Here's the latest news with the DT001 -

Firstly, if anybody else had trouble with the broken link to the port95nt
driver for picprog, they can get it here:
http://www.alltheweb.com/search?cat=ftp&ftype=4&query=port95nt


Still using p16pro and the DT111, I took the following measurement from the
pic's RB6 and RB7 pins - the pattern was identical in multiple programming
runs.

5v_ ____ __                     ________
4v_    | ||                   | |
3v_    | ||                   | |
2v_    | ||                   | |
1v_    | ||_  ___ __________ _|_|
0v_    |_| |__| |_|        |_| |

      0ms                      300ms

p16pro was sending the following program data: 0x0183 0x3000
and printed the following message:

Programming Failed - 0183 3FFF

By the way, I am now using a 15cm ribbon cable which I once programmed pics
with for some time, so that's out of the equation I hope.

The 0183 part made it to the pic and back in one piece, it seems. I would
love to rule out the 7407 on that basis. Which leaves timing issues,
programming voltage perhaps?

After reading Sherman's letter (thanks for the reply :) ) I desoldered the
socket from my old p16pro programmer and put it in the DT001's zif socket
position.

Using picprog, I found that RB6 stayed at zero, and RB7 stayed at +5v during
'programming' before picprog spat an error.

Using p16pro, I saw an identical waveform to the one depicted above.
However, p16pro had the same error as before. This really is starting to
look like the programmer computer's timing needs some work. Are there any
other programs/settings that have been used successfully with the DT001?

 - Tim



--- In simmstick@y..., "Tim S" <maestro19@m...> wrote:
> Hi all, this is my first post here.
>
> I hope somebody can help me, I am having some trouble getting my
DT001 to
> program a pic16f84.
> I (think I) can see the programming data being transmitted by
watching pin 1
> of the 10-pin programming header (see below), but any value read
from the
> pic is always 0x3fff program or 0xff data, even when the DT111 is
removed
> from slot 1
>
> Perhaps somebody could suggest other points on the dt001 to observe
with the
> oscilloscope, to try and clarify the cause of the problem?
>
> I hope somebody can shed some light on the subject,
>
> Regards, Tim
>
>
>
>
> Here's some info about my setup, I hope it's useful
>
> Computer Hardware
> it's a pentium pro, 200mhz I think.
> parallel port is on a circa-1992 controller card
>
> Computer Software
>  - running p16pro shareware version 3.64
>  - running win98, have tried in dos, and dos window modes
>  - have had less luck with picall v10a, perhaps it recognises read
values
> are not valid data, whereas p16pro is happy if they 	match the
buffer
>
> P16pro config:
> device - pic16f84 (device 4)
> fuses - XT, no wdt, no pwrt, no code protect
>
> DT001
> checked the soldering
> parallel cable is a 1m manufactured(non-ribbon) cable
> power feed is +18v DC, rated to 1 amp
>
> DT111
> checked soldering
> installed r1, r2, r3, c1, c2, pic, xt, c3, c4
> tried substituting fresh pic
>
> Following information is from an oscilloscope during programming
atempts,
> ground reference taken from DT001 (reset switch pin)
>  - +5v simmbuss line remains fixed at 5 volts
>  - with 4pdt switch in load position, pin 1 of the 10 pin
programming header
> is at 5 volts, and switches between levels of 5,1 and 	0
volts during
> programming attempt



To Post a message, send it to:   simmstick@e...

To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: simmstick-unsubscribe@e...

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

You may need to get involved in the bascom group, or the avrfreaks.net
forums, there is really heaps of info out there.

Cheers Don...

Joe Zerafa wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> I have just got a DT006 up and running and I was wondering what would be the
> first/easiest project for me to try out? Any suggestions or urls etc...
> would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Joe Zerafa
> joez@s...
> 
> 
> To Post a message, send it to:   simmstick@e...
> 
> To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: simmstick-unsubscribe@e...
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

-- 
Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software

xchet@y... wrote:
> 
> Recently I took out my DT001 programmer to program one PIC 12C508A.
> When I connected the programmer to the parallel port and turned it on
> the VPP and VDD light also came up along with the PWR and 5V LEDs. I
> fired up the P16Pro and tried to read the PIC in the socket the VPP
> and VDD LEDs turned off.
> 
> I'm using a DELL machine. Maybe the parallel port dosen't initialize
> corectly.
> 
> Anyone had same problem?
> 
> Is it possible to make a universal programmer like DT001 without a
> 7407 and using couple of more transistors. I have seen several David
> Tait's programmers, but will they program all serially programmed
> PICs.
> 
> Thanks.

best you have a look at the extensive help text and setup procedures in
the p16pro software.

