Flowcode Chip settings

[Walbeek]

Hi there,

I use flowcode for my software. Most examples use a PIC16F877A and sometimes a PIC16f88.
Programming these chips works ok, no problems found here.
However, I always experience problems when using other PIC chips.
For example, I want to use a PIC18F4620 in a project.
Like always, I´m testing with a blinking LED, connected to port A.

When I select CHIP / CONFIGURE a popup appears, called Simple.
In this popup, another chip is sellected (16F84A) and I can´t sellect the 18F4620 in tthe list.
So I have to switch to the EXPERT CONFIG SCREEN, where the right chip is available.

Now I find a very long list with all kind of settings.
For most of these settings, I don´t now what the function is.
It takes a lot of testing before the proper settings are found.
In my project I had to chose RC osc on RA6.
Now the led blinks, but very slow, much slower than chosen in Flowcode.
After some more testing I found out that the HS function works OK.

I could realy use some more information on the proper settings.
I use the EB-006 multiprogrammer with only two settings for osc, RC of XT.
A list of standard settings for the programmer used should be very welcome.
So, for each PIC that is included in Flowcode and PPP a list with settings for the EB-006.

Or, maybe another menu or setting in Flowcode where you can use the programmer you have.
Flowcode can change the settings automatic to the proper settings than?

Rinie

[Benj]

Hello Rinie,

For Flowcode delays to work correctly you need the clock speed in the project options to match the clock speed of your hardware. This is why we always suggest a simple 1 second flasher program to ensure you have everything setup correctly.

All of the chip configuration settings are explained in the device datasheet.

Here is a breakdown of common settings.

Oscillator - HS = Crystal over 4MHz, XT = Crystal 4MHz or lower, INTRC = internal RC clock not accurate but useful.

Watchdog timer - Resets the device if a command is not executed within a certain time - Beginners should disable this functionality.

LVP or Low voltage programming - Useful to program the PICs at 5V but disables an I/O pin which is normally right in the middle of PortB. Again beginners should disable this.

Brown out - Voltage at which the chip will stop running and force a reset. Disabling this allows the running program to potentially become corrupted if the voltage fallls below a tolerance and the chip does not reset.

Power up timer - Hardware timer that will delay operation until the voltage has reached a stable level.