PIC MAXI WEB - Revision A board

[APL]

Is this board capable of 100Mb/s ethernet?
I've got it on line and can talk to it fine. But my switch is indicating that it a 10Mb/s connection.

Secondly, is there a list somewhere of the significant changes between a Rev A board and Rev C Maxi Web?

[LubOlimex]

Yes, PIC-MAXI-WEB is capable of 100Mb/s Ethernet. A lot of things might be forcing it to 10Mb/s. Did you test with our demo: https://www.olimex.com/Products/PIC/Development/PIC-MAXI-WEB/resources/PIC-MAXI-WEB_5_42.zip ? Check the macros in folder _PATH_\PIC-MAXI-WEB 5.42\TCPIP\Demo App\Configs - especially take a look at "#define TCP_CONFIGURATION" in "TCPIP OLIMEX_PIC-MAXI-WEB.h".

The latest hardware revision of PIC-MAXI-WEB is revision B. There is no revision C. The changes between revision A and revision B are only in the white print (added prints and logos such as PB-free, Recycle bin, RoHS Compliant, etc).

[APL]

"The changes between revision A and revision B are only in the white print (added prints and logos such as PB-free, "

My LCD display is indicating TCPStack v4.02. As there is no hardware difference, I could update to the latest IP stack?

I was able to get to the web page at the IP address displayed on the LCD, displayed in my browser too.

I then tried to update the web page via ftp, but now all I get is "Not found" in the top left of the screen.

So, a couple of question.

1. Can I update to a more recent ip stack through the ftp - I guess not?

2 What do I need to do to get a web page served with access to the two relays and two switches and leds?

Clearly, I've done something wrong. What can I do to fix it?  Thanks.

[LubOlimex]

Yes, you can update to the latest demo that we have provided here: https://www.olimex.com/Products/PIC/Development/PIC-MAXI-WEB/resources/PIC-MAXI-WEB_5_42.zip - of course, you can also use the latest stack released by Microchip, but it would require adapting it to fit the hardware (yet, you have a starting point and configurations from the 5.42 project).

The demo code that we use for testing is old indeed that is why the display says 4.02. The demo we provide at the web-page is newer. Testing code has a lot of things that the end customer would not need (routines to test each pin via external headers; routines to check each peripheral; etc). So that is why we also provide customer-friendly demo that I linked above.

1. Can I update to a more recent ip stack through the ftp - I guess not?

You can update the stack but not via ftp. You need a PIC-compatible programmer to change the software of PIC-MAXI-WEB.

2 What do I need to do to get a web page served with access to the two relays and two switches and leds?

A PIC18 programmer (like Olimex PIC-KIT3 or any programmer that would fit the ICSP connector); MPLAB 8.x or MPLABX; the free version of PIC18 C Compiler 3.40; and time to read the documentation and understand the code.

Best regards,
Lub/OLIMEX

[APL]

"that we have provided here: https://www.olimex.com/Products/PIC/Development/PIC-MAXI-WEB/resources/PIC-MAXI-WEB_5_42.zip"

Thank you, I've downloaded it.

"You need a PIC-compatible programmer to change the software of PIC-MAXI-WEB."

At the same time I bought the PIC Maxi Web, I also bought an ICD2 which I notice has now been discontinued.

I never had much luck using it ( entirely through my own ignorance ) but I have it here, will that do as a device to program the Maxi-Web?

"MPLAB 8.x or MPLABX;"

I've just managed to download MPLABX but it's a steep learning curve

"and time to read the documentation and understand the code."

I'd like to upgrade to the 5.42 software, I see there is quite a few additional features included in this revision. But all I want to do at this stage is customise the web page for my own project.

Thanks for you help.

[LubOlimex]

ICD2 is fine!!! It is compatible with PIC-MAXI-WEB! Notice however that ICD2 debugger is not supported by Microchip in MPLABX as far as I am aware. So use MPLAB 8.92 instead. Download it from here: http://www.microchip.com/development-tools/downloads-archive (find in the page the download link for "MPLAB IDE v8.92").

Then you also need compiler we used for the project else you would have compiling errors. It might be hard to find exactly MPLAB C Compiler v3.40; so try with MPLAB C for PIC18 v3.47 in LITE mode (the LITE mode is free and completely sufficient). It can be downloaded from here: http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/mplabc18-v3.47-windows-lite-installer.exe

Once you install MPLAB 8.92 and once you install the compiler, open the project and ensure that the paths of the project are set properly so the project is compiled with MPLAB C for PIC18 v3.47. Compile the project. Select the ICD2 debugger and the chip from the menus. Download the compiled binary to the board.

It is described in the text document inside the demo project that you previously downloaded how to manipulate the web page.

Best regards,
Lub/OLIMEX

[APL]

Thanks for your reply.

I've got the MPLABv8.92 but it won't recognise my ICD2, I'm getting the following error.

"Connectiong to MPLAB ICD2,
ICD0019 Communications Failed to open port (USB) (Windows: GetLast Error() =0x0. 'The operation completed successfully')
ICD0021 Unable to connect with MPLAB ICD2 (USB)
MPLAB ICD 2 ready for next operation."

Looking at Windows device manager, it seems to be missing a driver, and doesn't seem to thing the MPLAB ICD2 device driver is valid, if I try to manually install the driver.

Driver is now installed but still same problem.

Oh! ICD2 is powered from USB and has green light on when connected to USB.
And Windows 10

I've googled the error and loads of people seem to have had the problem. Just wondering if you know a fix?

Thanks

[LubOlimex]

Maybe Windows appointed improper drivers to the ICD2 unit. Try to manually switch between available drivers until you find the proper ones. It is usually done the following way:

It is a good idea to first disable the driver signature enforcement that is enabled in Windows 10 by default (since it is not clear if ICD2 drivers are signed). There are lot of guides online on how to disable it under Windows 10. So disable the driver signature enforcement and then follow the driver switching details below.

