dsPIC33CK bootloader ?

[RGV250]

Wimax, take a look at the Northern software programmer/Chip/Bootloader.  HERE

Hi Jon,
The chip version seems to good to be true, really cheap. Unfortunately for me, small quantities get dwarfed by the cost of shipping. Do you know if they have distributors in Europe or UK?

Bob

[JonW]

No, I don't, unfortunately, as I tend to use 8-bit parts and build my own HID and CDC USB device using the same chip and run a bootloader from Evan Venn.  Perhaps there are enough people on here who would be willing to split the cost with you?

I have written USB HID and CDC firmware for the 16F1454, and it is available for around $1 in small quantities and approximately 70 cents in volume, making the price fair for both the code and the PC software. It's not an expensive MCU and Microchip use it for their USB to Uart devices.  I would imagine it has taken a significant amount of development time to get the PC side right.  There is not much RAM left on those small MCUs after you have a USB stack on there, so I presume they leave the bulk of the processing to the PC side and use small buffers.

Wimax

I very much doubt they would be available via LCSC. It would be ideal if they were.  Maybe if someone who had a UK company selling boards (like John L), could contact them with a possibility to sell under license or provide the hex under NDA to be sold in the UK/EU.  I would be doubtful, though, as this would be extremely hard to monitor and control. They may provide a quantity for free issue, though, to be sold locally, as the cost is relatively small.

[JonW]

The reason I don't use them is that the stack doesn't come up as a CDC device, as it uses HID, thus any PC side software will need to use their drivers.  With AI now, this shouldn't be a problem for a modest coder.

[Fanie]

Tinybootloader.
It does not support the 33 pics, however, I'm sure it could still work for the 33's if you find a 30 pic that is similar.  If the bootloader simply perform the programming then the bootloader should do that, and does not concern itself with what extended functions the micro have.

Similarly you need not change the pic you program with a programmer if the structure is similar, ie the 12F683, 16F684 and others can be programmed without selecting that specific pic, as long as your code does not exceed the pic's program space, and if of course connected to the required program pins.

Programming: (dsPIC33) Uses the same XC16 compiler as PIC24, but requires special functions (e.g., from the libq library or built-in functions) to access the DSP engine.

There is a list of other bootloaders on the page too.
http://www.etc.ugal.ro/cchiculita/software/picbootloader.htm

[Fanie]

The structure for implementing a bootloader on both PIC24 and dsPIC33 microcontrollers is very similar because they share a common development ecosystem and memory architecture. Both families of devices can use the same MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) 16-bit bootloader, which can be configured to run on either type of chip using a host application to transfer new code. The key difference lies in the application code itself, with the dsPIC33 being a Digital Signal Controller that can handle more complex DSP tasks, while the PIC24 is a general-purpose microcontroller.

The main difference is that PIC33 (dsPIC33) and PIC30 are families that share a common bootloader architecture, including a two-part structure (target and host), but they may have different memory sizes and specific features like dual-partition flash, which affect the bootloader's configuration and placement. Implementing a bootloader is a standard process for both families, involving reserving memory, typically a "boot block," for the bootloader code and using a communication interface like UART or CAN for the host to send new firmware.

[Wimax]

News from Northern: they can ship NSDSP chips directly to PCB manufacturer in order to be parts of the bom for pcb assembly.

[Fanie]

Micro Robotics in .ZA is selling these kits.  My brother said he used more than 400 of them already with 0 problems.
At 70c it is a bargain for you.  Order some from them and resell there.
https://www.robotics.org.za/CH340G-KIT?search=CH340G

[John Lawton]

Hi Fanie,

good price, some other CH340 models don't even need a crystal, see my Amicus boards schematics https://easy-driver.co.uk/Amicus/

Can Robotics.org.za export stuff to the UK reliably, you've often said how difficult it is for you to import parts?

John

[Fanie]

There is an even cheaper and smaller one with built-in oscillator, I just saw it.
https://www.robotics.org.za/CH340N-SOP-8
CH340N USB to Serial Converter

I'm sure the owner of micro robotics will ship to you without problems.
If I need something he brings it in for me.  I can give you his contact number and you can whatsapp him.

It is not from China where the problem is, it is from the USA and Europe.  I was looking for something and they notified me there is sanctions on Sick Africa (which is a hoax), and they won't send to me.

[Fanie]

See in your PM if you got the contact ?