| IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT The default PICKit Serial (PKSA) is not loaded with the correct hex file. To use the PKSA to communicate with the PC, one of two hex files must be programmed into the PKSA. A utility program has been provided to help with this step.
The two hex files you must choose from:
- UART_USB_PICKitSerial_V1.40.hex :: When prompted, choose this hex file if you are implementing one-way communication. This hex file will make your PKSA enumerate on the PC as a COM port. The PKSA will now function as a UART-to-USB converter. You can then view ASCII data in a terminal window or use the mTouch One-Way GUI to graph the data in real-time.
- PKS-0307-WITHBOOT-0103.HEX :: When prompted, choose this hex file if you are implementing two-way communication. This hex file is an updated version of the factory default firmware. Your PKSA will behave exactly as before, but with additional support for RS-232 break characters. You can then use the mTouch Two-Way GUI to change configuration values at run-time and view the effect on the sensors in real-time.
The PICKit Serial Loader Utility is located in Your MLA Directory/mTouchCapDemos/Utilities/PIC12F PIC16F Utilities/PICKit Serial Loader
The PICKit Serial Loader Guide provides more information.
IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT |
There are two main types of communication built in to the mTouch Framework's mComm module:
- One-way communication is handled through UART only. It outputs ASCII data to be read from a terminal window or from a GUI that reads COM ports, such as the mTouch One-Way GUI. You can find the mTouch One-Way GUI in
Your MLA Directory/mTouchCapDemos/Utilities/PIC12F PIC16F Utilities/mTouch One-Way GUI
If you wish to use the PICKit Serial with this communication type, it must be loaded with the UART-to-USB firmware. See this guide for information on loading this hex file to your PKSA.
- Note:
- For backward compatibility with previous versions of the Profilab GUI, please follow this guide.
- Two-way communication can be implemented with UART, I2C, and SPI.
User's Configuration Guide - (PDF)
Programmer's Guide - (PDF)
mTouch 2-Way GUI User Guide - (PDF)
The protocol allows for efficient, direct access to EEPROM and RAM for both reading and writing. The data is binary, so must be interpretted by a master instead of a terminal window. This mode allows changing values at run-time and execution of user commands. This option is used for communicating to the mTouch Two-Way GUI and for implementing custom board-level communications.
If you wish to use the PICKit Serial with the UART two-way communication type, the PKSA firmware must be updated to the latest PKSA version to support break characters. See this guide for information on updating the PKSA hex file.
