Re: IFI Loader Reloaded
 

What info can you give me on how the code loading scheme works? I heard that it is based off of some Microchip reference implementation. You obviously figured it out in order to write this. I am curious.

Re: IFI Loader Reloaded
 

The PIC on the RC has a bootloader on it. There's read/write commands as well as a few other things. The IFI bootloader is a slightly modified version of the one put out by Microchip. Matt Fowler (FRC team #312) sent me a whitepaper on the IFI bootloader. The Microchip bootloader has the same protocol and both share most of their commands. For documentation on the Microchip bootloader, look for AN851 on their website.

Re: IFI Loader Reloaded
 

I haven't used it yet, so it may have this feature... but in case it doesn't.

It'd be nice to have a feature to disconnect from the COM port. This way, if you are using another terminal program you don't have to close it in order to be able to use that port.

Re: IFI Loader Reloaded
 

Where can I get a binary? :D

Re: IFI Loader Reloaded
 

It's been awhile since I've been in that part of the code, but I'm pretty sure that it does. The port is normally free. When the program wants it, it'll open the port, then close it when it's done.

I posted a link to a Windows binary a few posts back. I've had trouble making it work, so your milage may vary. It was compiled with Visual Studio, and didn't give any error (it obviously compiled), but it has problems with the serial port. When the program opens the port, it seems to crash. I haven't found the problem though, because if I run that same binary on WINE (windows emulator for linux), it works fine. I don't have access to another windows compiler though. I'd be great if someone came up with a binary for me though. :)

Re: IFI Loader Reloaded
 

Have you tried the Digital Mars compiler?
http://www.digitalmars.com/

Re: IFI Loader Reloaded
 

I'll give it a shot sometime over the weekend. I have a few different compilers... if I get one to work, I'll post it.

Re: IFI Loader Reloaded
 

The default microchip loader will also load and unload binaries from the controller, but this is a nice update.

However, this will probably not be able to update the master code, at least not in its original format.

Re: IFI Loader Reloaded
 

Firstly, yes I know this thread is like two years old but..

I was wondering if you continued work on finishing ifiloader reloaded..
Does it work with the 8722 chip?
Can you email me the whitepaper on the bootloader?

Thanks

Re: IFI Loader Reloaded
 

The response from my team wasn't as good as I thought it would be. I pretty much just stopped working on it.

Re: IFI Loader Reloaded
 

I would suggest you to add to the tags a word from the programmer, so he knows what program is on the RC at the moment.
Great work!

Re: IFI Loader Reloaded
 

Oh, sorry to here about the lack of enthusiasm imo i think its a great project