packages using the Pack Manager in MPLAB X IDE."

And now I must admit defeat. �I can't seem to resolve that DFP issue.
Edited 2022-07-12 04:49 by pwillard

Tinine
Guru

Joined: 30/03/2016
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1646

Posted: 07:14pm 11 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

In spite of the huge package, I found it very straightforward except for the fact that I followed a recommendation for a clone PICkit. Lots of folk have had good luck with the clones but I got suspicious when mine reported "success" whether connected or disconnected

I bit the bullet and purchased a genuine PICkit-4 and then it was easy.

Craig

Volhout
Guru

Joined: 05/03/2018
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 5089

Posted: 07:32pm 11 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

There is an alternative...

https://geoffg.net/microbridge.html

Volhout

PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS

pwillard
Guru

Joined: 07/06/2022
Location: United States
Posts: 313

Posted: 07:47pm 11 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

I kind of wish that wasn't such a chicken/egg problem Volhout since

Quote Availability: Out of stock

...seems to be the problem everywhere.

CaptainBoing

Guru

Joined: 07/09/2016
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2170

Posted: 08:30pm 11 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Volhout beat me to it - do investigate the microbridge he linked.

pwillard
Guru

Joined: 07/06/2022
Location: United States
Posts: 313

Posted: 08:55pm 11 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Well, I do already have the PICkit3...

...and I persisted in installing a whole bunch of "what looked like the right LEGO pieces" until MPLAP IPE v5.50 quit complaining...

So we will see...

EONS ago I migrated away from PIC to use AVR's exclusively... so my last PIC programming involved devices like PIC16F84A's. Those days were much simpler... so was PIC programming.
Edited 2022-07-12 06:58 by pwillard

TassyJim

Guru

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

Posted: 09:20pm 11 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

If you have an Arduino nano lying about, there is always picProg32.exe as a much simpler programmer.

For a Gui wrapper for picProg32, have a look at MMFlash
https://www.c-com.com.au/MMedit.htm
There are a few option re what to use to do the programming.
The zip includes instructions.

Jim

VK7JH
MMedit

palcal

Guru

Joined: 12/10/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1993

Posted: 09:25pm 11 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

@ pwillard.... I have a Micromite Backpack V2 here I can send you,minus the PIC and Display. It has a programmed microbridge onboard. See Here
Only problem is I am in OZ so it may be sometime before you get it.PM me if interested.
Edited 2022-07-12 07:26 by palcal

"It is better to be ignorant and ask a stupid question than to be plain Stupid and not ask at all"

phil99

Guru

Joined: 11/02/2018
Location: Australia
Posts: 2640

Posted: 10:47pm 11 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

"If you have an Arduino nano lying about, there is always picProg32.exe as a much simpler programmer.
For a Gui wrapper for picProg32, have a look at MMFlash"

I can highly recommend the above programs.
You don't even need the Arduino IDE, as long as the Nano has a bootloader Pic32prog will load programmer firmware (built in to Pic32prog) directly to a blank Nano and then you can upload your HEX file to the Pic32.
The only extra hardware is a few resistors and a 3.3V zenner to power the Pic32 during programming. Even that is optional as the Nano has a regulated 3.3V output that you can manually connect to the Pic32 before starting the upload.

A breadboard and some Dupont wires is all you need.
Visit TassyJim's site, it's all there.
Edited 2022-07-12 08:56 by phil99

pwillard
Guru

Joined: 07/06/2022
Location: United States
Posts: 313

Posted: 11:23pm 11 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Quote picProg32

Now, this is why this place is such a goldmine of good info. �I never would have found this... �Looks interesting.

Nanos? Yeah, I've got nano. I realize that the PIC32MX-based mites are kind of old-school now, but it doesn't mean I don't want to mess with one (or two).

And I'm still struggling with the "behemoth" from Microchip that I will unlikely make use of.
Edited 2022-07-12 09:39 by pwillard

PeterB
Guru

Joined: 05/02/2015
Location: Australia
Posts: 655

Posted: 11:50pm 11 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

G'Day All

A while back and after not using pic32prog for some time and having problems a request for help provided this vital bit of info.

ensure that "pic32prog.exe" and "P32P GUI.exe" are both in the same folder, along with any .hex firmware file you wish to upload to your pic32.

It's people like PeterM who make life fun.

Peter(B)

robert.rozee
Guru

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2442

Posted: 02:42am 12 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

construction guide (using nano) here:
https://www.thebackshed.com/docregister/ViewDoc.asp?DocID=19

win32 GUI front-end here:
https://www.thebackshed.com/docregister/ViewDoc.asp?DocID=21

pic32prog github page here:
https://github.com/sergev/pic32prog

pre-compiled win32 pic32prog.exe here:
https://github.com/sergev/pic32prog/blob/master/pic32prog.exe?raw=true

cheers,
rob :-)

PeterB
Guru

Joined: 05/02/2015
Location: Australia
Posts: 655

Posted: 02:58am 12 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Sorry Rob

I gave credit to the wrong bloke.

Peter(B)

pwillard
Guru

Joined: 07/06/2022
Location: United States
Posts: 313

Posted: 11:57am 12 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Excellent... all the stuff I need to get back in touch with PIC stuff. Thanks

robert.rozee
Guru

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2442

Posted: 12:09pm 12 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

PeterB said Sorry Rob
I gave credit to the wrong bloke.
Peter(B)

no worries. Peter(M) took the arduino nano code, and combined it with M-Stack (https://github.com/signal11/m-stack) to give us a solution in a single 14-pin DIP or SOIC package. this then opened up the pathway for the E-28 to be developed, as well as versions of the E-64 and E-100 without needing to rely upon the pic32's less-than-awe-inspiring onboard USB. And of course a revision of Geoff's MX170 'backpack' that Silicon Chip Magazine and others have used as a basis for various projects.

just a shame no one can get hold of pic32MX chips at the moment

cheers,
rob :-)

Tinine
Guru

Joined: 30/03/2016
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1646

Posted: 01:53pm 12 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

A few MX170s here

Craig

pwillard
Guru

Joined: 07/06/2022
Location: United States
Posts: 313

Posted: 02:01pm 12 Jul 2022

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Yeah, I was just able to buy a few more 32MX170F256 from Mouser.

Print this page

To reply to this topic, you need to log in.