Cheers Don...


Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software

have a look and the intensive help and trouble shooting guide/hardware
set up in p16pro.

Cheers Don...

Tim S wrote:
> 
> Hi all, this is my first post here.
> 
> I hope somebody can help me, I am having some trouble getting my DT001 to
> program a pic16f84.
> I (think I) can see the programming data being transmitted by watching pin 1
> of the 10-pin programming header (see below), but any value read from the
> pic is always 0x3fff program or 0xff data, even when the DT111 is removed
> from slot 1
> 
> Perhaps somebody could suggest other points on the dt001 to observe with the
> oscilloscope, to try and clarify the cause of the problem?
> 
> I hope somebody can shed some light on the subject,
> 
> Regards, Tim
> 
> Here's some info about my setup, I hope it's useful
> 
> Computer Hardware
> it's a pentium pro, 200mhz I think.
> parallel port is on a circa-1992 controller card
> 
> Computer Software
>  - running p16pro shareware version 3.64
>  - running win98, have tried in dos, and dos window modes
>  - have had less luck with picall v10a, perhaps it recognises read values
> are not valid data, whereas p16pro is happy if they     match the buffer
> 
> P16pro config:
> device - pic16f84 (device 4)
> fuses - XT, no wdt, no pwrt, no code protect
> 
> DT001
> checked the soldering
> parallel cable is a 1m manufactured(non-ribbon) cable
> power feed is +18v DC, rated to 1 amp
> 
> DT111
> checked soldering
> installed r1, r2, r3, c1, c2, pic, xt, c3, c4
> tried substituting fresh pic
> 
> Following information is from an oscilloscope during programming atempts,
> ground reference taken from DT001 (reset switch pin)
>  - +5v simmbuss line remains fixed at 5 volts
>  - with 4pdt switch in load position, pin 1 of the 10 pin programming header
> is at 5 volts, and switches between levels of 5,1 and   0 volts during
> programming attempt
> 
> 
> To Post a message, send it to:   simmstick@e...
> 
> To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: simmstick-unsubscribe@e...
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

-- 
Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software

Don,
I'm a little confused by your message.. I looked around the picallw website,
didn't take long, nothing there looked like a troubleshooting guide. I could
not see anything at the pages on your site that pointed to it either, at
least the ones I could find.

Did the pattern in my last email look like something that might be present
on RB6 *and* RB7 when programming a pic?

Regards, Tim

-----Original Message-----
From: Don McKenzie [mailto:don@d...]
Sent: Friday, 28 September 2001 12:46 PM
To: simmstick@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [simmstick] troubleshooting a new DT001


have a look and the intensive help and trouble shooting guide/hardware
set up in p16pro.

Cheers Don...

In the p16pro software Tim. the hardware setup and help.

Don...

Tim S wrote:
> 
> Don,
> I'm a little confused by your message.. I looked around the picallw website,
> didn't take long, nothing there looked like a troubleshooting guide. I could
> not see anything at the pages on your site that pointed to it either, at
> least the ones I could find.
> 
> Did the pattern in my last email look like something that might be present
> on RB6 *and* RB7 when programming a pic?
> 
> Regards, Tim
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Don McKenzie [mailto:don@d...]
> Sent: Friday, 28 September 2001 12:46 PM
> To: simmstick@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [simmstick] troubleshooting a new DT001
> 
> have a look and the intensive help and trouble shooting guide/hardware
> set up in p16pro.
> 
> Cheers Don...
> 
> 
> To Post a message, send it to:   simmstick@e...
> 
> To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: simmstick-unsubscribe@e...
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

-- 
Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software

Hello again...

I'm sorry to bring my woes back here again... I don't know if you do things
like that, but I'm starting to get frustrated enough to drive to melbourne
and see if a pair of experienced eyes and hands can figure out what's wrong.

p16pro was no more helpful than it has already been, but the picallw
diagnostic error codes informed me that if I was using.. whatever hardware
it assumes I'm using, I could try reducing R2 and R6 from 22k to 4.7k. That
does not make sense in relation to the p16pro schematic.