1. Open "Windows Device Manager"
2. Identify the entry of the ICD2 unit right-click over it – maybe the entry is "Microchip Win USB device" or similar
3. Select "Update Driver Software..."
4. Select "Browse my computer for driver software"
5. Select the bottom option "Let me pick from a list of drivers on my computer"
6. Select the first item in the list. If you already tried the first, then select the second, etc.
7. Select next and close the window.
8. Test again in MPLAB, if the problem persists repeat for each entry in the list mentioned in point 6.

Overall, there might be more information in the Microchip's forums on how to get ICD2 working under Windows 10.

[APL]

I've had no luck with Windows10 the Olimex ICD2 and MPLab, which is extremely frustrating.

So, I've just tried to get access to the Maxi Web via the serial port.


I've been reading the 'howto' by Tom Nguyen and it suggests I should try 19200 baud 8 data and 1 stop bit. Apparently the procedure to start serial interaction with the board is to press and hold button 1, power down the board, power back up and then release button 1.

Question 1: Will a board reset with the rst button near the ethernet connector do instead of a full power down.

Question 2: I'm not getting any indication of activity on minicom, no illegal characters ( indicative of incorrect baud or data settings ) so, is there a character sequence that the board expects in order for it to recognise interaction across the serial port?

( does it require any specific signals to be present on the 9 pin D-Type? (DCD, RTS, CTS ) Etc?

[LubOlimex]

Question 1: Will a board reset with the rst button near the ethernet connector do instead of a full power down.

Yes. Also when you enter the serial mode, the IP of the board would not be printed on the display (it would stay 0.0.0.0). And the LED LD0 would not blink.

Question 2: I'm not getting any indication of activity on minicom, no illegal characters ( indicative of incorrect baud or data settings ) so, is there a character sequence that the board expects in order for it to recognize interaction across the serial port?

( does it require any specific signals to be present on the 9 pin D-Type? (DCD, RTS, CTS ) Etc?

No. If you look at the datasheet or the schematic you would notice that only RX, TX and GND are connected and required. What kind of COM port cable are you using? Are you connecting cable's RX to board's TX and vice versa? Are you careful about the COM port levels - this is meant for PC COM port and the voltage levels are 5.5V (not 3.3V as Arduino) Is your cable compatible?

[APL]

Yes. Also when you enter the serial mode, the IP of the board would not be printed on the display (it would stay 0.0.0.0). And the LED LD0 would not blink.

OK, LED LD0 isn't blinking. But I'm seeing 192.168.0.1 on the display - but under normal reset it picks up the IP address from my router. So something different seems to be happening.

Is your cable compatible?

Yea, that's a good question. I've used it for other equipment. I guess it depends how the Olimex presents itself, DTE or DCE, maybe I need a Cross cable. I'll check that out.

[APL]

I needed a crossover cable. Now I can get the serial port menu.

Do I need any particular protocol to upload the web page?

Thanks

[LubOlimex]

Good progress. The page can be uploaded over the Ethernet, as described in Tom's guide: https://www.olimex.com/Products/PIC/Development/PIC-MAXI-WEB/resources/PIC-MAXI-WEB_tom_nguyen.pdf starting at the bottom of page 2:

"Next you will need to load the image file for the webpage. Connect a LAN cable, wait a bit and check the IP address displayed on the LCD. Open your favorite browser and enter the following (for example the IP is 192.168.0.224):
http://192.168.0.224/mpfsupload"

[Stanimir5F]

Hello APL!

You don't need RS cable to upload the page. In fact the easiest way to update the web page is through the browser. In order to do so - go to the ip address printed on the LCD and append "/mpfsupload" after the ip address and then choose the bin file you wish to upload.
Keep in mind the different versions of the stack have different bin files for the webpage. Otherwise the result will be a messy page without any decent design.
If you want to change something small on the page (like text or colors) you have to do the changes on the sources OF THE WEBPAGE (not on the project). These files are located in "PIC-MAXI-WEB 5.42\TCPIP\Demo App\WebPages2". After you do that you have to "compile" a bin file using the MPFS2 tool which is included inside the stack. You can find it inside: "PIC-MAXI-WEB 5.42\Microchip\TCPIP Stack\Utilities\MPFS2.jar". There you select the source folder and the outbut file: *.bin.
If you want to make changes in the functionality (like adding additional button/LED or just another variable) then you have to make changes on the project as well, recompile it and reprogram the board.

Stan, Olimex

[APL]

In fact the easiest way to update the web page is through the browser. In order to do so - go to the ip address printed on the LCD and append "/mpfsupload" after the ip address and then choose the bin file you wish to upload.

Hi Stan,

I've seen that procedure documented, but it's never seemed to work for me. I've got the 4.02 stack on board - does that make any difference?

Keep in mind the different versions of the stack have different bin files for the webpage. Otherwise the result will be a messy page without any decent design.

So, can I download the 4.02 build ( since I can't yet upgrade to the 5.42 stack, without functioning MPLab )

These files are located in "PIC-MAXI-WEB 5.42\TCPIP\Demo App\WebPages2". After you do that you have to "compile" a bin file using the MPFS2 tool which is included inside the stack. You can find it inside: "PIC-MAXI-WEB 5.42\Microchip\TCPIP Stack\Utilities\MPFS2.jar". There you select the source folder and the outbut file: *.bin.

Will the MPFS2 tool work for the 4.02 stack?

If you want to make changes in the functionality (like adding additional button/LED or just another variable) then you have to make changes on the project as well, recompile it and reprogram the board.

Right now I'd be happy to use the default web page with access to the relays.

Thanks, both for your help.