PIC184520 USART Lab - Virtual Terminal

[leovivaldi]

Hi,
I am using the PIC18F4520 on Proteus 8. I want to use the USART to display the 'U' character all the time on the virtual terminal.
The baud rate is 19200 and I changed it on the virtual terminal as it was displaying wrong characters to baud rate set as 9600 (default).
I am getting 4 dashes at a time ----- instead of Us. See attached.

Can you help and explain why I am getting this? Or give a hint or point to the part in the source code that is causing it to do this?

The source code is:


#pragma config OSC = HS //set Osc mode to HS high speed clock
#pragma config WDT = OFF // set watchdog timer off
#pragma config LVP = OFF // Low Voltage Programming Off
#pragma config DEBUG = OFF // Compile without extra Debug compile Code
// Include Files

#include <p18f4520.h> // Device used is the PICF4520
#include <delays.h> // Include delays headers


void main (void)
{
TXSTA = 0x24;// Select high baud rate, 8 bit
SPBRG = 64;// 19200 bps, 20MHz clock
TXSTAbits.TXEN = 1;// Transmit enable
RCSTAbits.SPEN = 1; // Enable serial port
while(1){
while (PIR1bits.TXIF == 0) {;} // Wait until Peripheral Interrupt Request Register Transmit Flag is set // (transmit complete, TXREG empty)
TXREG = 'U';
Delay10KTCYx(50);
}
}

 

[Pommie]

Either BRG16 (BAUDCON) is getting set or your clock isn't 20MHz.

Mike.

 

[leovivaldi]

Hi Mike. Thanks for your reply. This is making me pull my hair.
How do you check which one of these scenarios is causing this?

 

[Pommie]

First do a blinking led to check if it's running at 20MHz and maybe use a scope to check the RS232. Also, have you checked the polarity? Do you need a max232?

Mike.

 

[Ian Rogers]

BRGH = 1;

Also! The default terminal window speed is 9600 baud so you need to change it.. As you are using C18 why not just use

OpenUSART ( USART_TX_INT_OFF & USART_RX_INT_ON & USART_ASYNCH_MODE
& USART_EIGHT_BIT & USART_CONT_RX & USART_BRGH_HIGH, 64);
and include <usart.h>

Then just readUSART(); and putcUSART();

 

[Ian Rogers]

First do a blinking led to check if it's running at 20MHz and maybe use a scope to check the RS232. Also, have you checked the polarity? Do you need a max232?

No! Proteus terminal is TTL..

 

[jpanhalt]

You don't mention a crystal or crystal resonator. What frequency is your crystal/resonator?

 

[leovivaldi]

Hi Ian. Yes I am using C18. I know that I can use the header file and access the usart.h functions. I am doing this lab and it has two examples. This is the first and the second uses the functions from the library of the MPLABC18 header.
However, when I tried both examples. I get the same results.
As for the virtual window. I thought of that as well . I have changed it. take a look at the screenshot.
I know I need to calculate the baud rate using the formula and I get 64 for 20MHz oscillator and 19200 baud.
Please help. I understand the theory, the code (functions, steps of setting up USART, etc) but cannot debug this. I cannot even upload the Proteus file because I know it's against forum rules!


The following is the source code for the example using functions of the usart.h. The only difference is that I need to output a statement:

/* Serial Communication Transmit Example using MPLAB C18 libraries */ /* Using Port C as a UART Port */
#pragma config OSC = HS /*set osc mode to HS
#pragma config WDT = OFF /* set watchdog timer off */
#pragma config LVP = OFF /* Low Voltage Programming Off */
#pragma config DEBUG = OFF /* Compile without extra Debug compile Code */
/* Include the following header files */
#include <p18cxxx.h> // device PIC18 family
#include <delays.h> // include the delays library
#include <usart.h> // include the USART header files
void main ()
{
/* Make Port C O/P */
TRISC = 0x00; /* Open the USART for communication and set the following operational parameters: Set USART Parameters: Baud rate 19.200, TX & RX interrupts disabled, asynchronous operation, 8 data bits, Continuous reception, High Baud rate, calculated value for 19200 is 64 decimal */

OpenUSART(USART_TX_INT_OFF & USART_RX_INT_OFF & USART_ASYNCH_MODE & USART_EIGHT_BIT & USART_CONT_RX & USART_BRGH_HIGH, 64);
while(1)
{

putrsUSART( " PIC 18F4520 TRANSMIT EXAMPLE ! \r\n " ); // Send the string
Delay10KTCYx(200); // Delay between data transmissions​

}
}

 

[leovivaldi]

Hi jpanhalt.
I know what you mean what follows is also confusing.
I have asked my tutors and they don't seem to know. the configuration for the Oscillator is HS which means I am using a crystal. Now, I have completed all my previous labs such as ADC and what not, BUT I have never interfaced the crystal circuit with the OSC1 and OSC2 pins on the PIC18F4520 and it worked . Can you explain that please?

To answer your question; yes, the frequency of the oscillator should be 20 MHz. I have used the formula to calculate the SPBRG value based on that (64).

 

[leovivaldi]

Dude . I am such an idiot. I have solved it. see attached.

 

[Ian Rogers]

jpanhalt and Pommie

Protues is a simulator that doesn't use oscillators, what I mean is they are not modelled, all you need is to specify the speed you wish in a properties dialogue..

I'm assuming this was the problem judging by the response... The dialogue defaults to 4MHz...

At least you are up and running!!

 

[leovivaldi]

Got it Ian. Thanks mate. I kind of guessed it. But I have seen online projects and exercises on youtube, forums and other MCU websites that they do interface them. So is that redundant (because they don't need to)?

 

[leovivaldi]

I think it is because of PCB Design most probably!