Bridge the gap between RS232 and SPI interfaces using MAX3100 and PIC18LF4550
From RS232 to SPI: A revolution in data transformation
Published Nov 01, 2023
Click board™
RS232 SPI Click
Dev Board
EasyPIC v7
Compiler
NECTO Studio
MCU
PIC18LF4550
Effortlessly convert RS232 data into the SPI format with our user-friendly solution, streamlining the process of modernizing data communication
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Hardware Overview
How does it work?
RS232 SPI Click is based on two ICs - MAX3100 and MAX3232. The MAX3100 serves as UART interface to the SPI/MICROWIRE compatible interface converter. In the same time, MAX3232 device enables RS232 SPI click to meet the requirements of TIA/EIA-232-F and also provides the electrical interface between an asynchronous communication controller and the serial-port connector. The charge pump and four small external capacitors allow operation from a single 3-V to 5.5-V supply. RS232 SPI click Uses an SPI™/MICROWIRE™ interface for communication with the host microcontroller (µC). Then, the MAX3100 is responsible for conversion from synchronous serial data from a microcontroller to asynchronous, serial-data communication port such as RS-232, RS-485, IrDA. In this case the
RS232 protocol is used. The MAX3100 includes a crystal oscillator and a baud rate generator with software-programmable divider ratios for all common baud rates from 300 baud to 230k baud. The transmitter section accepts SPI/MICROWIRE data, formats it, and transmits it in asynchronous serial format from the TX output. Data is loaded into the transmit buffer register from the SPI/MICROWIRE interface. The MAX3100 adds start and stop bits to the data and clocks the data out at the selected baud rate. A software- or hardware-invoked shutdown lowers quiescent current to 10µA, while allowing the MAX3100 to detect receiver activity. An 8-word-deep first-in/first-out (FIFO) buffer minimizes processor overhead. This device also includes a flexible interrupt with four maskable sources, including address recognition
on 9-bit networks. Two hardware-handshaking control lines are included (one input and one output). Because of the features contained in its modules, the RS232 SPI click can be used for handheld instruments, UART in SPI systems, small networks in HVAC or Building control, battery-powered systems, PDAs, notebooks and many more. This Click board™ can operate with either 3.3V or 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VCC SEL jumper. This way, both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs can use the communication lines properly. Also, this Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.
Features overview
Development board
EasyPIC v7 is the seventh generation of PIC development boards specially designed to develop embedded applications rapidly. It supports a wide range of 8-bit PIC microcontrollers from Microchip and has a broad set of unique functions, such as a powerful onboard mikroProg programmer and In-Circuit debugger over USB-B. The development board is well organized and designed so that the end-user has all the necessary elements in one place, such as switches, buttons, indicators, connectors, and others. With four different connectors for each port, EasyPIC v7 allows you to connect accessory boards, sensors, and custom electronics more efficiently than ever. Each part of
the EasyPIC v7 development board contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. An integrated mikroProg, a fast USB 2.0 programmer with mikroICD hardware In-Circuit Debugger, offers many valuable programming/debugging options and seamless integration with the Mikroe software environment. Besides it also includes a clean and regulated power supply block for the development board. It can use various external power sources, including an external 12V power supply, 7-23V AC or 9-32V DC via DC connector/screw terminals, and a power source via the USB Type-B (USB-B) connector. Communication options such as
USB-UART and RS-232 are also included, alongside the well-established mikroBUS™ standard, three display options (7-segment, graphical, and character-based LCD), and several different DIP sockets. These sockets cover a wide range of 8-bit PIC MCUs, from PIC10F, PIC12F, PIC16F, PIC16Enh, PIC18F, PIC18FJ, and PIC18FK families. EasyPIC v7 is an integral part of the Mikroe ecosystem for rapid development. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping and development thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.
Microcontroller Overview
MCU Card / MCU
Architecture
PIC
MCU Memory (KB)
32
Silicon Vendor
Microchip
Pin count
40
RAM (Bytes)
2048
You complete me!
Accessories
DB9 Cable Female-to-Female (2m) cable is essential for establishing dependable serial data connections between devices. With its DB9 female connectors on both ends, this cable enables a seamless link between various equipment, such as computers, routers, switches, and other serial devices. Measuring 2 meters in length, it offers flexibility in arranging your setup without compromising data transmission quality. Crafted with precision, this cable ensures consistent and reliable data exchange, making it suitable for industrial applications, office environments, and home setups. Whether configuring networking equipment, accessing console ports, or utilizing serial peripherals, this cable's durable construction and robust connectors guarantee a stable connection. Simplify your data communication needs with the 2m DB9 female-to-female cable, an efficient solution designed to meet your serial connectivity requirements easily and efficiently.
