Mark Rages wrote: >On 10/6/05, Bob Axtell wrote: > > >>Chen Xiao Fan wrote: >> >> >> >>>I have several questions regarding K185. This looks quite >>>attractive: USB powered, variable Vpp and Vdd, firmware >>>upgradeable through Web, built-in SMPS, design for production, >>>ICSP+ZIF socket. >>> >>>1) How about the chip support? Can it program dsPICs? >>> >>> >>> >>> >>The unit will operate on Protocol 19, a different approach to PIC >>programming. P19 is a high-speed scripting language; the programmer >>itself has no self-knowledge of the device itself. The user can program a >>script to perform a series of actions to, say, execute a bulk erase, >>etc, write >>the memory array, read the memory array, etc. What is unique is that >>P19 allows the user to write a special script that only writes the bootblock >>panel, or panel 6 only, or all EXCEPT panel 6, etc . DIY decided on this >>approach after becoming convinced that Microchip programming methods >>will be unpredictable. It has been a tough firmware job, because the >>method must be backward-hardware-compatible with a large worldwide >>installed base. >> >> > >Is the P19 spec published? > >Regards, >Mark >markrages@gmail >-- >You think that it is a secret, but it never has been one. > - fortune cookie > > > It has been published to a small core of heavy DIY programmer users for a month or two now. But the specs are not very helpful without a Win32 application. It will be general knowledge soon, but I have to finish the Win32 application first; which is not my forte- I am a firmware guy basically. It is being written in Delphi6 with all upgrades and some terrific new components. The present "MicroPro" will not be able to handle P19 because its basic approach is too simplistic. P19 will be free to all DIY programmer users, and all specs except the updater / encryptor will be freely available, in three seperate manuals: P19 MicroCode Scripting Manual (explains the scripting tokens); P19 CHIPINFO.DIY format manual, and the P19 Protocol Transfer Manual (how to control the programmer so users will be able to create their own applications. The firmware updater has a built-in decryption algorithm which will be active on the K185 and future programmers, but older programmers can utilize P19 by simply programming a HEX file. All control and data transfers are checksum-protected so errors are eliminated. DIY has been hit with pirate clones, and as a result, future programmers will be upgradeable by algorithm to registered users only. DIY will encourage Linux users to create their own apps to control P19. --Bob -- Note: To protect our network, attachments must be sent to attach@engineer.cotse.net . 1-866-263-5745 USA/Canada http://beam.to/azengineer -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist