UIRT help please

[RobJ]

Hi folks.

I'm having problems getting my UIRT to work.

First off, I can't get it to program using Ruud's programmer, the new one or the old one. It keeps on throwing up an error at the end. When I program it with Danijel Pticar's programmer it works OK but when I try to test it it keeps on saying no 'OG' from UIRT.

I've tried every combination of hex file and programmer but still no joy. It's the same results from 2 computers.

I've made two of these so far but the results from each are the same.

Has any body got any ideas or trouble shooting tips for me?

Thanks, Rob.

[Wykat]

Programming the UIRT is sometimes difficult ;( . I'm not sure about the cause, but it helps to try many times. I've used several PC's, with some it goes fine, with other it requires a lot of luck.

Using the other firmware for the UIRT didn't work for me either. Programming goes fine, but the software just doesn't work with Girder.

This may not be a clear answer, but I would recommend to try the original 'Ruud' Firmware, several times. I noticed it's very PC dependent.

Wykat

[RobJ]

Thanks for getting back to me.

Which programmer do you use to program the PIC?

i.e. will Danijel Pticar's work for Ruud's Hex?

I've tried on a couple of PCs so far both win98. One of them gets nearly there but it's the last little bit it won't do. The other one crashes about 25% of the way thru the programing stage.

Cheers, Rob.

[Wykat]

I'm using Ruud's hex as receiver (never got transmitter to work). Couldn't get the other firmware to work.

Wykat

[Wykat]

ps. Keep trying to program, it takes a lot of times, but one out of xx works .....

Wykat

[Danijel_Pticar]

If you dont get any error while programing uirt is programed well 100% (when verify checked).
Probably you have hardware problem ..


Check first UIR mode not UIRT, If you got 'No OG ....' that means you tried learn stuff.

If nothing helps replace bs170, I always have problems with them, they are very sensitive. Somethimes uirt proggrams but wont respond, somtimes responds but wont receive etc etc ..

[Lloyd Gordon]

I had a lot of trouble at first.
http://www.ida.net/users/oe1k/uirt/uirt.htm
http://free-zg.hinet.hr/DPM/
http://www.geocities.com/jon_rhees/UIRT/
These sites certainly helped me.I recommend schematic 3 and the DP programmer on the DP site plus the 1.6 firmware and software plus an external 5V supply from the Jon Rhees site. I used all the above with reliable capture, receiving and transmission.

[RobJ]

Thank you all for getting back to me.

I've tried loading the software loads of times now, with DP programmer, At the fast speed it programs every time OK, but when I do it slowly it always errors, half the time at a random point. But the rest of the time it errors writting CFG @ 0x07.

I'll have a check over my board, I've already made two just in case I had made mistakes with one.

Thanks for everybodies comments, they are very much appreciated.
Rob.

[Danijel_Pticar]

Hi.


Try inserting 22pf caps. or short-circut XTAL (or remove it) while programing.

If programer doesnt report any error while proraming all data is programmed well but sometimes happens that data is shifted (programmed to wrong adresses) ..

[RobJ]

Hi folks.

Sorry about the delay in answering. I've checked over the board, tried the 22pf cap and removeing the xtal with no success.

I'm now wondering if ther is a fault on my pcb or a component so I'm making up a new one.

I'll keep you posted on how I get on.

Thanks to all, Rob.

[RobJ]

Hi folks.

OK, I have rebuilt the UIRT from scratch with new parts.

I can program the device fine but whatever hex or programmer I use it won't respond afterwards.

Any ideas why this is?

Thanks, Rob.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RobJ on 2002-04-03 01:15 ]</font>

[kari]

Hello everyone.

I'm a complete Girder newbie, but as I have (finally) got my UIRT to behave as I want it to, maybe the following points will be of some help.

1. Don't panic if Ruud's programmer finishes with an error. I've used it on three different computers and with two different hardware layouts, and it has always finished with an error, even when it managed to program the UIRT.

2. It sounds very much like you may be having power supply problems. I had similar problems with one of the three computers I tested, and they completely disappeared once I had modified the circuit for an external power supply. What I did was, I connected the RS232 ground to circuit ground instead of VCC, removed D2 (the 5.1V zener), and connected the external 5V supply to VCC and circuit ground (see Ruud's schematic). Note that I found that after this modification I had to install a jumper across the crystal (pins 15 and 16 on the PIC) while programming. (Thanks to Danijel Pticar for this idea.)

3. When you first test the UIRT, be sure to do so in UIR mode, f.x. by using the "Test UIR" button on Ruud's programmer, or by using Danijel's test application. This is the simplest way of working with the device, learning and replaying codes introduces a host of new problems.

Hope this helps,
Kári.

[RobJ]

Hi kari.

Could you make up a quick circuit diagram to show me what you did?

I'd be very gratefull.

Thanks, Rob.

[mcguyton]

I'd also appreciate the updated schematic for connecting this circuit to a 5V external power supply. I'm not quite sure how to do it.
Can you please post it?

Thanks.

[kari]

The schematic is now available onhttp://www.home.mastersites.com/kari/UirtX.gif.

A word of warning: This system works, including in-circuit programming, on my HTPC, but has not been tested in this, it's latest version, on others. Use at own risk :).

-Kári.

[mcguyton]

I can't get your link to work.
Can you double-check it?

[kari]

Sorry about that.

It seems mastersites (a free webspace provider) was down yesterday :( . It should be back up now. Please try again.

-Kári.