Used MCU Pins
mikroBUS™ mapper
Take a closer look
Schematic
Step by step
Project assembly
Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the EasyPIC v7 as your development board.
Track your results in real time
Application Output
After pressing the "FLASH" button on the left-side panel, it is necessary to open the UART terminal to display the achieved results. By clicking on the Tools icon in the right-hand panel, multiple different functions are displayed, among which is the UART Terminal. Click on the offered "UART Terminal" icon.
Once the UART terminal is opened, the window takes on a new form. At the top of the tab are two buttons, one for adjusting the parameters of the UART terminal and the other for connecting the UART terminal. The tab's lower part is reserved for displaying the achieved results. Before connecting, the terminal has a Disconnected status, indicating that the terminal is not yet active. Before connecting, it is necessary to check the set parameters of the UART terminal. Click on the "OPTIONS" button.
In the newly opened UART Terminal Options field, we check if the terminal settings are correct, such as the set port and the Baud rate of UART communication. If the data is not displayed properly, it is possible that the Baud rate value is not set correctly and needs to be adjusted to 115200. If all the parameters are set correctly, click on "CONFIGURE".
The next step is to click on the "CONNECT" button, after which the terminal status changes from Disconnected to Connected in green, and the data is displayed in the Received data field.
Software Support
Library Description
This library contains API for RS232 SPI Click driver.
Key functions:
rs232spi_reg_write- This function writes two bytes of data using the SPI serial interface.rs232spi_reg_read- This function reads two bytes of data using the SPI serial interface.rs232spi_digital_write_rst- This function writes the specified digital signal to the RST pin.
Open Source
Code example
This example can be found in NECTO Studio. Feel free to download the code, or you can copy the code below.
/*!
* \file
* \brief Rs232Spi Click example
*
* # Description
* This example showcases how to initialize and use the RS232 SPI click. The click has a uni-
* versal asynchronous transceiver which uses a SPI serial interface to communicate with the
* MCU. In order for this example to work, 2 clicks are needed - a receiver and a transmitter.
*
* The demo application is composed of two sections :
*
* ## Application Init
* This function initializes and configures the logger and click modules. Additional configura-
* ting is done in the default_cfg(...) function.
*
* ## Application Task
* This function receives and displays UART data in the "read mode" and sends the predefined
* message in the "write mode".
*
* \author MikroE Team
*
*/
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES
#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "rs232spi.h"
// ------------------------------------------------------------------ VARIABLES
static rs232spi_t rs232spi;
static log_t logger;
static const uint8_t message[ 9 ] = { 'M', 'i', 'k', 'r', 'o', 'E', 13, 10, 0 };
static const uint8_t RX_MODE = 1;
static const uint8_t TX_MODE = 0;
// ------------------------------------------------------ APPLICATION FUNCTIONS
void application_init ( )
{
log_cfg_t log_cfg;
rs232spi_cfg_t cfg;
/**
* Logger initialization.
* Default baud rate: 115200
* Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
* @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX
* are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will
* need to define them manually for log to work.
* See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
*/
LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
log_info( &logger, "---- Application Init ----" );
// Click initialization.
rs232spi_cfg_setup( &cfg );
RS232SPI_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
rs232spi_init( &rs232spi, &cfg );
Delay_ms( 100 );
rs232spi_digital_write_rst( &rs232spi, 1 );
Delay_ms( 100 );
rs232spi_default_cfg( &rs232spi, 115200 );
Delay_ms( 100 );
rs232spi_flush( &rs232spi );
Delay_ms( 100 );
log_printf( &logger, "App init done...\r\n" );
}
void application_task ( )
{
uint8_t mode = RX_MODE;
uint8_t cnt;
char txt;
if ( mode == RX_MODE )
{
if ( rs232spi_data_ready( &rs232spi ) != 0 )
{
txt = rs232spi_transfer( &rs232spi, RS232SPI_CMD_READ_DATA );
log_printf( &logger, "%c", txt );
}
}
else if ( mode == TX_MODE )
{
for ( cnt = 0; cnt < 9; cnt++ )
{
rs232spi_data_write( &rs232spi, message[ cnt ] );
Delay_ms( 500 );
}
}
}
void main ( )
{
application_init( );
for ( ; ; )
{
application_task( );
}
}
// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END
