Mikebits
Well-Known Member
Back when I worked in the electronics industry (15 years now), when I did a hardware design using a processor, I would just plop a uP on a schematic, ensure all the hardware design was correct, and then just hand-off the completed design to a software person.
Well, now I find myself in the position where I am working on a board design, but this time I have to worry about the code myself, and I am getting that thousand yard stair one gets after sifting through the multitudes of information concerning the software aspect of a microcontroller design. Now I have the basic idea of what I need to do, but then again I am getting overwhelmed by some of what I need to do, or will need to do.
So, my first step was to decide on a device, I decided on Microchip as they seem popular. Then I thought about what I want my design to do.
Graphics display with touch switch, some analog sensor inputs, USB interface, flash, and a few other features. Well, since I am developing a prototype and will want all the Up power I would need (keep in mind I was not sure what I would need at this time), I thought I would start with a big device and could scale down after I had the prototype worked out. So the 64 pin PIC24FJ256GB110 had everything I needed.
At this point, and I am working to actually get this prototype a functioning unit soon, wanted to get the software tools I would need to develop functioning code. The PIC24 starter kit development board looked like a good prospect as it had everything I needed, the GB110 PIC, OLED display, touch interface, and so on. So I figured this would be a good platform to develop and learn the libraries. I should mention at this point, my code writing experience is limited to a 1 semester class at a Junior college in C++ language.
I got the starter kit, powered it up and yay it works. Now I am at the realization of all the overwhelming and thousands of pages of users manuals and library manuals I need to read, ughh.
That's one issue, here is my other and more concerning at this point. As I was putting my schematic design together, I realized how much I over estimated my I/O needs and the PIC24FJ128GB110 is really overkill. I realized I could probably get away with the PIC24FJGB204 which is a 44 pin part and probably a better choice. Here is the problem, my Starter Kit development board, came with Mplab 8.31 IDE, and the order sheet said it came with a XC16 compiler, but what I got is C30 compiler and for this know nothing guy I would not care, only thing is, it does not support the GB204 part.
I looked on the web, and and found a download for a XC16 compiler free edition, but can I run the install using my current IDE, and also, will it mess up the C30 compiler, or can I have both, cause I still want to be able to use all the sample code I got with the PIC24 starter kit. Second, If I go with the GB204 part, I will need a development board like the Explorer 16 (I think), as it supports both of the PIC parts I mentioned above and I just need different daughter cards. Have any of you used the explorer? I am mostly concerned with using it for this project, and really don't care if I can't program all kinds of parts like a PICKIT. So with all that said and all my questions, anyone have any input/recommendations? and thanks. I am sure I will have many more questions.
Well, now I find myself in the position where I am working on a board design, but this time I have to worry about the code myself, and I am getting that thousand yard stair one gets after sifting through the multitudes of information concerning the software aspect of a microcontroller design. Now I have the basic idea of what I need to do, but then again I am getting overwhelmed by some of what I need to do, or will need to do.
So, my first step was to decide on a device, I decided on Microchip as they seem popular. Then I thought about what I want my design to do.
Graphics display with touch switch, some analog sensor inputs, USB interface, flash, and a few other features. Well, since I am developing a prototype and will want all the Up power I would need (keep in mind I was not sure what I would need at this time), I thought I would start with a big device and could scale down after I had the prototype worked out. So the 64 pin PIC24FJ256GB110 had everything I needed.
At this point, and I am working to actually get this prototype a functioning unit soon, wanted to get the software tools I would need to develop functioning code. The PIC24 starter kit development board looked like a good prospect as it had everything I needed, the GB110 PIC, OLED display, touch interface, and so on. So I figured this would be a good platform to develop and learn the libraries. I should mention at this point, my code writing experience is limited to a 1 semester class at a Junior college in C++ language.
I got the starter kit, powered it up and yay it works. Now I am at the realization of all the overwhelming and thousands of pages of users manuals and library manuals I need to read, ughh.
That's one issue, here is my other and more concerning at this point. As I was putting my schematic design together, I realized how much I over estimated my I/O needs and the PIC24FJ128GB110 is really overkill. I realized I could probably get away with the PIC24FJGB204 which is a 44 pin part and probably a better choice. Here is the problem, my Starter Kit development board, came with Mplab 8.31 IDE, and the order sheet said it came with a XC16 compiler, but what I got is C30 compiler and for this know nothing guy I would not care, only thing is, it does not support the GB204 part.
I looked on the web, and and found a download for a XC16 compiler free edition, but can I run the install using my current IDE, and also, will it mess up the C30 compiler, or can I have both, cause I still want to be able to use all the sample code I got with the PIC24 starter kit. Second, If I go with the GB204 part, I will need a development board like the Explorer 16 (I think), as it supports both of the PIC parts I mentioned above and I just need different daughter cards. Have any of you used the explorer? I am mostly concerned with using it for this project, and really don't care if I can't program all kinds of parts like a PICKIT. So with all that said and all my questions, anyone have any input/recommendations? and thanks. I am sure I will have many more questions.