Don, I am sure your time is valuable, but I have been banging my head
against this one for about a week so far. I would appreciate if you could
tell me how the above could relate to the DT001, and possibly comment on the
following, if you can find the time.

In summary of my first two mails, I think I observed the (identical!?)
waveforms of the first programming cycle on pins RB6 and RB7, and p16pro
seemed to be saying that while the first 14 bits were returned intact by the
pic, the second came back as 0x3fff when Ox3000 was sent.

The ascii diagram I sent in the second mail depicts fairly accurately the
scope image I saw repeadly on both RB6 and RB7. The binary I wrote above
does not seem to fit into the observed pattern at all. If it's a clock
signal then where's the data - and vice versa..

Being a novice, I am not entirely sure what this means, but surely those
first 14 bits sent and returned while programming lend a valuable clue to
what is *not* broken. I have just checked the solder again, that makes about
seven times.

Good night all

Regards, Tim

-----Original Message-----
From: Don McKenzie [mailto:don@d...]
Sent: Friday, 28 September 2001 1:19 PM
To: simmstick@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [simmstick] troubleshooting a new DT001


In the p16pro software Tim. the hardware setup and help.

Don...

Tim S wrote:
>
> Don,
> I'm a little confused by your message.. I looked around the picallw
website,
> didn't take long, nothing there looked like a troubleshooting guide. I
could
> not see anything at the pages on your site that pointed to it either, at
> least the ones I could find.
>
> Did the pattern in my last email look like something that might be present
> on RB6 *and* RB7 when programming a pic?
>
> Regards, Tim
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Don McKenzie [mailto:don@d...]
> Sent: Friday, 28 September 2001 12:46 PM
> To: simmstick@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [simmstick] troubleshooting a new DT001
>
> have a look and the intensive help and trouble shooting guide/hardware
> set up in p16pro.
>
> Cheers Don...
>
>
> To Post a message, send it to:   simmstick@e...
>
> To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: simmstick-unsubscribe@e...
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

--
Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software


To Post a message, send it to:   simmstick@e...

To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: simmstick-unsubscribe@e...

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Tim S wrote:
> 
> Hello again...
> 
> I'm sorry to bring my woes back here again... I don't know if you do things
> like that, but I'm starting to get frustrated enough to drive to melbourne
> and see if a pair of experienced eyes and hands can figure out what's wrong.

Hi Tim, if you mean me, sorry, I would have to pass you onto someone
with the time.
I hope someone can help here if you think it is a hardware problem.

> p16pro was no more helpful than it has already been, but the picallw
> diagnostic error codes informed me that if I was using.. whatever hardware
> it assumes I'm using, I could try reducing R2 and R6 from 22k to 4.7k. That
> does not make sense in relation to the p16pro schematic.

have you toggled the vpp, and vcc lines and measured the voltages?
this is in the hardware setup.

have you set up the parameters correctly for dt001?

Cheers Don...

Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software

> > p16pro was no more helpful than it has already been, but the picallw
> > diagnostic error codes informed me that if I was using.. whatever hardware
> > it assumes I'm using, I could try reducing R2 and R6 from 22k to 4.7k. That
> > does not make sense in relation to the p16pro schematic.
> 
> have you toggled the vpp, and vcc lines and measured the voltages?
> this is in the hardware setup.
> 
> have you set up the parameters correctly for dt001?

just another thought, have you set it up for p16pro, or picall?

Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software

Hi Everyone,
I am trying to make 48 relays come ON and OFF using the addressable latch 
driver UCN5821A and the AVR AT90S8535. Below is the code in JAVR Basic. 
However when I run the program only Relay 1 comes ON and OFF. Can anyone 
help?
Thanks.
Salim.
.def DOUT PORTB.0
.def ENAB PORTB.1
.def RCLK PORTB.2
.def LATCH PORTB.3
.def CELL_AD 0
Dim _2_volt_cell As Byte
Dim cell_mux As Byte

ReadCells

For cell_mux = 1 To 48
    Call AllOff
    Delay(20ms)
    Call RelayON(cell_mux)
    Delay(20ms)
    _2_volt_cell = ADC(CELL_AD)
    Print cell_mux, " = ", _2_volt_cell
Next
Call AllOff
End Sub

RelayON(n As Byte)
	LATCH = 0
	RCLK  = 0
	ENAB  = 1
	DOUT  = 0
	Loop n
		Call RelayClk
	End Loop
	DOUT = 1
	Call RelayClk
	LATCH = 1
	Delay()
	Delay()
	LATCH = 0
	ENAB  = 0
End Sub

' **** Turn ALL relays OFF ****
AllOff
	LATCH = 0
	RCLK  = 0
	ENAB  = 1
	DOUT  = 0
	Loop 48
		Call RelayClk
	End Loop
	LATCH = 1
	Delay()
	Delay()
	LATCH = 0
	ENAB  = 0
End Sub

'**** Perform a single bit CLK shift ****
RelayClk
	RCLK = 1
	Delay()
	Delay()
	Delay()
	RCLK = 0
	Delay()
	Delay()
End Sub





_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

I've found a new piece of information that could be useful... the resistor
on the 12v feed between the transistor and the 4PDT switch was 100k.. not
100 ohms.

*sigh*

That pesky little 'k'

The good news is, the whole rig is now working without a hitch.

Hopefully my future posts to this group can be good-news and helpful, I
certainly have some cool ideas to run with, now that the basics are working.

Regards, Tim

Tim,

Your problem sounds very much like something I (well, a couple of my TAFE 
students) ran into last term.

We were using PicProg877 and the DT001 & DT101 hardware and constantly got 
failure to program messages whilst the LED's indicated programming activity.

When you were checking your soldering did you recheck the all the component 
orientations?

My problem was that the students had reversed resistor network RN1 which is 
located between the DB-25 socket and the 7407. Located where it is, it is 
almost impossible to check orientation without desoldering RN1 and removing 
it.

That cost me many long hours after they couldn't find the problem.

Best of luck :-)
Tim F.

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

Tim S wrote:

> I've found a new piece of information that could be useful... the resistor
> on the 12v feed between the transistor and the 4PDT switch was 100k.. not
> 100 ohms.
> 
> *sigh*
> 
> That pesky little 'k'
> 
> The good news is, the whole rig is now working without a hitch.
> 
> Hopefully my future posts to this group can be good-news and helpful, I
> certainly have some cool ideas to run with, now that the basics are working.
> 
> Regards, Tim


OK, Great! Tim,
I was about to send you some gear to get the old p16pro40 going, but all 
is weel.
pleased to hear it.
Cheers Don...

 


Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software

I've found a new piece of information that could be useful... the resistor
on the 12v feed between the transistor and the 4PDT switch was 100k.. not
100 ohms.

*sigh*

That pesky little 'k'

The good news is, the whole rig is now working without a hitch.

Hopefully my future posts to this group can be good-news and helpful, I
certainly have some cool ideas to run with, now that the basics are working.

Regards, Tim

There were too many bugs in the software. I have removed most of the 
bugs and I'll post the source on my site soon. Has anybody worked on 
it?

Thanks

Finally getting up to date with some news.

About to add a range of micro kits from Labtronics Australia. These have
been selling well in the Dick Smith stores.

4-Oct-2001
CH Flash Basic V3.5 has been released. It supports character LCD's based
on the 44780 LCD controller chip. The link has been updated for the Eval
download. CH Basic - Bronze Edition V1.2.1 has been released. A few
fixes have been made. 
http://www.dontronics.com/chflash.html
http://www.dontronics.com/chbasic.html

22-Sep-2001
RLC-1 RS232 to 5-Volt Level converter.
http://www.dontronics.com/rlc1.html

22-Sep-2001
WIZ-C (Formerly PIXIE) Owners and potential customers: There is now a
FEDPIC group, please visit:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FEDPIC
To send messages to members of this group, send email to:
FEDPIC@yahoogroups.com
To unsubscribe by sending an email to:
FEDPIC-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

22-Sep-2001
Picn'Basic and Picn'Basic-PRO No Longer Sold or Supported

12-Aug-2001 New Versions, Lower Prices PICBasic Compilers.
CH Bronze Basic Compiler
http://www.dontronics.com/chbasic.html
CH Flash Basic Compiler
http://www.dontronics.com/chflash.html

12-Aug-2001 Now Selling:
PIXIE Visual Development and Full PIC C Compiler.
The FED C Compiler and PIXIE will handle any of the current 14 bit PIC's
and PIC18CXXX 16 bit core PIC's future devices may be 
added by changing a single data file and downloading the new C header
file.
http://www.dontronics.com/fed.html


Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software

I've not worked on it.

But, I have noticed in the few Microchip App notes I've have looked at, the
code is not commented well and the one I did try to use was also buggy.

