CP316: Microprocessor Systems and Interfacing

Flashing LEDs using Delay Routines

Objectives

• downloading code to the QwikFlash Development Board
• using the MPLABX programmer
• modifying the sample program to obtain alternate lighting patterns
• using C2 on the top header strip to allow the timing signal to be measured on an oscilloscope
• setting up a project for the performance verification program

Equipment

• led_delay.asm - sample program to light the 'Left LED'
• led_delay2.asm - an alternate sample program to light the 'Left LED'
• QFPV.asm - source for the performance verification program
• QwikFlash Development Board
• MPLAB ICD3 hardware (unit, USB cable, target cable)
• PIC18FXX2 Data Sheet [pdf, 332pp; ©2006 Microchip Technology Inc.]
• oscilloscope

Procedure

The MPLABX programmer allows you to run code on the target board, which will still work after the ICD3 is disconnected.

1. Set up a project containing led_delay.asm, a sample program to light the 'Left LED'. Set up a watch window containing the three port A registers and the looping variables. Simulate the program to make sure you understand its operation. Save the project.
   
   
2. Use the led_delay project from the previous step to learn how to use the ICD unit in both debug and programming modes. (Use the Debug menu to use the debugger, and the Run menu to use the programmer.) With the programmer, after the device is programmed you should be able to disconnect the ICD3 and the program will run when the Qwikflash board is turned on.
   For most lab demonstrations you will be using debug mode.
   
   Demonstration - demonstrate both debug and programming modes on the ICD unit.
   
   
3. Start a new project. Modify the led_delay program to light the Left, the Center, and the Right LEDs in sequence. Specifically, the sequence should look like: Left LED on, all LEDs off, Center LED on, all LEDs off, Right LED on, all LEDs off, and repeat. Only one of the LEDs should be on at any time. Get it working.
   
   Demonstration - demonstrate the operation of the above program and be prepared to explain your code.
   
   
4. Start a new project. Modify the led_delay program to display the sequence: all LEDs off, Alive LED on, Alive+Left LEDs on, Alive+Left+Center LEDs on, Alive+Left+Center+Right LEDs on, and repeat. The sequence must start with all LEDs off. Get it working.
   
   The sample program used a CLRF to initialize PORTA.  This works very well for question 3 but is not the best choice for this program. What is the problem? Suggest a better code sequence.
   
   Explain why looking at the LED circuit schematics in the previous portion of this lab was important to the operation of this program.
   
   Demonstration - demonstrate the operation of the above program and provide requested explanations.
   
   
5. Set up a project containing led_delay2.asm, an alternate sample program to light the 'Left LED'.  Get it working on the board. Explain the difference between led_delay.asm and led_delay2.asm. I think led_delay2.asm uses a better approach.  Explain why this program is more flexible.
   
   Demonstration - demonstrate the operation of the above program and be prepared to provide the requested explanations.
   
   
6. Now create macros to initiallize all of the LEDs, turn on and off each LED individually and add them to your previous include file. Modify your program to use this new arrangement.
   Demonstration - demonstrate the operation of the revised code.
   
   
7. From the datasheet, identify all possible functions for each I/O pin on Port C. Then, indicate which functions are possible when using the QwikFlash Development Board. Remember, once a microcontroller is installed in a circuit, the hardware configuration will potentially limit the multiple uses of a port pin.
   
   
8. For the TRISC register associated with Port C, indicate which pin directions are fixed (note the direction) by the QwikFlash hardware and which are bi-directional.
   
   
9. You will be using C2 on the top header strip to allow the timing signal to be measured on an oscilloscope. What registers will have to be initialized to use Port C for this function? What will the initialization sequence be?
   
   Demonstration - explain the results of your investigation of Port C and its implementation in the QwikFlash environment.
   
   
10. Using led_delay or led_delay2 as a base program, modify the code to allow the signal that is driving the left LED to be displayed on the oscilloscope (use the C2 pin). Measure and record the duration of the on and off intervals.
    
    Demonstration - demonstrate the use of the scope to measure signal timing; explain changes to the program.
    
    
11. In the previous question, you used an oscilloscope to measure the on and off times for the program that lights the left LED using a delay routine.
    • Do the timing for the appropriate section of the program by hand to prove that this time is correct. Give your result (a) in clock cycles and (b) in seconds.
    • Verify this by using the stopwatch option in the simulator to time the delay routine.
      To use the stopwatch, you need to use the simulator for debugging. Stop the debugger if you have it running, and open the Project Properties menu. Select the simulator instead of the ICD3.
      
      Once you've chosen the simulator, you can set the oscillator frequency to 10 MHz to match your board.
      
      Then you can choose the stopwatch from the Window/Debugging menu.
      
      
      The stopwatch measures the time between breakpoints, or you can single step through the code to see the time for each instruction.
    Demonstration - demonstrate the use of the stopwatch option. Explain your hand calculated timing. Comment on the respective accuracy of the scope vs hand timed vs stopwatch option.
    
    NOTE: Some groups may find this question long. Any material not completed in the lab is homework.
    
    
    
12. Set up a project containing QFPV.asm, the source for the performance verification program for the QwikFlash Development Board. Download it to the board. Test the board. You should always have this program/project available. This will allow you to test the board whenever you have any concerns about the operation of the board.