Serial LCD syntax help

[Archangel]

It looks like SERIAL communication is not the best method to make different equipments communicate together. It's cheap, simple, uses only one data pin but is quite unreliable.
What is then better? I2C? Yes, but then you need at least 2 wires (Clock and Data).
Is there another "low PIN cost" communication system?

You know what is not reliable are old prototype boards, that is why I prefer to use serial lcd to prove out code, as it uses 20 less connections. later it is simple to change over to lcdout routines, and if you use the lcd routine in My thread (mostly Darrel's code) then you can use standard lcdout type formatting so there is less to change.

http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4972 post 16

[flotulopex]

Anyhow, if you want to make a (acceptable) serial communication, you'll need to clock your PIC with a crystal.

So, if you create an application where timing is not relevant, you may want to use all your available PIC's ports and use the internal oscillator

Monitoring your program with a serial communication will, at least, cost you 3 ports (2 for crystal + 1 for serial comm.).

This can be especially critical when you are using small PICs.

Thanks for pointing to your routine - can be really usefull.

[BobK]

Hi Joe,

I got a hold of several of the kits that have the phanderson chip in them and NOW I see what your were referring to. What a hassle it was figuring out their code versus the straight forward method that I was referring to.

Thank you for the education!!!!

BobK

[Archangel]

Hi Joe,

I got a hold of several of the kits that have the phanderson chip in them and NOW I see what your were referring to. What a hassle it was figuring out their code versus the straight forward method that I was referring to.

Thank you for the education!!!!

BobK

Hi Bob,
Yep I have one of those backpack units, it works pretty well. The issue I have is I do not want to be stuck with a single source for serial displays. His formatting codes are just that, His. And someone up the street is using their own too, so how do you code to make use of more than ! source? That is why the code in the thread listed uses the same format as LCDOUT. Nothing extra to learn and remember, and easy to port back and forth.
JS

[Archangel]

Anyhow, if you want to make a (acceptable) serial communication, you'll need to clock your PIC with a crystal.

So, if you create an application where timing is not relevant, you may want to use all your available PIC's ports and use the internal oscillator

Monitoring your program with a serial communication will, at least, cost you 3 ports (2 for crystal + 1 for serial comm.).

This can be especially critical when you are using small PICs.

Thanks for pointing to your routine - can be really usefull.

Hi flotulopex,
There is another way, andthat is to use an dedicated External Oscillator Chip.
As I understand it you lose 1 pin.
JS