MAX7219 DOT MATRIX 8 x 8 Pixels

[Sergejs]

But why in second case there is written "have not licence"? In begin there was all working good. It happen when I buy licence to Basic IO. Is it possible there is software conflict inside the program? May be should I reinstall all Flowcode v9 from zero?

[mnfisher]

There is a free trial period? So could be related to that ending.

What packs have you bought - there was an issue with the licensing server at Matrix following power cuts? Reinstalling is rarely needed though - the software is pretty stable.

Martin

[BenR]

Hello Sergejs

When you first start your 30 day trial you unlock everything. All chips and components.

After the 30 day trial is expired flowcode reverts to your license. There are free components and free chips. There are also licensed components and licensed chips to allow us to pay for things like support and ongoing development of the software.

Free chips are listed under the free category. Anything not listed here will need a chip pack to compile. It looks like you've changed target from a free arduino uno to a none free device.

I hope this makes sense.

[Sergejs]

So what pack should I buy for this? There is more packs on website. I have some too. But in what pack there is MAX7219?

[mnfisher]

The MAX7219 component isn't in a pack - I just posted it on the forum and you can download it for free...

Martin

[Sergejs]

I done it and I have it and it is installed. But can not activate. Some errors in compilier or licence not correct it write on the screen. But in trial version this component works properly. But I do not have now trial version.

[Sergejs]

It works only with PIC MCU witch have port D. With Arduino and MCU without port D do not work. Have you any idea?

[mnfisher]

Okay - after some fiddling I've modified it to use v9's transaction SPI mode - hopefully this will allow it to work with more MCUs..
It was a bit fiddlier than anticipated as everything was previously generated 'backwards' and then sent from the buffer in reverse order...
Still it's up and running - I've given it a new GUID so it should show as a separate component - and I've moved MISO and chip select (on Arduino Uno/Nano use d10 to ensure SPI works) to top level so you can set them (note that CS the MAX7219 select can be the same as the SPI chip select - using the SPI chip select doesn't work sadly - this might be a timing issue - I will have to check with a faster MCU). It should be possible to do away with the double 'definition' - when I have a bit more time....

Because it uses the SPI to generate the pulses - MISO and chip select must be set to a pin (it would be nice if they could be marked as unconnected but it doesn't work)

I also got rid of the lookup tables and use array initialisations...

Note it uses a fair bit of RAM - (about 850 bytes) - so the MCU must have sufficient. i could do a 'small' version (just CAPs for instance) for lower spec MCUs

I've tested it on Arduino Uno and in Demo at least all looks good - but please try on a different MCU and if you notice any glitches then I'll try and fix them

It still shows nothing on the 2d panel and no hint of simulation - one day I might get around to adding it

Max7219_v9.fcpx

(8.81 KiB) Downloaded 590 times

v9 test.fcfx

(8.37 KiB) Downloaded 679 times

With a test for 8 displays....


Martin

[Sergejs]

Thanks for good work!

I will try new version on Arduino Nano when I will have more free time. I'll let you know is it works in it or not. Just I have a lot of Nano with MCU Mega328P on board. So this is the reason why I use Nano in my any experiments and projects.

[mnfisher]

Okay,

You'll need the Arduino pack installed to try with the nano..

I'd be interested to know if out works with your PIC and I have an Esp32 I can try - it should but it might need a delay after VS is pulled low.

In my tests it worked well at Fosc/4 as the prescaler for the SPI on the Uno.

Martin