Lynx DMX Dongle v2.0 Programming and Testing

[NavyGator]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to post how I programmed the PIC on the dongle and verified its operation for my first build. It took me a while to get everything together to make sure I did it correct.

I attached the document I made so it might hopefully help someone else.

Rich

[urthegman]

Thank you Rich, That was very nice of you to do that for all of us.

[inzeos]

Nicely compiled.  Might want to consider porting it to a WIKI article as well.

[deanathpc]

Excellent!  I could have used that 2 weeks ago! lol

Saved and printing it out now!

Thanks so much!

Dean

[NavyGator]

I uploaded a new pdf with active hyperlinks.

Rich

[RJ]

Thanks lets see if we can get it into the wiki where it belongs. Right now the wiki is locked from edits since Rick is gone and we do not have our watch dog keeping the spammers at bay. But he will be back in a few days.

RJ

[NavyGator]

Thanks lets see if we can get it into the wiki where it belongs. Right now the wiki is locked from edits since Rick is gone and we do not have our watch dog keeping the spammers at bay. But he will be back in a few days.

RJ

Sounds good. It should be able to help more people that way.

Rich

[kbowen]

Following the instruction. Seemed simple enough except I keep getting this message after importing the hex.
New firmware must be downloaded for PICkit3 to work with the part selected.
When I click ok i get unhandled exception occured with these details:

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
Microchip.PICkit3.ProtocolException: Expected command echo 0x003F, but received 0x1024
   at Microchip.PICkit3.PK3Control.ReceiveCommandResponse(UInt32 Command, Byte[]& DataReceived)
   at Microchip.PICkit3.PK3Control.SendCommandWithDataAndResponse(UInt32 Command, Byte[] Data)
   at Microchip.PICkit3.PK3Control.SendCommandWithResponse(UInt32 Command)
   at Microchip.PICkit3.PK3Control.UpdateSystemStatus()
   at Microchip.PICkit3.PK3Control.GetFailures()
   at Microchip.PICkit3.PK3Control.ReceiveCommandResponse(UInt32 Command, Byte[]& DataReceived)
   at Microchip.PICkit3.PK3Control.SendCommandWithDataAndResponse(UInt32 Command, Byte[] Data)
   at Microchip.PICkit3.PK3Control.SendCommandWithData(UInt32 Command, Byte[] Data)
   at Microchip.PICkit3.PK3Control.SetPower(PowerOptions Options, Int32 Voltage)
   at Microchip.PICkit3.Program.SetVdd(Boolean TurnOn, Boolean HoldTargetReset, Int32 Voltage)
   at Microchip.PICkit3.FormPICkit3.SetTargetPower(Boolean TurnOn, Boolean HoldTargetReset, Int32 Voltage)
   at Microchip.PICkit3.FormPICkit3.SetTargetPower(Boolean TurnOn)
   at Microchip.PICkit3.FormPICkit3.memoryOperationComplete(Object sender, RunWorkerCompletedEventArgs e)
   at System.ComponentModel.BackgroundWorker.OnRunWorkerCompleted(RunWorkerCompletedEventArgs e)
   at System.ComponentModel.BackgroundWorker.AsyncOperationCompleted(Object arg)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3615 (GDR.050727-3600)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
PICkit 3
    Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files/Microchip/PICkit%203/PICkit%203.exe
----------------------------------------
System
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3614 (GDR.050727-3600)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3082 (QFE.050727-3000)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
    <system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

Looks like it may have done something , but I am not sure.

[chrisatpsu]

just to be sure...

are you using the breakout boards from J1Sys?

if so, are the jumpers set correctly according to the manual that comes with the set from him?

also, in the Pickit3 programmer utility, did you make sure that the correct PIC is showing from that drop down list?

ALSO, make sure you are using the correct board for the correct chip.

[kbowen]

Yes I got the kit from J1sys, I have set it up according to this info:
* Programming Lynx DMX Dongle v2.0.pdf  in first post in this thread.
I plugged it in & have a red led lighting. How do I test ?
Keep having error messages in Vixen. Do I need a controller hooked up ? Or can I test somehow without the controller ? In device manager I have USB serial port (com4) & verified driver is FTDI version 2.8.12.0

[NavyGator]

I uploaded a new document in the first post with pictures since they are worth a 1000 words and I don't like typing. I figured it might help make the steps a little easier.

Rich

[NavyGator]

Yes I got the kit from J1sys, I have set it up according to this info:
* Programming Lynx DMX Dongle v2.0.pdf  in first post in this thread.
I plugged it in & have a red led lighting. How do I test ?
Keep having error messages in Vixen. Do I need a controller hooked up ? Or can I test somehow without the controller ? In device manager I have USB serial port (com4) & verified driver is FTDI version 2.8.12.0

Were you able to finish programming the PIC and verify a Checksum of 0A6F?

An illuminated red LED indicates that power is applied to the dongle.

You don't need a controller to do a preliminary operational test, Bill's instruction video shows how to do this using Vixen and verifying the comport. When testing the green LED should illuminate and change intensity when testing.

Rich

[mokeefe]

Following the instruction. Seemed simple enough except I keep getting this message after importing the hex.
New firmware must be downloaded for PICkit3 to work with the part selected.
When I click ok i get unhandled exception occured with these details:

You may want to download the latest MPLAB software from the Microchip website.  That seems to do a better job of installing the current PICKIT 3 firmware.  Give that a shot and then switch back to the PICKIT 3 Stand Alone programmer application to program the dongle PIC.  I struggled a lot with my PICKIT 3 trying to get the Stand Alone programmer working (even tried some of the earlier beta versions of it).  I'm still not 100% sure it's behaving as it should but I was finally able to get the dongle PIC programmed. My son who was back from college for a visit had his PICKIT 2 programmer and that programmed the chip without any hiccups.  Makes me wish I hadn't invested in the "newer" technology of the PICKIT3.

-Mike

[combustionmark]

Good job..

As a bonus your instructions also work with "Bare bones PIC18F programmer interface
" in the wiki.

I just maid an adapter on some scrap proto board and an extra socket.
Skipping the jumper part.

Just call me cheep..

OK. I did order the j1sys board, I just didn't want to wait.

Thanks

[kbowen]

Yes I got the kit from J1sys, I have set it up according to this info:
* Programming Lynx DMX Dongle v2.0.pdf  in first post in this thread.
I plugged it in & have a red led lighting. How do I test ?
Keep having error messages in Vixen. Do I need a controller hooked up ? Or can I test somehow without the controller ? In device manager I have USB serial port (com4) & verified driver is FTDI version 2.8.12.0

Were you able to finish programming the PIC and verify a Checksum of 0A6F?

An illuminated red LED indicates that power is applied to the dongle.

You don't need a controller to do a preliminary operational test, Bill's instruction video shows how to do this using Vixen and verifying the comport. When testing the green LED should illuminate and change intensity when testing.

Rich

Yes I finally got it thanks. Now have my dongle built & ready to go & my 1st express. Don't have cords yet but am curious if I can hook them up & do a sequence to see if both are working properly. Can I do that ? Will the LED's on the express indicate channel changes etc... Now trying to get the hang of Vixen. Is that the easiest software to learn with ?

Thanks for your help