Alfat Sd/mmc

[eoasap]

Ron,

i will be reading in GPS sentances (USART), either parsing or selecting sentances, and outputting this directly to the SD card (also USART) in text mode as i think that would be the easiest way. did you code yours with picbasic? on alfats site they only have proton basic and assembly code and ovbiously want to use picbasic.

Glenn

[Ron Marcus]

Ron,

i will be reading in GPS sentances (USART), either parsing or selecting sentances, and outputting this directly to the SD card (also USART) in text mode as i think that would be the easiest way. did you code yours with picbasic? on alfats site they only have proton basic and assembly code and ovbiously want to use picbasic.

Glenn

I wrote everything in PBP. Text mode is the easiest and speed should no be an issue. I would suggest a PIC with a large amount of memory, such as the 18F2620, or an external EEPROM as intermediate storage. THe Alfat is a gas hog, so if you are using batteries, you are not draining 80 mils on a constant basis. I write 3K of data to the PIC then dump it into the Alfat in short bursts.

Ron

[eoasap]

Ron, i'm using the 18LF8722 so memory shouldn't be much of a problem. do you think you could help me get started? as i'm a little overwhelmed by it all. I know i need to try simple stuff first, like creating a file, writing a bytes to it, and then verifying it on the computer, but i really am not sure how to get started with it.

Glenn

[Ron Marcus]

#1.Are you using the chip, or the SD board?
#2. Have you had experience with the hardware USART?
#3. Do you know what version of Alfat firmware is on the chip?
#4. What are you using for a display? LCD/Debug/ICSD?
For test purposes, I would suggest plain old Serin2/ serout2.The USART just adds one level of mystery. The device comes up at 9600 baud. No need for a 232 converter, if you are using a PIC, only with a PC in hyper term.
I've got some routines, just let me know the above answers. Also, check the user's forum at GHIELECTRONICS.com

[eoasap]

#1.Are you using the chip, or the SD board?
The chip

#2. Have you had experience with the hardware USART?
no experience

#3. Do you know what version of Alfat firmware is on the chip?
no, but i think its 3.06

#4. What are you using for a display? LCD/Debug/ICSD?
LCD

For test purposes, I would suggest plain old Serin2/ serout2.The USART just adds one level of mystery. The device comes up at 9600 baud. No need for a 232 converter, if you are using a PIC, only with a PC in hyper term.
I've got some routines, just let me know the above answers. Also, check the user's forum at GHIELECTRONICS.com

ok, i'll work on trying to learn the serin2/serout2. so i'll need to setup the code @9600 baud. is serin/serout hard to implement?

[Ron Marcus]

My first suggestion is to buy the Alfat SD board with SD socket. It will be easier to work out the necessary code and limit the possible problems. Soldering that chip will be a major pain in the neck. I have ruined more than one until I discovered solder paste and toaster ovens.
Either way, if you limit your possible sources of trouble, you will be able to concentrate on the interface. The absolute best purchase would be the Alfat development board. I was too cheap to buy one, and paid for it in the form of an extended learning curve.

Rpn

[eoasap]

i already soldered it onto the board. i used to have to solder parts like these on all the time, so thats not a problem. when i got the chip, there was no documentation with it, is there extra documentation with the dev board ?