Programming via another processor

ftkalcevic

I want to be able to program my propeller from another microcontroller when it boots.· The data sheet says this is done using p30 and p31, but I can't find any info on the protocol.· Is this documented anywhere?

Mike Huselton

For starters, see Propellent-v1.2.zip on the Parallax Propeller downloads page.

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JMH

ftkalcevic

Thanks for the quick reply. Unfortunately propellent seems to only be libraries and binaries for windows platforms. I have an embedded microcontroller project that will off load the time critical work to the propeller. I want the microcontroller to program the propeller, so I don't need eeprom. I was looking at learning about fpgas, but a propeller, or two, seemed an easier route.

Frank

Mike Green

For downloading a compiled binary file to a Propeller, there are several downloaders available. One is written in Spin and one written in Python. I think you can find them through the sticky thread "Propeller: Getting Started and Key Thread Index". Look under "Good Thread Index - Graham Stabler" for a link to the "Propeller Loader" thread.

For compiling or assembling, there's really nothing you can use unless you're willing to do a lot of work. Major portions of Propellent and the compiler/assembler of the Propeller Tool are written in Intel assembly language. There is a Spin compiler/assembler written in Spin that runs entirely on the Propeller, but requires an SD card and uses an attached PS/2 keyboard and TV display (the Sphinx system by Michael Parks [noparse][[/noparse]mparks]). It would be possible to modify the Sphinx system to use a virtual disk supplied by the embedded system and a virtual keyboard / display also supplied by the embedded system.

ftkalcevic

Thank you, that is exactly what I was looking for (and the links to loading multiple propellers were great too). If only I searched for Loader, and not Programmer!

Thanks,
Frank