I would like to try using the tiny boot loader so that I can send out a few pics to buddies that don't have a pickit 3, so that they can do some GCB programming. I am stumped at where to begin implementing the TBL. Is there any step by step reference or noob type guide on how to do this? I checked the manual and did a search but can't find anything. This seems like a brilliant idea and would allow me to help "convert" some of my arduino buddies, just don't know where to start. I want to use the 16F18326. Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated. I do have 0.98 installed and a pickit 3 here. THANKS!
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Guide:
* Take the TBL+ source and Hex I have, I think Bill Roth helped my with this last year. Load the HEX into the chip using PK3. Now put PK3 away. :-)
* Then, using TBL+ software, included in your installation, change makehex to use TBL+ software.
* Then, attach USB/Serial converter, or any alternative, and load your new user program onto the chip.
* Then, smile.
I have chosen specific ports for the TBL+. You can change these but updating the source code for the chip specific ASM. To create a new version of chip specific TBL+ simply compile the ASM using MPLAB-ASM, of ask someone else to do it. :-)
Does this help? Questions?
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Then, using TBL+ software, included in your installation, change makehexFlashPIC.bat to use TBL+ software.
And .... You must use a USB/TTL adapter that brings out and supports either RTS or DTR. This pin on the USB/TTL adapter connects to the MCLRE Pin of the PIC. The MCLR pin needs a 10K pullup at all times and must not be left floating .
Before programming the chip with FlashPic.bat, the TBL application should first be manually opened and configured for: 1) the correct comport, 2) correct baud (115200), and 3), to use either RTS or DTR depending upon what the particular USB/TTL adapter supports.
If your USB/TTL adapter only supports 3.3V I/O levels, then best practice is to also operate the PIC at 3.3V. However, operation should work ok with the USB I/0 at 3.3 and PIC Vdd at 5.0V. Ideally the USB/TTL adapter should support both 5.0V and 3.3V I/O levels.
Last edit: William Roth 2017-10-08
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Thank you both for this info. I want to dive right in so that my arduino buddies can stop bitching that they don't want to buy a pickit 3 just to play, because their precious arduino can "just be plugged into the usb and go". Now we can do that too. Evan, where can I get the bootloader for the 18326? Also, is it available for the 12f1840 and the 16f1825, two of my favorite pics at this moment.
Last edit: viscomjim 2017-10-08
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No.
The xpress board has its own hardware programmer built in.
It uses a new technique that lets the PC see the board as a flash drive.
The same programmer hardware also acts as a usb serial bridge but the target PIC has no bootloader.
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Ahhh! Thats pretty clever. I really like that little express board! Do you know where the tiny bootloader code is, so I can give it a try? My search skills must be failing...
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There are firmwares (hex) available at the TinyBootloader web site for 12F1840 and 16F1825. These are generic bootloader firmwares and may or may not work with the GCB specific piccodes.ini file included with GCB. I tried to make the GCB piccodes.ini file backward compatible when I modified it to accept modern chips. However many files from the TBL site will only work at 19,200 baud instead of the GCB standard of 115200.
The Express Boards have a built-in "Programmer" rather than using a booltloader on the target chip.
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If you will send me you email address via Private Message, I can provide you with hex files (bootloaders) for 12F1840 and 16F1825 that are optimized for GCB and will operate at 115200. It will take me a few days to modify/write the ASM for these and test on actual chips.
Evan can send you the hex bootloader for 16F18346.
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I would like to try using the tiny boot loader so that I can send out a few pics to buddies that don't have a pickit 3, so that they can do some GCB programming. I am stumped at where to begin implementing the TBL. Is there any step by step reference or noob type guide on how to do this? I checked the manual and did a search but can't find anything. This seems like a brilliant idea and would allow me to help "convert" some of my arduino buddies, just don't know where to start. I want to use the 16F18326. Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated. I do have 0.98 installed and a pickit 3 here. THANKS!
You are lucky. I have TBL+ for the 16F18326.
Guide:
* Take the TBL+ source and Hex I have, I think Bill Roth helped my with this last year. Load the HEX into the chip using PK3. Now put PK3 away. :-)
* Then, using TBL+ software, included in your installation, change makehex to use TBL+ software.
* Then, attach USB/Serial converter, or any alternative, and load your new user program onto the chip.
* Then, smile.
I have chosen specific ports for the TBL+. You can change these but updating the source code for the chip specific ASM. To create a new version of chip specific TBL+ simply compile the ASM using MPLAB-ASM, of ask someone else to do it. :-)
Does this help? Questions?
I think Evan meant to say ....
And .... You must use a USB/TTL adapter that brings out and supports either RTS or DTR. This pin on the USB/TTL adapter connects to the MCLRE Pin of the PIC. The MCLR pin needs a 10K pullup at all times and must not be left floating .
Before programming the chip with FlashPic.bat, the TBL application should first be manually opened and configured for: 1) the correct comport, 2) correct baud (115200), and 3), to use either RTS or DTR depending upon what the particular USB/TTL adapter supports.
If your USB/TTL adapter only supports 3.3V I/O levels, then best practice is to also operate the PIC at 3.3V. However, operation should work ok with the USB I/0 at 3.3 and PIC Vdd at 5.0V. Ideally the USB/TTL adapter should support both 5.0V and 3.3V I/O levels.
Last edit: William Roth 2017-10-08
Thank you both for this info. I want to dive right in so that my arduino buddies can stop bitching that they don't want to buy a pickit 3 just to play, because their precious arduino can "just be plugged into the usb and go". Now we can do that too. Evan, where can I get the bootloader for the 18326? Also, is it available for the 12f1840 and the 16f1825, two of my favorite pics at this moment.
Last edit: viscomjim 2017-10-08
One more question, is this how the xpress evaluation board works, with a boot loader for the usb?
No.
The xpress board has its own hardware programmer built in.
It uses a new technique that lets the PC see the board as a flash drive.
The same programmer hardware also acts as a usb serial bridge but the target PIC has no bootloader.
Ahhh! Thats pretty clever. I really like that little express board! Do you know where the tiny bootloader code is, so I can give it a try? My search skills must be failing...
There are firmwares (hex) available at the TinyBootloader web site for 12F1840 and 16F1825. These are generic bootloader firmwares and may or may not work with the GCB specific piccodes.ini file included with GCB. I tried to make the GCB piccodes.ini file backward compatible when I modified it to accept modern chips. However many files from the TBL site will only work at 19,200 baud instead of the GCB standard of 115200.
The Express Boards have a built-in "Programmer" rather than using a booltloader on the target chip.
If you will send me you email address via Private Message, I can provide you with hex files (bootloaders) for 12F1840 and 16F1825 that are optimized for GCB and will operate at 115200. It will take me a few days to modify/write the ASM for these and test on actual chips.
Evan can send you the hex bootloader for 16F18346.
With the price of 10 to 15 dollars for a pickit3, seems the easy way, and support of a whole range of pics your friends transition to GCB would be a lot easyer and smoother.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PICkit3-PIC-KIT3-Debugger-Programmer-Emulator-PIC-Controller-Development-board-/361369962637?epid=2134769214&hash=item542354088d:g:bWkAAOSw~gRV1TQ4
That's what I do Paul.
However, Jim seems to be dealing with Arduino fanboys, in which case they may need to be weaned slowly.