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Portable Pocket Size Debug Terminal Window (no PC) — Parallax Forums

Portable Pocket Size Debug Terminal Window (no PC)

uxoriousuxorious Posts: 126
edited 2007-11-08 23:06 in General Discussion
I have a project that a BS2 will work great for, but will probably need some debugging/monitoring while testing it in it's working environment. I'd like to be able to use the same debug messages that I make use of while it's on my workbench. What would it take to connect an SX to an LCD and program it to interpret the serial debug data from my BS2 and show it on the LCD? This would allow me to have a pocket size debug window that I can connect to my project when needed. I have all the necessary parts and just started reading about the SX/B compiler.

thanks

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~~ dRu ~~

Comments

  • D FaustD Faust Posts: 608
    edited 2007-10-30 00:45
    I know that the prop will work, but I'm not sure about SX

    EDIT: we wrote at the same time.

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    --DFaust
  • Kevin WoodKevin Wood Posts: 1,266
    edited 2007-10-30 00:45
    Have you considered using the Propeller?

    It has built in video, and there are code objects for video & serial comms available for download in the Propeller Object Exchange.
  • pwillardpwillard Posts: 321
    edited 2007-10-30 01:13
    I just picked up a Palm IIIxe at a garage sale for $5.

    Here is a good way to use it...· A serial LCD emulator.

    All you have to do is use SEROUT commands to the PALM/Handspring and you have a place to send DEBUG messages.

    http://palmorb.sourceforge.net/

    I realize that using an SX would be more flexible in the long run... but this is a rather neat piece of code.

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    There's nothing like a new idea and a warm soldering iron.
  • uxoriousuxorious Posts: 126
    edited 2007-10-30 03:37
    I haven't done anything with the propeller so I am a little clueless there and not ready to take that on. I like the idea of the code objects ready to go though. When you say "video" do you mean video for NTSC output or LCD? I wouldn't mind trying something if I could get some heavy support with the code.

    I was thinking of using a small case that I already have. (Polycase VM-24) and so a 4x20 LCD will be perfect.

    The Palm idea is very good. I have an old NEC Palmtop that runs Windows CE 2, so I'll have to see if it has a terminal program. It does have a serial port. I'll have to dig it out of my junk.

    Does anyone know the specifics of the serial data that comes out from the debug command? I assume that I can try this out between my BS2P40 and BS2 homework board to figure things out.

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    ~~ dRu ~~
  • Kevin WoodKevin Wood Posts: 1,266
    edited 2007-11-01 03:57
    How about this: www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=27307

    Here's more info: http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=679308

    Although I can't personally assist you with Propeller code (I don't have one, but have been debating buying one), I don't think you'll end up without help.

    As for DEBUG, it's a variation of the SEROUT command tied to pin16. I think it's basically a wrapper to make it easier than going through the whole SEROUT parameter list for every debug statement.
  • uxoriousuxorious Posts: 126
    edited 2007-11-01 21:48
    I did take a look at the OLED display, but that's a little much for a single purpose device. It is on the top of my wish list once I start learning the prop.
    You are exactly right about the debug command. I took a step back and looked into my Syntax/Reference manual and it explains the Debug command's workings as a "packaged" SEROUT command (page 169, (173 in the PDF)), so I think making a BS2/LCD combo act as a terminal window should be very easy. The LCD AppMod www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=29121 is ideal, hopefully the small LCD won't be too much of an issue.

    I did find my NEC Palmtop and was able to get it to boot up. It runs Windows CE 2.0 and has a terminal program. However, the serial port is a special connector on the side that plugs into a cradle. The cradle has a DB9. So either I carry the cradle with it or dismantle the cradle to harvest that mating connector. I have to dig out the cradle tonight to try it out.

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    ~~ dRu ~~
  • Sparks-R-FunSparks-R-Fun Posts: 388
    edited 2007-11-08 23:06
    dRu-dRu said...
    What would it take to connect an SX to an LCD and program it to interpret the serial debug data from my BS2 and show it on the LCD?
    This would be a good introductory project for learning to use the SX. Of course, most any mid-sized micro-controller should be up to the task. Since you already have the parts, you just need the software! Serial drivers and LCD drivers have already been written for the SX in both assembly and SX/B. You can incorporate these easily into your program, which will then mainly be concerned with any formatting or translation you want to perform.

    If I were doing this myself (and I have built a few projects combining serial processing and LCD screens) I would take the time to learn how to program the SX to process the serial data in the background using interrupts. This takes only a little more effort to configure but insures you will not miss any incoming characters while sending data to the LCD.

    Post in the SX forum if you decide to go this route.

    - Sparks
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