How to modify the timing data

The timing data and mode parameters are stored in the EEPROM data memory of the PIC microcontroller. This can be edited and reprogrammed by the end-user to customise the parameters to suit a specific application.

You will need a PIC programmer to read and reprogram the PIC16F684 microcontroller.  I recommend the Microchip PICkit2 using the stand-alone application software.  This has been used in the guide shown below.

Important: 

Since the PIC microcontroller used in the F1 Gantry Race Start Lights project has the Program Memory code protected it is important that you DO NOT write the program memory area when writing data back to the EEPROM.

By default it will overwrite the program memory unless you uncheck the Program Memory Enabled option.

Step 1

Remove the PIC microcontroller from the control board and place in the PICkit2 programming adapter,  ( if you don't have one see here for details of how to make one)

Step 2

Click on the 'Read' button.  When it has finished reading the PIC you should see something similar to the screen-dump below.

Note that:

• Device is a PIC16F684
• 'Code Protect' is shown in red
• The Program Memory contains all '0000'
• Source shows 'Read from PIC16F684' so we know the data has been read out of the PIC
• 'Program Memory' check box is Enabled - This should be unchecked before writing back to the PIC.

Step 3

Uncheck 'Program Memory' enabled check box.

It is important that this is disabled otherwise when the modified EEPROM data is written back, it will erase the Program Memory area.  If this happens, you will need to return the PIC to us for reprogramming as it will no longer work.

Step 4

You can now edit the data in the EEPROM Data window.  From August 15th 2012 kits ship with V4. firmware

• The parameters that can be changed are shown below.  An example of edited timing data is show in the next step.
   
• The values entered in the EEPROM Data window must be in hexadecimal.  (see Decimal / Hexadecimal Numbers section below if you don't know what this means)
   
• If you mess up at this point you can go back to Step 2 and read the EEPROM again to clear any changes you have made.

Firmware V3. EEPROM example

 

Firmware V4. EEPROM example

Firmware V5. EEPROM example

 

Decimal / Hexadecimal Numbers

If you don't understand hexadecimal, use Google to do the conversion for you.  In the example below we want to convert 160 to a hexadecimal.  The result is shown as 0xA0.  You ignore the 0x part and use the last two digits for the EEPROM Data, in this example it would be A0

The largest decimal number that can be used in the timing data is decimal 255 (hexadecimal FF)

 

Parameters that can be modified

The table below is copied from the main project page for continuty.

Modes and Timing

Display modes The outputs can operate in either bar or dot mode.

Timing Data The timing diagram  shows all the parameters that can be configured.  These can be set from 0 to 25.5 seconds in 100mS intervals Default timings shown as decimal and (hex) supplied in the kit.  0  (00)  ; light mode value, 00 bar | 01 dot  0  (00)  ; pre-light hold time value x 100mS [TP]  10 (0A)  ; light 1 on time value x 100mS [TL1]  10 (0A)  ; light 2 on time value x 100mS [TL2]  10 (0A)  ; light 3 on time value x 100mS [TL3]  10 (0A)  ; light 4 on time value x 100mS [TL4]  10 (0A)  ; light 5 on time value x 100mS [TL5]  40 (28)  ; end hold delay value x 100mS (or maximum random time) [TH]  0  (00)  ; end mode: 0 for random end delay | 01 for fixed end delay  5  (05)  ; start gate output time value x 100mS [TSTC] This gives 5 lights illuminating in bar mode at 1 second intervals with a 0-4 second random delay at the end.  Start gate output is active for 0.5S

Step 5

The screen shot below shows the EEPROM Data with two values changed.  This is an example and you can of course edit all the timing parameters to suit your application.

• the 'End hold delay' value from 28 to 16.
  16 equals 22 in decimal so the end hold value is now 22 x 100mS = 2.2S
   
• the 'End hold mode' value from 00 to 01.
  This changes the mode from a random end delay to a fixed delay; in this case it will be 2.2 seconds since we also changed the 'End hold delay' value.

Note that:

• Source is showing as 'Edited'  This is because the EEPROM data has been changed from that read back from the PIC in Step 2.
   
• In the EEPROM Data section it shows 'Write and Read EEPROM data only'.   This is showing because 'Program Memory enabled' has been unchecked. 

Step 6

When you have edited the EEPROM data to suit your application you can reprogram the PIC by selecting the Write button.

Make sure that the 'Program Memory enabled' check box is UNCHECKED before clicking on the Write button - hopefully you're getting the message :-)

Once the PIC has been reprogrammed it can be installed back in the control PCB and tested.

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