I wonder if they actually try to run the code in these notes...

Mac

Robert "Mac" McIlvaine
email: rmcilvaine@z... <mailto:rmcilvaine@z...>
phone: 603 647-1000 x1185
fax: 603 647-9470
Zydacron, Inc.
7 Perimeter Rd.
Manchester, NH 03103
www.zydacron.com <http://www.zydacron.com>
 


> -----Original Message-----
>    Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2001 06:14:02 -0000
>    From: xchet@y...
> Subject: Microchip Appnote 1_001
> 
> There were too many bugs in the software. I have removed most of the 
> bugs and I'll post the source on my site soon. Has anybody worked on 
> it?
> 
> Thanks
> 
> 
> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> __________
> ______________________________________________________________
> __________
> 
> 
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to 
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Hi All,
   I just wanted to know where I can buy a SimmStick in Bangalore or 
any other place in India.

Thanks,
Raghavendra

Hi Raghavendra, sorry, don't have anyone local, however if it is just
boards only, posage is free.

Cheers Don...

raghavendrag_in@y... wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
>    I just wanted to know where I can buy a SimmStick in Bangalore or
> any other place in India.
> 
> Thanks,
> Raghavendra
> 
> 
> To Post a message, send it to:   simmstick@e...
> 
> To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: simmstick-unsubscribe@e...
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

-- 
Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software

Hello all,

Can a 16C620 be used instead of 16F84 for IC1?

Thanks.

xchet@y... wrote:
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> Can a 16C620 be used instead of 16F84 for IC1?

It is pin compatible, it isn't fully compatible.
for starters one is a flash device, one isn't.

you will need to be more specific with the question.
best you have a look at the MC specs for the differences.

Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software

I have already checked the specs they are pin compatible. 16C620 is 
512 bytes and 16F84 is 1K. If the firmware fits in 512 bytes then it 
should be ok. I don't want to use flash device for the terminal 
because the firmware is not going to be updated every six months. I 
already have 2 x 16c620A/JW and 2 x 16c621A/JW and don't have a place 
to use them. 

BTW, I was offered 16C54B for $1.00 (Promo from Microchip) but 
shipping & handling is $11 per order. Anybody want to split?

Thanks.

--- In simmstick@y..., Don McKenzie <don@d...> wrote:
> 
> xchet@y... wrote:
> > 
> > Hello all,
> > 
> > Can a 16C620 be used instead of 16F84 for IC1?
> 
> It is pin compatible, it isn't fully compatible.
> for starters one is a flash device, one isn't.
> 
> you will need to be more specific with the question.
> best you have a look at the MC specs for the differences.
> 
> Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com
> 
> PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off 
Retail
> The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and 
Software

The fixed code is here:

http://www.bhargavaz.net/nvram/timer.html


--- In simmstick@y..., xchet@y... wrote:
> Has anybody tried it? My prototype is working but the code has 
flaws.
> 
> Thanks.

Hi all :)

The last few days have been pretty exciting, and fun. I dusted off the LCD
drivers I wrote last year, plugged the lcd wires into the breadboard
adapter, and printed a string in about 5 minutes flat. It doesn't get much
better than that :)

My IR drivers worked too, and currently I'm re-writing the LCD code to use 6
i/o pins instead of 10.

So, I can get text out of the pic now, it's much better than the flashing
LED I had before :)

I'll get back to you all about serial comms some other time.. the max232 has
been producing some weird output levels in both directions..

Regards, Tim.

Tim S wrote:
> 
> Hi all :)
> 
> The last few days have been pretty exciting, and fun. I dusted off the LCD
> drivers I wrote last year, plugged the lcd wires into the breadboard
> adapter, and printed a string in about 5 minutes flat. It doesn't get much
> better than that :)
> 
> My IR drivers worked too, and currently I'm re-writing the LCD code to use 6
> i/o pins instead of 10.
> 
> So, I can get text out of the pic now, it's much better than the flashing
> LED I had before :)
> 
> I'll get back to you all about serial comms some other time.. the max232 has
> been producing some weird output levels in both directions..
> 
> Regards, Tim.

That's great news Tim,
that was the wrong resistor value problem wasn't it?
have fun!!

Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software

Don,

In preparing my DT106 I was looking at the oscillator circuit. I have a
couple of questions:

- Looking at the component side of the board, with the SIMMBUS closet to
your body. The thru hole that connects the right xtal lead to C5 touches the
xtal can. Is this a problem? (Since the hole under the xtal can is connected
to ground this effectively grounds this lead.

