getting started with propeller development

stampinator · 2013-09-01 20:48

Hi everyone,

I have been reading up on the propeller and am interested in using it for a project that I've been working on. However, I am not entirely sure what I need to get started... If I just have the 40 pin dip, do I need a crystal? I noticed all the prototyping boards all had a crystal on them.

My other question is, with the 40 pin dip on a custom board-- how do I program it?

The basic stamp had a development board which let me plug it into that, and then program it via usb, but I have not seen Parallax selling any sort of boards like that with a 40-pin dip socket... Am I missing something?

Thanks.

stampinator · 2013-09-01 22:36

Sorry, I finally noticed under "components" there was the prop plug... I still am a little clear on whether or not I need a crystal on my circuit or not. I ended up purchasing the 5mhz one just to be safe.

franksanderdo · 2013-09-01 22:55

Hi Stampinator,

if you need a crystal or not is (in theory) depending on your needs ;-)
Anyhow (in practice) it is advisable. It will give you a reliable and stable clock source.

Regards
Frank

WBA Consulting · 2013-09-01 23:03

I would recommend perusing the PDF of the PE Kit Manual that can be downloaded from the PE Kit Product Page. It will clear away your questions rather easily. The first section explains the basic circuit, programming, precautions, etc.

stampinator · 2013-09-02 00:03

Cool, and where can I find resources on the programming in propeller assembly?

Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL) · 2013-09-02 06:58

Machine Language Tutorial - deSilva

Direct link

Programming the Parallax Propeller using Machine Language V121.pdf‎

Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL) · 2013-09-02 07:07

[h=1]PASD (debugger) project[/h]
PASD is the abbreviation for propeller assembler source code debugger. You can use it to debug assembly language programs comfortably. PASD can set breakpoints and step through the assembly code line by line. In addition, the main RAM and the RAM-Cog can be viewed in detail.

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/121946-PASD-Propeller-Assembly-Sourcecode-Debugger

http://www.insonix.ch/propeller/prop_pasd.html

Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL) · 2013-09-02 07:09

Book [h=2]Propeller Assembly for beginners[/h]
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/132966-Propeller-Assembly-for-beginners

Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL) · 2013-09-02 07:47

[h=3]Assembly Language Primer for the Absolute Beginner Doug Ding[/h]
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.parallax.com%2Fattachment.php%3Fattachmentid%3D52004&ei=GqQkUsb1OqnJsAT4cA&usg=AFQjCNF-e94K1n2LH_B_lQPT9keIPi5qkQ&sig2=Ho3EzH36CHlxijebmzK-dA

Fernand · 2013-09-03 00:56

You need some form of non-volatile memory for the Prop to load up your code into its internal RAM, and a crystal beats running it on RC. If you want to start with the raw chip, you need a Prop Plug or to rig an FTDI type USB port to load the memory. So maybe a board is a better start? The $25 QuickStart board is even available at Radio Shack and makes a decent dev platform. Plug in USB, install the free Spin tool and you're running. There's the beta "Simple IDE" that also supports C.

I would recommend ViewPort as a loader/monitor/debugger. All this debug by printf() gets old. PASD apparently supports only assembly. VP uses a fast USB link to one of the "cogs" to monitor the others, automatically and transparently instruments your code to do that, and can poke/read data in running programs, trace, break, graph variables, and act as a Logic Analyzer to display the state of the I/O pins. IMHO huge time saver in mastering the Prop, you can trace/debug Spin or Assembly code, and C if you work at it. Not perfect but since it exists, I can't imagine doing without. Love it.

prof_braino · 2013-09-03 05:52

Rather than start with a bare chip, consider getting a Quickstart http://www.parallax.com/product/40000

Then you can easily set up your tool chain and ensure you are familiar with what going on.

Then check out PropForth, a version of forth for the propeller. http://code.google.com/p/propforth/ http://propforth.googlecode.com/files/PropForth-V5.5-20130317.zip

Particularly if you intend to just to assembler. Propforth is interactive, so its pretty quick and easy to experiment and test.

stampinator · 2013-09-04 20:21

Fernand wrote: »

You need some form of non-volatile memory for the Prop to load up your code into its internal RAM, and a crystal beats running it on RC. If you want to start with the raw chip, you need a Prop Plug or to rig an FTDI type USB port to load the memory.

I am a little unclear on this--- So, it is my understanding that the propeller has internal eeprom storage-- Yet I've seen in several of the docs, a photo of the propeller 40 pin chip + a little eeprom chip for storing your program.

I thought that all I need to do is write my program, hook the prop plug to the chip, flash the program to the propeller's eprom, and then as soon as the propeller receives power, it will run the stored program... Is this correct?

Mike Green · 2013-09-04 20:43

No. The Propeller chip itself has 32K of shared (hub) RAM plus 2K of RAM in each of the 8 cogs. There's also 32K of masked (permanent) ROM that contain a display font, several transcendental lookup tables, the Spin interpreter, and the bootstrap / power-on routines. You can attach a 32K serial I2C EEPROM (or larger) for storing the program and other data. The bootstrap routines will look first for an attached PC to download the initial program. If not available, it will then look for an EEPROM. If neither are present, the Propeller will halt. This bootstrap process does not require a crystal.

Most of the time, the Propeller comes packaged with the EEPROM and a crystal, usually 5MHz for an 80MHz system clock. Most of the standard software expects a crystal to be present. The Propeller mini is an example of such a package with the Propeller chip, 32K EEPROM, 5MHz crystal, 5V and 3.3V regulators and associated resistors and capacitors.

Duane Degn · 2013-09-04 21:50

I have a few links not already posted in this thread in post #3 of my index (see my signature).

RDL2004 · 2013-09-05 11:06

Last fall I built a basic Propeller circuit on a prototyping board.
There's a diagram and some photos in this post in case it might help:

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/143250-Basic-Propeller-circuit-on-a-proto-board

I just got a Propeller Mini last week and that's a very nice little board.

stampinator · 2013-09-05 23:33

Just curious, what happened to DeSilva? I saw in another thread someone saying "boy we really miss him".. I am just curious, why is he no longer around?

getting started with propeller development

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