Byron, My application has 2 separate coms ports. The UART is used for radio link coms and the bit-bashed link is used for coms to a PC or another micro controller. The uploading of new software must share the bit-bashed coms with whatever is used to control the device via commands on the bit-ashed coms. Regards David Huisman -----Original Message----- From: pic microcontroller discussion list [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Wollenberg, Frank Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2001 12:59 AM To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU Subject: Re: [PIC]:Specific Bootloader required On Tuesday, July 03, 2001 3:39 PM, David Huisman wrote: > I need to use that same port pin > in my application though during running of the user code. ie. > The Bit-Bashed com port has a dual function. > !) Bootloader upload of new user program, > 2) Bi-directional serial com link. David, i'm developing a bootloader over the internal USART. The USART is used in my application (--> RS485), but i must be able to download a new firmware over the same bus. This is analog to your problem. A BREAK condition is used to signal the start of bootloading. This is done in my application USART service. On detection the PIC starts the bootloading. Before i will overwrite my old firmware, i must receive a preamble. If this doesn't occur, the PIC resets. After power-up, the PIC validate his firmware. On success the PIC starts my application. If failed, the PIC checks for the BREAK condition. After that the PIC continues as described above. I think you can do the same concept of BREAK condition for signaling a bootloading request. Frank ------------------------------------- GSP Sprachtechnologie GmbH Frank Wollenberg HW-Entwicklung Tel.: +49 (0)30 769929-78 Fax: +49 (0)30 769929-12 eMail: f.wollenberg@gsp-berlin.de -- GSP Sprachtechnologie GmbH Teltowkanalstr.1, D-12247 Berlin Tel.: +49 (0)30 769929-0 Fax: +49 (0)30 769929-12 eMail: Info@gsp-berlin.de Web: http://www.gsp-berlin.de -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.263 / Virus Database: 135 - Release Date: 6/22/01 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.263 / Virus Database: 135 - Release Date: 6/22/01 -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.