Vdip1

[sky071022]

By the way, do we have to do something to the jumper setting for reflashing the VDIP1? Which mode of jumper should we use?

[sky071022]

How do we know that the Firmware has been loaded in successfully? The 2 LED's of VDIP1 flashes alternately on powering ON. When flash disk is plugged in, 1st LED ON and 2nd LED OFF for under 1 sec. After that, the state of the 2 LED's change and lastly, the LED state became stable (only LED1 is ON). Does this mean the FW has been loaded in (VDIP1 reflashed)?? The process happened in just few seconds, is this ok?

[mackrackit]

By the way, do we have to do something to the jumper setting for reflashing the VDIP1? Which mode of jumper should we use?

If you are using serial mode then the two sets of jumpers with three pins should be jumped across 1 and 2 or 2 and 3. It does not matter as long as both are the same.

How do we know that the Firmware has been loaded in successfully?

The easy way I think is to connect pin 6 through a level shifter (max232) and monitor the VDIP on a terminal. It does not take long to update/change the firmware, small file.

For that matter , use a terminal to learn how the VDIP works, practice sending commands and reading the feed back.

[sky071022]

We are trying to design a product to transfer data using FIFO mode. The problem now is it doesn't show any respond like when we connect it using UART mode. The LED's just ON alternately for 2 seconds only indicating power on. But, when a flash disk is plugged in, nothing happens. What seems to be the problem?
Should ground all the address lines? Any other hardware config?

By the way, can MCU 8051 be used as a monitor for VDIP1? Is it compatible with VDIP1? Or maybe any other suggestion for the monitor?

Thanks.

[mackrackit]

I have never used FIFO mode...

In UART mode I have the jumper as stated above, the two grounds going to ground, 5 Volt pin connected, CTS(pin 10) to ground, RTS(pin 9) to the PIC for flow control, TXD(pin 6) and RXD (pin 8) going to the PIC for data transfer. all other pins are floating.

MCU 8051is not a serial level converter. To connect the VDIP to a PC you will to invert the signal... MAX232 or similar.

[sky071022]

Any PIC that you would recommend to us?
We were planning to use PIC16F688 or PIC16F560. Would that be a good choice?
RTS of VDIP1 is to be connected to which pin of PIC? Any pin of the port?

[mackrackit]

Any PIC that you would recommend to us?
We were planning to use PIC16F688 or PIC16F560. Would that be a good choice?

I think the main thing to consider (in your case) when picking a PIC is to find one that has enough code space ram and I/Os for the application. The smallest PIC I have used with the VDIP1 is a 16F88. As the project progressed I found that I was scrambling for pins. But that happens with a lot of projects.

RTS of VDIP1 is to be connected to which pin of PIC? Any pin of the port?

RTS can be connected to most any pin, just consider ADC and comparators may be on the same pin and need to be shut off.

[sky071022]

Should I include in the program to make PIC to send data to VDIP1 only when RTS is low? Does RTS function in such way?

For the programming part, does it work by just simply sending command through TXD to VDIP1? Any delays to be considered?

Can I have an example of PIC code to make VDIP1 perform data backup of flash drives to another flash drive? We have added an external USB port for VDIP1, but we are just having problems with the programming. We've tried many codes that we wrote ourselves but most fails..