HP299 - Flowkit ICD tool to debug MIAC

[go233]

Hello,
can I use the HP299 - Flowkit ICD tool to debug a program running on the MIAC V2 and flowcode 6?
I cannot find the option ICD in the Project option: where is it gone?
Giovanni
(I bought it only 1 year ago and istalled on my pc but never used)

[go233]

why no one is commenting this post?

[Benj]

Hello,

Yes this should be possible.

The ICD option is now available under the Debug -> Ghost menu.

[go233]

It does not work for me....I have attached the pictures with the error.
Could you help?
Giovanni

[LeighM]

Hi, Did you re-compile and download to MIAC after selecting ICD mode?

[go233]

during compilation I have this error ???
C:\Program Files (x86)\Flowcode 6\CAL\PIC\PIC_CAL_ICD.c(178): WARNING: 'Possible sw stack corruption' messages can safely be ignored for 'MARKER', 'PUSH' and 'POP' ICD functions

could you give me some instructions please? I am confused.
I have got a switch on the HP299-00-1, two positions do I toggle to PROG or ICD? and when I do it?
In the Debug menu there is the option Ghost which is enabled and then other two: debuger ICD and monitor ICT.
If I select debugger ICD another window opens asking
when do you want me to compile? what do you want me to select?
(see pictures)

[LeighM]

You can ignore this, it is just a warning ..

C:\Program Files (x86)\Flowcode 6\CAL\PIC\PIC_CAL_ICD.c(178): WARNING: 'Possible sw stack corruption' messages can safely be ignored for 'MARKER', 'PUSH' and 'POP' ICD functions

Your screen shots are OK, they are the correct settings.

The switch on Flowkit is to there to save you needing to swap USB cables in order to program the MIAC.

If you connect a USB cable from the PC to the Flowkit, then a second cable from the Flowkit to the MIAC, you can then use the switch:
In the PROG position your PC is connected directly through to the MIAC so that you can program it.
In the ICD position your PC is connected to the Flowkit so that it can work with the MIAC to give you the Ghost ICD functions.

So the steps are:
Put the switch in ICD position so that Flowcode can detect Ghost hardware and let you enable the ICD functions.
Then move the switch to PROG and compile to chip.
Then move the switch to ICD and run Flowcode in Debug mode.

[go233]

Ouccchhhhhhh!!!!!!
I think I have run out of memory? Is it possible?

see attached log file.
Giovanni

[LeighM]

Yes, you sure have.
Maybe you could disable sections of your program and debug them separately?

[go233]

yes off course. let me try.
Giovanni

[go233]

No, it doesn't work.
Sometimes it crashes/freeze flowcode and I have to shut it down manually using windows task manager.
Sometime it replays with the following error messages when I press step-into, step-over or play (see pictures); the switch position is on ICD.
I have attached my flowcode prog and log.

[go233]

program and log.

[LeighM]

Hi,
I am getting better results when I disabled the icon "Enable INT2", in Main. I can then step OK.
But I do get a crash at the end of Purge_the_System, I will look further into those.

I noticed that you are using strings, e.g. "OFF", in S1-S6 to indicate the output states, and then use string compares.
You would save a lot of memory space if you used a single byte for each S1-S6 state, set to either 0 or 1 to indicate the state.
(You could also then use global Constants, e.g. OFF=0 and ON=1, to help readability of your code)

[go233]

Yes! I'll use the global variable as you suggested.
Thanks
Giovanni

P.S.
Perhaps is a good idea to increase the memory of the MIAC in the future in order to have plenty of space for the in-circuit debugger firmare to live together with the customer application software.......

[go233]

This HP299 does not work, so can I return it to MATRIX to check it?
maybe it is broken?
or
if it is not broken....what we do?
Giovanni

[LeighM]

Hi Giovanni,

Sorry to hear you are still having problems.

Another thing you could try is, after you have enabled Ghost and downloaded the program to the MIAC ...

Flowkit switch set to ICD
Disable Ghost
Reset the MIAC (with the push switch)
Enable Ghost
Click the Step icon.... etc

Or if that still fails, try this ...

Flowkit switch set to ICD
Restart Flowcode
Reset the MIAC (with the push switch)
Enable Ghost
Click the Step icon.... etc

If that all fails, then yes, please return the Flowkit,
see the details here http://www.matrixtsl.com/returns_policy.php
Please email Nichola for a returns number (I will let her know about this) NicholaN@matrixtsl.com

But hope the above helps,
Leigh

[go233]

the behavior it is erratic, but it doesn't not work 9 out of 10 even if I apply what you suggested.
However, it works for short simple programs though, LED blinking or simple LCD writing etc.
I don't understand.
I am reluctant to ship it back, beccause I feel that it is not an hardware problem and is either a flowcode problem or a firware ghost problem.
what do you say?
Giovanni

[LeighM]

Hi Giovanni,
Yes, I agree with you, if it is working for more simple programs then it looks like the Flowkit hardware is OK.
I think it must be something connected with the number of ICD markers, or stack depth and it looks like the USB data stream is getting out of sync.
I've got the issue logged as a bug here, for further investigation.
Leigh

[LeighM]

Hi Giovanni,
The ICD issue has now been fixed in V6, as well as V7.
This ICD bug was associated with macros that return values.
The updated Flowcode V6, which is version 6.1.4, should be available on our servers later today.
Please use the “Check for Updates” feature to upgrade your installation.
Best regards,
Leigh