On Sat, 16 Oct 2010 14:09:19 -0500, "embcontrol"
<navasimoN@n_o_s_p_a_m.gmail.com> wrote:

>As to controlling the system clock, using bootstrap loader, working with
>interrupts and fuse settings, that I am not hands on with. That's what I
>need help with. 
>
>I need help developing sort of a pseudo architecture of how the code might
>look like. After that, I'll proceed to write the code. As long as I can
>develop a square wave (using the simplest way available), that would be
>enough. 

Generally (there are exceptions, of course, and I'm not familiar with
your specific chips) a typical setup may be something like this.

Note that "void main(void)" is not permitted in a hosted environment but
it is common in embedded systems where main() doesn't have anything to
return to. Also, lots of void is used in the functions, with no error
checking, just to keep it to a reasonable size. 

#include <standard_library.h>
#include "app_headers.h"

volatile unsigned tick;  // 8-bitters may want an unsigned char instead

void main(void)
{
  sys_init();

  while(1) {

    if (tick) {
      tick = 0;

      toggle_io_pin();
    }

    // Do other stuff.
  }
}

// Stuff from here down would typically be in a separate file, keeping
// the device-specific items separate from the front end.

#include <device_specific.h>
#include <standard_libraries.h>
#include "app_headers.h"

extern volatile unsigned tick; // Would normally be in a .h of course

void sys_init(void)
{
  clock_init();
  port_init();
  timer_init();
  enable_interrupts();
}

void clock_init(void)
{
  // Handle the system clock. Some devices boot off an internal RC
  // oscillator and need to be told to switch to a crystal. Others can
  // use PLLs for clock multipliers or use clock dividers to run a
  // peripheral clock at a slower speed.
}

void port_init()
{
  // Set up the digital I/O (inputs (with pullups?), or outputs with a
  // 0 or 1) and connect alternate functions to I/O pins. May also be a
  // good place to power-up or -down peripherals if that feature is
  // available.
}

void timer_init(void)
{
  // Set up a timer to handle system ticks; 10 msec may be a reasonable
  // value if nothing else drives this.
  // This function will typically also need to diddle with enabling an
  // interrupt to fire when the timer hits.
}

#pragma interrupt timer_isr
// Different compilers will have their own way to flag an interrupt 
// handler. Some decorate the declaration line instead of using a
// pragma.

void timer_isr(void)
{
  // Reset the interrupt flag, if any. Possibly reload/reset the timer.
  tick = 1;
}

void enable_interrupts()
{
  // May be a compiler macro or an embedded asm statement.
}

void toggle_io_pin(void)
{
  // I prefer to keep all code that actually touches the hardware
  // wrapped in functions (usually off in their own file). That lets
  // main() and friends worry about logic flow and they only see the
  // processor as an abstract device.
}

-- 
Rich Webb     Norfolk, VA

>
>Toggling a pin (i.e., generating a square wave) is the embedded
>equivalent of displaying "Hello, world!" to the shell or screen in a
>hosted environment.
>
>What you need to do is read the datasheet for the device and for the
>assembler or compiler you are using. You may need to learn about
>controlling the system clock, using (or avoiding) a bootstrap loader,
>configuring I/O ports, setting and responding to interrupts, fuse
>settings, and the mechanics of actually getting the compiled/assembled
>program from your PC onto the chip itself.
>
>Vendors generally publish application notes and "getting started" guides
>that cover the basics.
>
>-- 
>Rich Webb     Norfolk, VA
>

Thanks Rick for your reply...Actually, I am already familiar with
configuring I/O pins, writing simple C codes to play with the LED's, and to
program the chips. I also have all datasheets for the device and the
compiler. 

As to controlling the system clock, using bootstrap loader, working with
interrupts and fuse settings, that I am not hands on with. That's what I
need help with. 

I need help developing sort of a pseudo architecture of how the code might
look like. After that, I'll proceed to write the code. As long as I can
develop a square wave (using the simplest way available), that would be
enough. 



	   
					
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On Sat, 16 Oct 2010 08:06:33 -0500, "embcontrol"
<navasimoN@n_o_s_p_a_m.gmail.com> wrote:

>Hello everyone...
>
>I just got a explorer 16 board from Microchip. It brings two
>Plug-In-Modules (PIM), the PIC24FJ128GA010 and the dsPIC33FJ256GP710. 
>
>I also have the debugger/programmer ICD3. I have installed MPLAB C30 in my
>computer as well. 
>
>Now that I have everything I need (According to microchip)to start
>programming, I need some guidance with regard to starting this project.
>
>Basically I need to generate a square wave. Also, It would be good if I can
>control the frequency of the square wave. But first things first. I would
>be very happy if I could just generate the square wave. I would like to use
>the dsPIC instead of the PIC24. 
>
>I would appreciate any guidance or a starting point. 

Toggling a pin (i.e., generating a square wave) is the embedded
equivalent of displaying "Hello, world!" to the shell or screen in a
hosted environment.

What you need to do is read the datasheet for the device and for the
assembler or compiler you are using. You may need to learn about
controlling the system clock, using (or avoiding) a bootstrap loader,
configuring I/O ports, setting and responding to interrupts, fuse
settings, and the mechanics of actually getting the compiled/assembled
program from your PC onto the chip itself.

Vendors generally publish application notes and "getting started" guides
that cover the basics.

-- 
Rich Webb     Norfolk, VA

Hello everyone...

I just got a explorer 16 board from Microchip. It brings two
Plug-In-Modules (PIM), the PIC24FJ128GA010 and the dsPIC33FJ256GP710. 

I also have the debugger/programmer ICD3. I have installed MPLAB C30 in my
computer as well. 

Now that I have everything I need (According to microchip)to start
programming, I need some guidance with regard to starting this project.

Basically I need to generate a square wave. Also, It would be good if I can
control the frequency of the square wave. But first things first. I would
be very happy if I could just generate the square wave. I would like to use
the dsPIC instead of the PIC24. 

I would appreciate any guidance or a starting point. 

Thanks!	   
					
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