MRF90XAM9A interfacing help

[ecoli-557]

Looking at the PLL, so I modified the init to debug if PLL is locked"

            'Verify PLL Lock Flag
            bReg_Address = $0E                                                  'FTPRIREG
            gosub RegisterRead
            PLL_LOCK = 0
            PLL_LOCK = bReg_Value.1
                     'You can test this bit to see if PLL Is Locked
debug "PLL Lock=",bin1 PLL_LOCK,13

Debug shows a '0' so its not locked..... not real sure what that means...... MC site for support on this is thin indeed.
I can't believe no one who has read this thread has not done this, I can't believe I am the only one!

[Tabsoft]

Well, I attempted to modify MC's Radiodriver software to match your attempts.
Perhaps you should drop back to exactly what they are doing.
In essence they are running in Packet mode, variable length packets with a buffer threshold of 1 packet.
They also use a (4) byte SYNC sequence.

Here are the register settings they use.

     RF_Init_Values[0] = $2E                                                   'Standby mode, 915-928 MHz, VTune by inductors, ENABLE R1/P1/S1
     RF_Init_Values[1] = $84                                                   'FSK, max IF gain, Packet Mode
     RF_Init_Values[2] = $0B                                                   'Change from 200KHz Freq Dev to 33KHz Dev
     RF_Init_Values[3] = $63                                                   '2KBps
     RF_Init_Values[4] = $0C                                                   'for OOK mode, not apliable
     RF_Init_Values[5] = $C1                                                   '16Bytes FIFO, 3 Bytes threshold FIFO transmit interrupt
     RF_Init_Values[6] = $77                                                   '915MHz R1 Reg
     RF_Init_Values[7] = $64                                                   '915MHz P1 Reg
     RF_Init_Values[8] = $32                                                   '915MHz S1 Reg
     RF_Init_Values[9] = $74                                                   '920MHz R2 Reg
     RF_Init_Values[10] = $62                                                  '920MHz P2 Reg
     RF_Init_Values[11] = $32                                                  '920MHz S2 Reg
     RF_Init_Values[12] = $38                                                  'config mode for OOK, not apliable
     RF_Init_Values[13] = $C8                                                  'PLREADY, CRCOK, TXDONE, FIFO Not Full, FIFO Empty, No FIFO Overrun
                                                                               'TX: mostly normal
     RF_Init_Values[14] = $0B                                                  '00111001
     RF_Init_Values[15] = $00                                                  '
     RF_Init_Values[16] = $41                                                  'default filters config
     RF_Init_Values[17] = $38                                                  'default filters config
     RF_Init_Values[18] = $38                                                  'sync word ON, 24bits, 0 errors tolerance
     RF_Init_Values[19] = $07                                                  'reserved reg
     RF_Init_Values[20] = $00                                                  'RSII status read register, 0.5dB / bit
     RF_Init_Values[21] = $00                                                  'OOK config reg
     RF_Init_Values[22] = $69                                                  '"S" 1st byte of sync word
     RF_Init_Values[23] = $81                                                  '"C" 2nd byte of sync word
     RF_Init_Values[24] = $7E                                                  '"S" 3rd byte of sync word  - my initials!
     RF_Init_Values[25] = $96                                                  '
     RF_Init_Values[26] = $F0                                                  'utoff fcy = 200KHz, output power = 13dBm 0b000
     RF_Init_Values[27] = $80                                                  'clk out by default 427KHz
     RF_Init_Values[28] = $40                                                  '3 bytes payload
     RF_Init_Values[29] = $00                                                  'initial MAC ADDRESS, only for test
     RF_Init_Values[30] = $E8                                                  'Fix Packet Lenght, 3 bytes preamble, whitening ON, CRC ON, Node ADDR|0x00|0xFF filtering
     RF_Init_Values[31] = $00                                                  'FIFO autocreal enable if CRC fails, Write to FIFO in stby mode     for (i = 0; i < 32; i++)

Then alter your XMIT: to handle variable length packets.

'Try sending something
debug "Try sending 3 bytes",13
XMIT:       TxPacket[0] = $04   'Number of payload bytes + address byte
            TxPacket[1] = $00   'Hard coded address byte
            TxPacket[2] = $A1
            TxPacket[3] = $B1
            TxPacket[4] = $C1
            TxPacketLen = 5
            gosub Send_Packet
            bRF_Mode = RF_STANDBY
            gosub SetRFMode
            goto XMIT                                                          'Remark this line to be receive all the time, othewrwise its xmitting all the time

I believe the key here is to make sure that the PLL Lock flag is setting.
This lets you know that the Radio has turned on correctly.

[Tabsoft]

Are you using this module?
MRF89XAM9A

[ecoli-557]

Yes, trying to.

[Tabsoft]

Okay.
Reading the MRF89XAM9A datasheet on page 7 "1.3.5 VCO TANK TRIM VALUE", it says you need to set VCOT<1:0> = ‘01’.
From Datasheet:
1.3.5 VCO TANK TRIM VALUE
The VCO Trim bits (VCOT<1:0>) in the
GCONREG<2:1> should be set for VCOT<1:0> = ‘01’
for the inductor values of the module.

That would change MC's value of Register 00 from $2E to $2A, and your value of Register 00 from $28 to $2A.

That might explain why the PLL won't lock.

[ecoli-557]

OK, changed all registers to your last post.
Added the changes to the 'send something' portion.
Still no received data.
Lost the IRQ0 pulses on the transmitter.
No IRQ0 or IRQ1 pulses on the receiver - have never had any.
Pulses going into SDI and SCK on transmitter.
No pulses on SDO or SCK on the receiver - no surprise there, if it doesn't trip an IRQ line.

I'll look into how to setup the unit for receive all the time?

[ecoli-557]

Crossed posts.....
I changed the Register 00 to $2A and it still reports PLL bit as '0'.
BUT, on page 30 of the DS it shows $00 for VTune to be determined by the inductors - not $01 ???
Forget it, I was still reading the 140 page DS not the 36 page one for the module.
I get it.....

The RESET pin is tied to an IO on the proc, it is currently held low, but the module datasheet says in a high impedance state.
Wonder if this is my issue? Should I let it float?

[ecoli-557]

Made PORTA.1 an input which is tied to the RESET pin, no help either.......

Went back to earlier code and changed register $00 to $2A and have my pulses out of IRQ0 on the transmitter, but still nothing on the receiver.......
Need a sniffer that works!