chipKIT PGM Programmer-Debugger
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Debugging is key for identifying and fixing issues. Unfortunately, most of the Arduino-like boards only feature a very rudimentary way of debugging, using a serial console.
Serial.print(); Only two platforms feature a hardware debugger:
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Hardware
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The programmer-debugger comes protected under a transparent plastic. The front has three LEDs for power, activity and status.
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The chipKIT PGM programmer-debugger comes with right-angled headers to fit into the connector of the board.
However, the supplied headers weren't strong enough, resulting in frequent losses of contact and thus disconnections of the board. |
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I fixed this using straight headers: the debugger is then placed vertically, saving space on the bench as an additional benefit.
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Software
On the software side, there are multiple options.
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MPLABX is the official IDE from Microchip, based on NetBeans and available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. MPLABX has a free version. The C++ compiler, also free, needs to be downloaded and installed separately.
The debugger is tightly integrated into the IDE. However, this IDE doesn't feature the Wiring-Arduino based framework. |
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To play with the Wiring-Arduino framework, the recommended IDE is MPIDE. Using MPIDE with the programmer-debugger is also possible, but with the need of selecting specific targets to compile.
The standard configuration for MPIDE relies on a boot-loader in ROM. This boot-loader works with the FTDI chip to upload the sketch from USB into flash and establish a serial connection. The programmer operates in a different way, as it writes directly to the flash. As a consequence, the boot-loader is erased. Because the memory allocations are different, a specific target is required. This is done by selecting a dedicated board, here chipKIT UNO32 — MPLAB Debug, instead of the standard chipKIT UNO32. Check that MPIDE includes the pull request #459, which includes fixes for the chipKIT Uno32 board without boot-loader. |
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Once the executable is ready, use the Integrated Programming Environment utility to program the board.
As an alternative, the MDB command-line utility programs the board and launches a debugging session. |
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Finally, embedXcode supports the chipKIT PGM programmer-debugger. embedXcode requires the prior installation of MPIDE and MDB.
Breakpoints are defined within the Xcode environment. |
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The Debug target first compiles the sketch, then uploads it with all the breakpoints, and finally launches a debugging session into a Terminal window.
Here, the sketch stops at line 26 defined previously. |
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I've also investigated the eJTAGproxy driver that brings GDB compatibility but didn't manage to get it work.
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Conclusion
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At USD27, the programmer-debugger is an affordable solution to ease the development of large projects.
It delivers its full potential with the MPLABX IDE from Microchip. |
Pros
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Cons
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Wrap-Up
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