Intermediate
30 min

Revolutionize data acquisition and remote monitoring applications with MAX399 and PIC18LF4620

One UART, four RS-232 friends: CMOS MUX marvel!

UART MUX 2 Click with EasyPIC v7

Published Nov 01, 2023

Click board™

UART MUX 2 Click

Dev Board

EasyPIC v7

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC18LF4620

Optimize your UART interface and simplify serial data communication by implementing our CMOS analog multiplexer, allowing four remote RS-232 transceivers to efficiently share a single UART connection

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

UART MUX 2 Click is based on the MAX399, a precise CMOS analog multiplexer that enables pseudo-multidrop RS232 transmission from Analog Devices. This multiplexer allows multiple channels, in this case, four, to share a single UART interface. It offers fast switching speeds with a transition time of less than 250ns and low on-resistance of less than 100Ω while retaining CMOS-logic input compatibility and fast switching. The dual four-to-one multiplexer permits transceiver MAX3221 to form a network with the four remote transceivers connected to terminals labeled as UART0-UART3 in the upper part of the Click board™. The circuit's supply-voltage range (3V to 5.5V) makes it compatible with 3V and 5V logic. MAX399 receives its power directly from the power terminals of MAX3221, whose ±5.5V outputs come

from an internal charge pump. The multiplexer handles rail-to-rail signals, so obtaining its power from MAX3221 ensures that RS232 signals pass directly through, regardless of amplitude. The UART MUX Click communicates with MCU through MAX3221 using the UART interface for the data transfer. The MAX3221 can run at data rates up to 250 kbps while maintaining RS232-compliant output levels. Channel selection is performed through a set of specific GPIO pins, labeled as A0 and A1, routed on the CS and RST pins of the mikroBUS™ socket. Selecting channel 1, for instance, enables MAX3221 to communicate with UART0 without being loaded by UART1 to UART3. Pulldown resistors inside the remote transceivers force the outputs of un-selected receivers to a known state. In addition to a

channel selection, this Click board™ also has an automatic power-down feature that can be turned off when ON and OFF pins are high, routed on the PWM and AN pins of the mikroBUS™ socket. Also, it uses the interrupt pin of the mikroBUS™ labeled as INV as an invalid indicator, making interfacing with the RS232 simple and easy, indicating whether a valid RS232 signal is present. 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.

UART MUX 2 Click top side image
UART MUX 2 Click bottom side image

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.

EasyPIC v7 horizontal image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC

MCU Memory (KB)

64

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

40

RAM (Bytes)

3968

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

Force OFF
RA2
AN
UART Channel Selection
RE1
RST
UART Channel Selection
RE0
CS
NC
NC
SCK
NC
NC
MISO
NC
NC
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
Force ON
RC0
PWM
Valid RS232 Signal Indication
RB0
INT
UART TX
RC6
TX
UART RX
RC7
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
Power Supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Schematic

UART MUX 2 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

EasyPIC v7 front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the EasyPIC v7 as your development board.

EasyPIC v7 front image hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click front image hardware assembly
MCU DIP 40 hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
EasyPIC v7 Access MB 1 - upright/background hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
NECTO Compiler Selection Step Image hardware assembly
NECTO Output Selection Step Image hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Necto DIP image step 7 hardware assembly
EasyPIC PRO v7a Display Selection Necto Step hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Necto PreFlash Image hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output via UART Mode

1. Once the code example is loaded, pressing the "FLASH" button initiates the build process, and programs it on the created setup.

2. After the programming is completed, click on the Tools icon in the upper-right panel, and select the UART Terminal.

3. After opening the UART Terminal tab, first check the baud rate setting in the Options menu (default is 115200). If this parameter is correct, activate the terminal by clicking the "CONNECT" button.

4. Now terminal status changes from Disconnected to Connected in green, and the data is displayed in the Received data field.

UART_Application_Output

Software Support

Library Description

This library contains API for UART MUX 2 Click driver.

Key functions:

  • uartmux2_set_operation_mode - UART MUX 2 set operation mode function

  • uartmux2_set_channel - UART MUX 2 set channel function

  • uartmux2_send_data - UART MUX 2 data writing function

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 main.c
 * @brief UART MUX 2 Click Example.
 *
 * # Description
 * This library contains API for UART MUX 2 Click driver.
 * This example transmits/receives and processes data from UART MUX 2 clicks.
 * The library initializes and defines the UART bus drivers 
 * to transmit or receive data. 
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * Initializes driver and set UART channel module.
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * Transmitter/Receiver task depend on uncommented code.
 * Receiver logging each received byte to the UART for data logging,
 * while transmitted send messages every 2 seconds.
 *
 * ## Additional Function
 * - static void uartmux2_clear_app_buf ( void ) - Function clears memory of app_buf.
 * - static err_t uartmux2_process ( void ) - The general process of collecting presponce
 * that a module sends.
 *
 * @author Nenad Filipovic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "uartmux2.h"

