Mechanique Bootloader

[HenrikOlsson]

I think "ALL" 16F and 18F might be taking it slightly too far as the PIC still needs to be able to "self write" AND it needs to have an UART. But what Dave is aiming at is the UMC bootloader in Microcode studio. It provides the "framework" for you to create a bootloader .hex file for any device, there's no longer any need to rely on pre-built files.

It's something I've yet to play around with but I see there are documentation available, always a good place to start.

/Henrik.

[Demon]

Henrik, what bootloader do you use?

Robert

[HenrikOlsson]

I've gotten away with using the "normal" MicroCodeLoader and the stock Amicus/Proton loader on my Amicus18 boards. But after "upgrading" to Windows 10 the Amicus loader no longer works due to its non signed driver so I need to figure the UMC loader stuff out to get those going (or just use a PICKit3 (but it's a lot slower than bootloading).

[PBCGuy]

What if we buy Mechanique Microcode Loader for 11.95 pounds from Mechanique?

Can we use the chips IT supports and crossreference that with what PICBasic Pro supports

and the use THOSE chips?

Will it even work with PICBasic Pro at all first of all?

Thanks!

[HenrikOlsson]

Yes, it'll work with PPB but you still need a real device programmer to get the bootloader into the chip the first time.

With Microcode Loader comes a bunch of .hex files, matched for specific devices running at specific clock frequencies. You need to take the appropriate .hex file, use a device programmer (PICKit3 for example) and program the PIC with that file. Only from that point and only if you actually run the PIC at the clock frequency the bootloader file was built for will you be able to bootload the chip using the PC application.

/Henik.

[PBCGuy]

Henrik

Thanks!

Okay. It's a worthwhile product then. Good.

If you go 29.95 for editor you get bootloader and a better editor. We'll leave that alone for the meantime.

Will Microcode bootloader work with Proton?

Have not checked supported chips in Proton if their are any at all except their Amicus 18.

I think it would be a stretch to ask if bootloader worked with Swordfish.

[HenrikOlsson]

Actually, the bootloader doesn't know a thing about which compiler you used to generate the .hex file so it should work equally well with Proton, Swordfish, C18, MicroPascal or any other compiler but you need to make sure that the compiler you're using knows about the existence OF the bootloader so it offsets the program in order to not overwrite the bootloader startup code/call. With PBP you use DEFINE LOADER_USED 1 to do that for the Microcode Loader.

In fact, Swordfish is developed by the same people/company (Mecanique) doing the MicroCodeStudio and MicroCodeLoader. The Proton IDE looks VERY similar to MicroCodeStudio so I'm willing to bet that they are pretty much the same with some minor tweaks depending on which compiler is used (ie Crownhill, the developers of Proton (and owners of this site) simply buys the IDE from Mecanique, just like MeLabs is doing). Screenshots on the both the Proton website and Swordfish website shows the same MicroCodeLoader as with PBP.

The Amicus18 does NOT come preloaded with MicroCodeLoader firmware and does NOT work with the MicroCodeLoader without changing the VID/PID parameters of the FTDI serial port chip on the board. For more information on that, see this thread.

/Henrik.