Linux: steps to program fullsize RC robot

[rwaliany]

Post here if you need help and this doesn't work.
Current site: http://ryan.scv.net/x2545/pic

Documentation IFI Linux PICloader setup Fullsize RC with MCC18 compiler:

Non-root setup (advanced users):
Same steps as "root setup"
 Additional steps
 edit ~/picloader/code/Makefile # change user directory to yours
 chmod permissions <device>     # on startup
 cp picloader /usr/bin          # cp picloader to binary directory as root

Gentoo (root setup):
cd ~/
wget http://ryan.scv.net/x2545/picloader/...der.0.2.tar.gz # get the file
emerge wine                        # installs package
wine                               # installs wine basic setup information
mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom        # pipe the cdrom to /mnt/cdrom
cd /mnt/cdrom                      # change local directory to /mnt/cdrom
wine MPLAB_C18.exe                 # start the install, install it to default directory c:/mcc18
cd ~/                              # change to home directory
(editor) ~/.wine/config            # add path
@ 77
- "Path" = "c:\\Windows;c:\\Windows\\System;f:\\;h:\\;z:\\"
+ "Path" = "c:\\Windows;c:\\Windows\\System;f:\\;h:\\;z:\\;c:\\mcc18\\bin;h:\\ifi-picloader\\code"
@ 90
- "Windows" = "win98"
+ "Windows" = "winxp"

cd ~/
tar -xzvf ifi-picloader.0.2.tar.gz # extract the file
cd ifi-picloader                   #
make                               # compile the Linux programmer for the RC
cd code                            # change to where all the code should be done for your robot
make                               # compile the code in the code directory
picloader FrcCode.hex <device>     # write program to serial device, usually /dev/ttyS0 com1

# Device samples
# Com1 = "/dev/ttyS0"
# Com2 = "/dev/ttyS1"
# Com3 = "/dev/ttyS2"
# USBSerial (pl2303) = "/dev/usb/tts/0"

Thanks,
Ryan Waliany

[Servo888]

Hmm no luck getting the MPLAB IDE to run under Linux.

I've tried, wine version 20031212, XOffice, and WineX. And they all give me the same responce. The Microchip MPLAB IDE logo loads, and just stays there. Doesn't do anything else.

Very strange; It would be nice of Micochip to offer us a C18 compiler... They can keep the IDE, just want the compile =\.

*sigh*. Gonna keep trying to get the IDE

[rwaliany]

The point of this thread is to show steps to bypass the MPLAB Ide allowing you to use any IDE or editor you want, anjuta, vim, or kate for example and be able to compile code and load it to the pic in Linux. MPLAB is limited, need I say more? MPLAB requires internet explorer 5....what for? If you want MPLAB to use the simulator, you should be able to wine the simulator dll mpsim.dll.

Once your done with these steps, you can edit the source files user_routines.c in any editor you would like, then type make in console and then picloader FrcCode.hex <device>, and you would have programmed the PIC with the same functionality as in Windows, with MPLAB etc...

[Servo888]

Let me see if I understand this:

The MPLAB_C18.exe is just the compiler; and not the IDE? (sorry, I don't have a copy of the CD; so I'm trying to figure this out.)

[rwaliany]

Yes, MPLAB_C18 is the compiler.

[ScottWolchok]

Originally Posted by rwaliany

Yes, MPLAB_C18 is the compiler.

You mean it's the installer for the IDE...mcc18.exe is the compiler =P
Note that there's a typo in the Makefile. The line that starts with MCC18DIR should read:

MCC18DIR=$(USER_DIR)/.wine/fake_windows/mcc18/

(The trailing slash after $(USER_DIR) was missing)

[rwaliany]

Originally Posted by ScottWolchok

You mean it's the installer for the IDE...mcc18.exe is the compiler =P
Note that there's a typo in the Makefile. The line that starts with MCC18DIR should read:

MCC18DIR=$(USER_DIR)/.wine/fake_windows/mcc18/

(The trailing slash after $(USER_DIR) was missing)

Note how USER_DIR had a trailing slash at the end of it in the example...also it seems that what the executable for mcc18 is, is dependent on your kernel I believe. On 2.4.23 it appeared as mcc18.exe and on 2.6.1-mm2 it appeared as whatever I had in the installation documentation. Hopefully, I'll improve it this weekend, I have to fix a few things. I've received some courteous improvements for the Makefile from Michael Wu I'll have to add.

Also, the project page should be up now at http://ifi-picloader.sourceforge.net .

Thanks for your interests,
Ryan Waliany

[rwaliany]

New release 0.3, it should be easier to install now and more user-friendly. Lots of makefile improvements with some suggestions from others. A serial reader will be coming in 0.4 which will allow you to debug using a terminal and read data from the program port.

http://ifi-picloader.sf.net/

[deltacoder1020]

heh, now all we need is a PocketPC running Linux and we'll be able to have a mobile programming and download platform

[mikew]

compiler is x86 only, so you'll need a pc emulator. dunno how well those run on pocketpc.

[deltacoder1020]

eh, so it's only a mobile download platform. either way, it would still be fun