Flowcode Support Board

Hi

I've had a search of the forum and Matrix site for details of PICs supported by the BL0080 but haven't found any. Previous versions of the board used to list PICs that the board could program in the datasheet, but I can't find any reference.

Can anyone point me in the direction?

Regards

Hello,

Most if not all 18/28/40 pin 8-bit PIC chips should work with the board but you may have to program some of them using a PICkit via the ICSP header.

For the chip natively supported by mLoader you can check the list of devices to see what is supported.

Thanks Ben

I thought it was the board itself that had the capabilities, not mLoader. Does that mean that I could (for example) use FC9 to program a 16F18877 using a previous board (EB006-30-9)? When I bought the board that chip wasn't supported in the list that accompanied it. I mean using the DIL sockets, not via ICSP.

Regards

Hello,

The 16F18877 uses a new programming paradigm and so the older boards will not be able to program that device without new firmware to specifically output the new paradigm. Currently we have only provided support for this new programming method in the EB2 hardware.

You could use the 16F18877 on an EB006 but using a Pickit to program it

Hi Ben

I had a feeling you might say that......

Later in the week when I'm back in front of hardware I might just give this ICSP thing a go, probably decide it's a lot of bother for little reward and then order up a BL0080

Thanks for the help.
Regards

Here's my finding on using ICSP via Flowcode vs BL0080.
ICSP does work to a fashion.
But what happens every so often is the programmer (PICkit3) stops programming until it's reset.
I don't think it's a Flowcode issue, it's more of a Microchip command line issue.
I could be wrong of course.
However, if I use MPLABX IPE to program using the Flowcode hex file, then there is no issue.
Given the choice after using both methods i.e. BL0080 and ISP,
I would rather payout for a BL0080.
Especially when you consider there is a discount for VC members.
Worth taking advantage of.
I would get one, even if I was not a VC member.
I would just leave ICSP to devices that mLoader does not support.

Hi Medelec

Thanks for that.

I have to admit to being a fan of the multiprogrammers as they are very convenient and I have several kicking around (EB006 of differing versions and a v2 and v3 version of the HP-xxx boards, which might warrant a place in a museum one day ).

I've already placed my order but unfortunately I forgot about the discount and there is a lead of a few weeks for delivery. Plenty of time for me to get fed up with ICSP Usually I've got all sorts hanging on the the board ports and when changing anything it's so convenient to just click compile to chip.

Won't be retiring the EB6's anytime soon as I see the new board doesn't do the smaller chips (well not via DIL).

Regards

Hello! Everyone

I am planning to buy the BL0080, keeping in mind the GHOST utility, may I request to share the datasheet of BL0080 (did not find on website), I am curious to know which chips are compatible to use with this board and other information.

Thank you.

Abhi

Ive been using icsp all along. I load the hex file into MPLAB and program via that. There's a bit of set up to do but once done you never have to touch it. You load it as a p rebuilt file. Each time you program MPLAB reloads the hex file so you never have to tell it to. I use pickit 4. All my pcb havd the iscsp header designed onto them so very easy.
Main benefit i the speed of programming

Hi

The ICSP pins allow all PICs to be programmed in the correct enviroment, however with regards to the BL0080 Multiprogrammer I find it very convenient. I insert my target PIC and connect whatever I'm experimenting / developing with into the Port connections and simply press Compile to Target. Job done and it's running. I have numerous other eBlocks which simply plug in as required, so it is very easy to quickly develop. I don't need a breadboard full of jumpers or the like just to support the chip and give buttons/display/whatever connectivity.

If I have enabled Ghost then I can then step through the program that is running in Hardware whilst seeing pin values. You can also use the logic analyser / scope features too, in real time. I believe it is these feature that Abhi is most interested in as it is very handy whilst debugging.

A list of eBlocks can be found here https://www.matrixtsl.com/eblocks/ and at the end of the datasheet it informs of mLoader and Ghost.

A link to Ghost in the WiKi https://www.flowcode.co.uk/wiki/index.p ... hardware_2

I'm not sure there is a link to every chip you can use with the BL0080 but it accepts most 18/28/40 pin 8-bit devices. mLoader does list compatible chips but unless it is connected you can't actually read the list which covers 10/12/16/18 series devices. If you have specific chips in mind I can confirm if listed.

Hope this helps.