SDownldr.exe

Circuit diagram for this ISP downloader is as follow:

ISP downloader circuit diagram

The Serial Downloader circuit above using the power supply from the parallel port. However, not all parallel port capable of providing enough current for this purpose. If Your parallel port is not strong enough for this purpose, then you must provide a + 5V power supply for this circuit.

If the program is run from the IDE, then all the settings will be performed by the IDE. Whereas if it is executed as a standalone program, then the settings are as follows:

• Default Hex File
  If you are using the “Microcontroller Poject” IDE, so whenever performed a successful compilation, a hex file is created in the temp directory, i.e. TMPFILE.HEX. If the “Default Hex File” is checked, then the file will be sent if the Send button is clicked is the hex file of successful compilation result. Keep in mind that the hex file will exist only if the IDE is still running.
  If “Default Hex Files” is not checked, then you can determine which files will be sent by clicking on the Browse button.
• Send
  Use this button to start sending the specified hex file.
• Read
  Use this button to read the code on the chip. The reading will only succeed if the chip has not been locked.
• Lock
  Use this button to lock the chip so that the code on the chip cannot be read again.
• Port
  Select the appropriate port address for the port being used. Parallel port usually placed on the address 378H.
• Auto Lock
  If checked, then after sending the data is complete and after verification, the chip will be locked automatically.
• Browse
  Use this button to choose a hex file will be sent. This button will only be active if the “Default Hex Files” is not a check.
• Read data count
  Used to determine the amount of data to be read if the Read button is clicked. It could use a decimal number or hexadesimal, i.e. if the “Hex” is checked.

SSMaker.exe

SSMaker.exe is a program to help make a lighting table of seven segment.

Click on the segment to be switched on or off. After that, the table to form the light will be instantly displayed. Lights are represented by the value bit 0. To make the light represented by the value bit 1, check the Active High.

Constants for the number 5 is 92H (light = 0) or 6DH (light = 1)

By default, bit 0 is for segment A, bit 1 is for the segment b, and so on. But you also can change the order. Of course this arrangement tailored to the hardware. To determine the bits to its segments, right click on the segment to be determined its bit, then from pupop menu that appears, choose the number of bits.

Right-click on a segment for selecting bits for the segment.

If we use the bits that are being used by another segment, the segment which bits are used will be made to not connected to any bit. Signs that the segment is not connected to the bit is the segment which is marked with the letter X.

This program is a package of Microcontroller Project

In addition to using assembly language, Microcontroller Project can also use c language for writing programs, using SDCC.

Microcontroller Project integrate editor that comes with code explorer, code hint, and auto-completion so that writing programs is easier. And with the simulator, you will be facilitated in understanding the course of the program and while tracking program logic error.

Microcontroller Project provides additional features from previous versions that will add convenience you make microcontroller projects. New features include:

• Code Explorer

  If we create a variable declaration, then automatically the variables will be listed and will appear in the left panel of each editor. Likewise, the label that we have created, a macro that we created and others.

  The list was made in the left pane are sorted alphabetically, not position. By double-clicking on an object, the cursor will be placed in the position where the objects is written.

• Auto Completion

  With the auto completion, when we write programs, we will be treated to a choice with the objects we have created. Thus, writing the program can be more quickly and does not easily occur wrongly written.

  

  Code completion appear automatically or can be invoked with the Ctrl+Spasi

  Code completion will automatically appear if we create a space, and is the right part to add the code. For example, when we make a space after writing acall, then that will appear are all labels that have been made. Likewise, if we write mov, then after adding a space, will soon be raised all the variables we have made.

  We can also invoke code completion by pressing the Ctrl+Spasi. If we write programs in C language, then the code completion will not appear automatically, we must call it to appear by pressing the Ctrl+Space.

• Code Hint

  If we create a macro or function on writing C programs, then sometimes we forget what the parameters are owned by the macro or function. When we write a macro or function call, it will automatically appear hint that indicates the parameters that are owned by the macro or function.

  

  Code Hint helps show the parameters in the macro or function. Appears automatically or can be invoked by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Space

  And just like code completion, if code hint does not appear automatically, then we can call it to appear by pressing the Ctrl+Shift+Spasi.

The most interesting of the Microcontroller Project is the integration with simulators that can be linked to various programs / other simulators. Simulator capability that can be linked to other simulators makes Microcontroller Project very easy for us in designing microcontroller-based systems.

Micro V7.0

Actually, this simulator only support assembly. But you can set limits to the simulator as if working for C. Condition, you need to know exactly how C make a program. This is possible if you are a multi-programmer, meaning not only understand microcontroller programming, but also other programming. You also need quite understand how the SDCC works. If not, you can only use the simulator for assembly.

Wait, do not worry, although the simulator is only able to work in assembly language, but Microcontroller Project will convert the program you are writing with SDCC into assembly. So your C program can be tested with the simulator. Well now we will discuss the use of simulators in general.

