G8BYI Add-on Board for the Ultram VCO

[g8ajn]

The current full function G8BYI VCO Controller PCBs have a printing error on the label to PL3 the 3 pin connector to the VCO board, pins 1 and 3 are mislabeled (swapped) although the wiring itself is correct.http://www.g8ajn.tv/dlother3.html
The circuit diagrams of the version 1.1 and 1.2 boards and hex file are there for downloading.
So before assembling and hooking up your G8BYI board take a look at the page on the URL above. My thanks go to Tony G0AZQ for his assistance in checking these differences out.
John O'Loughlin in the States has pointed out that the potential divider resistors that feed the control lines to the VCO should be lower to ensure that the voltages from the 5v PIC chip do not exceed the input levels for the 3v VCO on the Ultram board.Drop R6, R11, R12 from 10k to 910ohm. If preferred a 1k could be laid on top of the existing resistors.
Dave G8AJN

[g4bbh]

I received my G8BYI add-on board and programmed chip yesterday and started construction today. I see the version received is marked QT110521 and is therefore the earlier version. Apart from some component differences and different programming procedure (and recent price increase on the chip) is there any functional difference between these boards?
Thanks
Dick G4BBH

[g8ajn]

No real difference except for the fitted link from pin14 of the IC for reprogramming,details are on the DigiLite website pageshttp://www.g8ajn.tv/dlother3.html. As you have the pre-programmed IC anyway it doesnt make any difference.
Ignore the silkscreen labels for the plug JP1 to the VCO board and follow the circuit diagram instead(applies to both versions of the boards).
Dave G8AJN

[on4bhm]

Hi,

How can i tell that the µP is programmed well?
there is no text coming on the display.

i didn't connect it to the LO board yet....

How can i test what is wrong?

thanks
on4bhm

[g8byi]

Hi.
A few suggestions for fault finding.

a.Obvious but can be forgotten.Ensure the contrast pot is turned up enough to just see dark squares on lcd.
b.Look for fine fast pulses on Clk , Data, and LE lines when a Up or Down button is pressed, also see if pulses appear on the four data lines on the LCD from the pic board when buttons pressed.
c. Make sure the lcd is based on a HD44780 type interface chip, most are for text based lcds.
d. Double check the lcd pinout Functions from its datasheet are going to the same Functions coming from pcb, and ensure wires go to the correct Function, not necessarily to the same pin number as shown on the diagram, there can be manufacturer minor differences in lcd connection pads, but the Functions will be the same.

The above will prove if pic is running. You are correct in that it does not have to be connected to the pll to show its programmed and running. But if the above pulse streams are seen then it will be, so please check the lcd connections against the pin Functions not necessarily the pin numbers.

Hope this helps.
73
Richard G8BYI

[on4bhm]

i'm using an lcd based on HD44100
is that the same?

[ON4AAH]

Hello,

I have tested with four different lcd display types.
http://users.telenet.be/on4aah/DigiLite/DigiLite.html

73's ON4AAH

[g8byi]

Hi ON4BHM
I believe that the HD44100 is an expansion chip to provide 2x8 character expansion for larger lcd panel, addition control would be needed to enable the extra lines.

Please see http://www.8052.com/tutlcd2.php

"The HD44780 or compatible controller is basically designed to build LCDisplays with one or two lines with a maximum of 40 characterpositions each. A single HD44780 is able to display two lines of 8 characters each. If we want more, the HD44780 has to be expanded with one or more expansion chips, like the HD 44100 (2 x 8 characters expansion) or the HD 66100 (2 x 16 characters expansion). Seen from the HD44780, the first line starts with 00h; the second line with 40h."

My design is for 1 or 2 line LCDisplay using a HD44780 or direct equivalent KS0066 (Samsung), or SED1278 (Epson). I can not determine if the HD44100 type is compatible with the lcd initiation code or indeed the characters sent. I suspect its not, but I do not have a lcd with that controller fitted so can't verify.
Sorry can't give positive yes or no answer!

Richard G8BYI

[G8GKQ]

Richard

Please could you tell me what toolchain you are using to get from the vcopll5.bas to hex? I want to try a few modifications (different frequencies outside the band) for another project.

Thanks

Dave
G8GKQ

[g8byi]

Hi Dave

Sure here is the ToolChain I used.

Crownhill Proton Plus Compiler and Mecanique Integrated Development Suit for Basic
Compiler= v3.2.5.5 , IDE =v1.0.4.6,
Analog Devices ADF4360-x SW tool @ Rev 3 - to derive the Hex register values for ADF4360.x

MikroElektronika PicFlash v7.09 with milroICD to burn the pic and test it on its development board linked to a Ultram pcb.

Hope this is what you needed.

Best of luck.
Richard G8BYI