- Should the thru hole between the xtal leads (the one connected to ground,
mentioned above) touchs the xtal can. Should it touch? (The schematic shows
the can grounded.) Should it be touched (from the back side of the board)
with solder?

Regards,
Mac 

Robert "Mac" McIlvaine
email: rmcilvaine@z... <mailto:rmcilvaine@z...>
phone: 603 647-1000 x1185
fax: 603 647-9470
Zydacron, Inc.
7 Perimeter Rd.
Manchester, NH 03103
www.zydacron.com <http://www.zydacron.com>

"McIlvaine, Robert" wrote:
> 
> Don,
> 
> In preparing my DT106 I was looking at the oscillator circuit. I have a
> couple of questions:
> 
> - Looking at the component side of the board, with the SIMMBUS closet to
> your body. The thru hole that connects the right xtal lead to C5 touches the
> xtal can. Is this a problem? (Since the hole under the xtal can is connected
> to ground this effectively grounds this lead.

The dt107 and dt107 boards are very tight as far as the tracks are
concerned, (others may be also) and we were aware and concerned about
the potential of this happening, however as there have been no reports
of problems at all, it appears all has been well.

Resonator isn't a problem, a crystal in a can could touch, but as the
boards are solder masked, this has protected the track from connecting. 

My first dt003 board had a power track running under the heat sink of
the 7805, and this was potentially very dangerous, as the heat sink is
screwed down on the board. With a little spinning of the heat sink, it
could have scapped through the solder mask, but after two years of
prduction, we never had a report of anyone doing it.

Yep, it took 2 years for my mate Mick to spot the error. Has since been
fixed of course.
So I figure a can on a crystal stands little chance of breaking throught
the solder mask.

I could add a warning to the text, but after 5 years of production, as I
say, we have never had a reported incident of this taking place.
 
> - Should the thru hole between the xtal leads (the one connected to ground,
> mentioned above) touchs the xtal can. Should it touch? (The schematic shows
> the can grounded.) Should it be touched (from the back side of the board)
> with solder?

They generally ground the cans in RF designs. I have seen some micro
designs do it, but never seen text on this subject recently, perhaps
others have.

Basically, you put the crystal in the holes, solder the two legs, snip
off excess length.
And that is the way I have done it since 1975 with micros.

> Regards,
> Mac

Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software

Gday Robert,


> - Looking at the component side of the board, with the SIMMBUS closet to
> your body. The thru hole that connects the right xtal lead to C5 touches the
> xtal can. Is this a problem? (Since the hole under the xtal can is connected
> to ground this effectively grounds this lead.
>
> - Should the thru hole between the xtal leads (the one connected to ground,
> mentioned above) touchs the xtal can. Should it touch? (The schematic shows
> the can grounded.) Should it be touched (from the back side of the board)
> with solder?

This is for a Resonator (3 leg `crystal type' device) that uses gnd on the middle connection. A per Dons email I doubt that it
would affect the crystal CAN even if it did touch.

Mick

Hello Everyone,

         Wirz Electronics has released our new SIMMBread Board product for 
SimmStick prototyping.  It has several SimmSockets, a bread board, power 
supply, and prototyping components in a complete solder it yourself 
kit.  The kit contains all the parts necessary except a power supply which 
can be a wall adapter or a battery.  Feel free to visit our web site for 
more information.

http://www.wirz.com/products/0231/index.html

-Ben


Ben Wirz                           mailto:ben@w...
Wirz Electronics                   http://www.wirz.com/

SLI-OEM - The most cost effective Serial LCD available!

Ben Wirz wrote:
> 
> Hello Everyone,
> 
>          Wirz Electronics has released our new SIMMBread Board product for
> SimmStick prototyping.  It has several SimmSockets, a bread board, power
> supply, and prototyping components in a complete solder it yourself
> kit.  The kit contains all the parts necessary except a power supply which
> can be a wall adapter or a battery.  Feel free to visit our web site for
> more information.
> 
> http://www.wirz.com/products/0231/index.html

nice work Ben, have just added some links from my pages.

Don McKenzie    mailto:don@d...      http://www.dontronics.com

PICMicro C Compiler & PICC-18 C Compiler by Hi-Tech @ $100USD Off Retail
The World's Largest Range of Atmel/AVR &  PICmicro Hardware and Software