The SimulatorInDLL main menu

Seven main menu on the simulator:

1. Start. Of course, this menu function is to run the simulation. This menu will change to Stop if it is running, so of course serves to stop the simulation.
2. Single Step (F7). This menu function is to execute just one line of instructions.
3. Step Over (F8). The menu is almost the same as Single Step. The difference appears if the executed instruction is a call instruction. Single Step will jump to the invoked subprogram, whereas Step Over will execute subprogram to its completion.
4. Reset. This menu serves as we hit the reset button on the microcontroller circuit. Usually when you first run the simulator, you can not run the simulation until you click on this menu. Likewise, after you make changes to options.
5. View. This menu serves to select a window which will be displayed. i.e window of internal RAM, external RAM, Ports, SFR, and Registers.
6. Option. Well, this really must be considered in order to optimally use the simulator.
   • External Updates. If the menu is marked with a check, then any access to external ram will cause the contents of registers in the external ram windows will automatically be updated.
   • Update Display. If the menu is given a check mark, then every execution of the program will immediately cause all the windows updated. You should uncheck the menu if you want to see every change of the data on each program execution. But this will cause the speed of the simulation becomes much slower. So if you just want to see the final result or just want to see the work shown in the port, you should remove the check mark.
   • Separate 4-bit binary. Well if the menu is marked with a check, then the binary number on the window of port, sfr, registers, or external ram will be split in two nibble.
   • Com. Well this menu is very important menu if you are trying the program for serial communication. You can select COM1 through COM4 if you want any assignment to the SBUF register actually sent to the serial port on your computer. In addition you can also connect SBUF with other simulator through the window message. If you select this link, then the data loaded into the SBUF will be sent to the destination window with the data in wParam. First you must set the required parameters. The first is the handle of the target window. To fill this value, you simply click on the Capture Handle button, then point the mouse pointer to the destination window, then click on the window. Next is the Message to be sent. If the simulator window target need a WM_USER, then you simply click on the button to get the constants for the WM_USER. Likewise, if the window target want a WM_CHAR, then you simply click on the WM_CHAR button. You can use notepad to capture the character data sent via SBUF if it is a WM_CHAR message. The latter is the lParam. These parameters are not always used. This may be important if you make your own simulator and require additional information, such as if you also want your simulator to communicate directly with this simulator. You can just check the “Handle of this application” to get the handle of the running simulator. Of course this information will only be understood if you are accustomed to make a program in Windows.
   • Thread priority. Well, you have to carefully select them. If you choose the highest priority, then all the CPU time will be spent almost just to run this simulation. So sometimes you will even be difficult to move the mouse.
   • Port. Which is useful to set a link from P0 to P1. If you click on this menu, then you will be taken to a window to set the link of these ports. There are four options for each port link, i.e. link is none, if you don’t want to connect the port anywhere; link port, if you want to connect the port to physical ports, such as parallel port, PPI or other physical ports installed on your computer; link message, if you want to link the data on the port to the running application or to other simulators, and the last is the link file, ie if the data sent to the port will be sent to a file. Link message settings can be considered the same with the settings on COM link message.
   • Reset Port+Com setting on close. If the menu is marked with a check, then the settings on the port and com will be returned to the “link none” state after the simulation is closed. Conversely, the setting will be stored in the registry and will be used to set the simulator when the simulator is run again.
   • Simulation speed. This is the last menu in the Options menu. This will determine the delay of any simulated execution. Of course, this menu will only be meaningful if the Display Update menu marked with a check.
7. About. Which is not so important, just sometimes when we make a program, then we also want to be known. Well if you click on this menu, you’ll see the logo of my pride.

Break point

There are times when we want to run the simulation without having to watch every step. We just want to know the circumstances of the particular line, eg state of the registers just before a subprogram return back (on the RET command). If so, you simply mark a break point on the line that you want as the cessation of the simulation. The trick, double-click on the line where you want the simulation to stop. To remove the break point, you just double click again on that line.

Update Point

If we want to run simulations quickly, then we must remove the check mark on the Option-Update Display menu. Unfortunately if we do, then all display at the windows will only be updated after we stop the simulation. So we can not observe the changes that occur in the registers. We can make so that at certain points, the values of registers will be updated without having to stop the simulation. Well, if this is what you want, then you can add the update point on certain line. For example on the line after a port is modified so that we can observe changes in the value of the port. The trick is to double click while pressing the Ctrl key on the line you want to add the update point.

Breakpoint (red) and Updatepoint (yellow)

In companion CD of the first printing of Mudah dan Menyenangkan Belajar Mikrokontroler, I enclosed microcontroller IDE software, i.e. Micro v5.4. Now I release the renewal version i.e. Micro v6.11.1.

The new stuff in Micro v6.11.1:

• Able to write in C. The previous version was only able in assembly.
• Able to configure downloader.

Able to write in C.

Micro v6.11.1 supports C which is compiled by SDCC. Choose File > New > New C file, then write the program. When it’s done, just simulate it using SimulatorInDLL or downloaded directly into microcontroller, it’s up to you. The procedure is the same as A51 file or M51.

New C File

As well as SDCC which gives option to configure how program will be compiled, and Micro v6.11.1 does too. Choose Option > SDCC Option, then read Help provided by SDCC.

Able to configure downloader.

There are 3 choices of downloader:

• Default downloader is downloader that you can obtain by order to me only
• Serial downloader is ISP downloader that you can make by yourself by connecting AT89S51 or AT89S52 microcontroller pins to paraller port.
• Custom downloader is your own downloader. If you use this type, make sure your downloader is able to be driven by means of command line sequence: ProgramName HexFile [Switch].

Custom downloader must be configured first as follows:

1. Choose Option >> Write >> Configure Custom Downloader.
2. Fill Downloader field with your downloader program. You may also look for it using Browse.
3. If the program needs Switch indeed, you may place it in Switch part.

If it has been configured, as Download button is clicked, then Micro v6.11.1 will call downloader program as if as we type thru Command Prompt.

For example we are in “C:\My Documents”, downloader file name is “Download.EXE”, and file name that is about to be downloaded is Experiment.M51. Firstly, Micro v.6.11.1 will compile Experiment.M51 so it yields Experiment.HEX. Afterwards, Micro v6.11.1 will call Download.EXE program as follows:

C:\My Documents>Download Experiment.HEX

Custom downloader configuration

Micro v6.11.1

See the latest version