old ccs...new PIC..what's involved

jbmiller · Guest

Hello. I have..
PCM version 2.681 ( 1996)
MPLAB 4.99.07
PicStart Plus V2.00.07

While I'm happy using 16F84s, and 16F877s, I'd like to use the 16F648a.

What do I need to upgrade?
Could I just create a 16F648a.h file and 'go'?

It seems silly to use the F877 when all I use is the CCP1 module and 6 bits for an LCD.This is for a tachometer project and it is a bit of overkill.

I really don't want to buy all new stuff as I'm now retired and this is just a hobby.

All comment are appreciated.

Jay

PCM programmer · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 21708

The header file, 16F648A.H, will not be enough to make it work.
In fact, it's probably useless. The "guts" of CCS is contained
in the Devices.dat and PCM.DLL files.

My records show that PCM vs. 2.681 came out around late August of 1999.

Assuming that you don't upgrade your compiler:

1. You'll have to choose some PIC that's supported by your compiler,
and that has a similar layout of RAM and ROM. You may not be
able to find one.

In other words, don't even expect the built-in functions to work.
The best you can hope for is to have the CCS automatic variable
placement work. That will only work if you can find a similar PIC
that's supported by your compiler, and that has a RAM map similar
to the 16F648A.

Same thing for the ROM, with regard to automatic placement
of functions by the compiler.

2. You'll need to upgrade to a version of MPLAB that can program
the 16F648A. This will probably be vs. 7.01. (or whatever
is the latest version).

3. You will likely need new firmware in your PicStart-Plus.
Traditionally, this had to be done by getting the "windowed"
verison of the 17C44 that runs the PSP. You then pull out the
old OTP version and put in the new one, after you programmed
it with the new firmware. Currently, they have a new "PUM"
module that eliminates this step. However, it may or may not
work with your old PSP. You'll need to check this on the Microchip
forum.

jbmiler · Guest

Seems my Picstart Plus is to old to upgrade(kinda like me ?), so I'd need a new one,about $200+. That's too steep for me,so I'll just keep using the F877s instead of the new F648as. Huge overkill considering I only need one CCP and 6 bits. Oh well....never hurts to ask.I may try to create my own 648.h file and see if my PS+ will really program the 648a. We still have a lot of snow up here so I have the time and I like challenges.
Jay

Guest · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:38 am

Humberto · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:43 am

Hola Jay,

jbmiller · Guest

Yes, I could buy and use the 873, but I have a tube of 877s leftover from another job,. I got a couple of 648s as samples, didn't realise that I couldn't use the PS+ to prgram them like an F84. Space really isn't an issue and maybe having a lot of extra pins is good for the 'can you add... syndrom!'
By the way I'm in southern Ontario, Canada where it's about 0C. Been a long ,snowy winter up here,guess it doesn't snow in Brazil too often !
Jay

Humberto · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:28 am