#define PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE 200

#define TRANSMITTER
// #define RECIEVER

static uartmux2_t uartmux2;
static log_t logger;
static uint8_t uart_ch;
static char app_buf[ PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE ] = { 0 };
static int32_t app_buf_len = 0;
static int32_t app_buf_cnt = 0;

unsigned char demo_message[ 9 ] = { 'M', 'i', 'k', 'r', 'o', 'E', 13, 10, 0 };

/**
 * @brief UART MUX 2 clearing application buffer.
 * @details This function clears memory of application buffer and reset it's length and counter.
 * @note None.
 */
static void uartmux2_clear_app_buf ( void );

/**
 * @brief UART MUX 2 data reading function.
 * @details This function reads data from device and concats data to application buffer.
 *
 * @return @li @c  0 - Read some data.
 *         @li @c -1 - Nothing is read.
 *         @li @c -2 - Application buffer overflow.
 *
 * See #err_t definition for detailed explanation.
 * @note None.
 */
static err_t uartmux2_process ( void );

void application_init ( void ) {
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    uartmux2_cfg_t uartmux2_cfg;  /**< Click config object. */

    /** 
     * 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_printf( &logger, "\r\n Application Init \r\n" );

    // Click initialization.

    uartmux2_cfg_setup( &uartmux2_cfg );
    UARTMUX2_MAP_MIKROBUS( uartmux2_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    err_t init_flag  = uartmux2_init( &uartmux2, &uartmux2_cfg );
    if ( init_flag == UART_ERROR ) {
        log_error( &logger, " Application Init Error. " );
        log_info( &logger, " Please, run program again... " );

        for ( ; ; );
    }

    uartmux2_default_cfg ( &uartmux2 );
    app_buf_len = 0;
    app_buf_cnt = 0;
    log_printf( &logger, "\r\n Application Task \r\n" );
    log_printf( &logger, "------------------\r\n" );
    Delay_ms( 500 );
    
    #ifdef TRANSMITTER
    
        log_printf( &logger, "    Send data:    \r\n" );
        log_printf( &logger, "      mikroE      \r\n" );
        log_printf( &logger, "------------------\r\n" );
        log_printf( &logger, "  Transmit data   \r\n" );
        Delay_ms( 1000 );

    #endif

    #ifdef RECIEVER

        uart_ch = UARTMUX2_CHANNEL_0;
        log_printf( &logger, "   Receive data  \r\n" );
        log_printf( &logger, "      UART%u \r\n", ( uint16_t ) uart_ch );
        uartmux2_set_channel( &uartmux2, uart_ch );
        Delay_ms( 2000 );
    
    #endif
        
    log_printf( &logger, "------------------\r\n" );
}

void application_task ( void ) {
    #ifdef TRANSMITTER
    
    for ( uart_ch = UARTMUX2_CHANNEL_0; uart_ch <= UARTMUX2_CHANNEL_3; uart_ch++ ) {
        uartmux2_set_channel( &uartmux2, uart_ch );
        Delay_ms( 100 );
        uartmux2_send_data( &uartmux2, demo_message );
        log_printf( &logger, "  UART%u : ", ( uint16_t ) uart_ch ); 
    
        for ( uint8_t cnt = 0; cnt < 9; cnt ++ ) {
            log_printf( &logger, "%c", demo_message[ cnt ] );
            Delay_ms( 100 );
        }     
    }
    
    log_printf( &logger, "------------------\r\n" );
    Delay_ms( 100 );
    
    
    #endif
    
    #ifdef RECIEVER
    
    uartmux2_process( );

    if ( app_buf_len > 0 ) {
        log_printf( &logger, "%s", app_buf );
        uartmux2_clear_app_buf(  );
    }
    
    #endif
}

void main ( void ) {
    application_init( );

    for ( ; ; ) {
        application_task( );
    }
}

static void uartmux2_clear_app_buf ( void ) {
    memset( app_buf, 0, app_buf_len );
    app_buf_len = 0;
    app_buf_cnt = 0;
}

static err_t uartmux2_process ( void ) {
    int32_t rx_size;
    char rx_buff[ PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE ] = { 0 };

    rx_size = uartmux2_generic_read( &uartmux2, rx_buff, PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE );

    if ( rx_size > 0 ) {
        int32_t buf_cnt = 0;

        if ( app_buf_len + rx_size >= PROCESS_BUFFER_SIZE ) {
            uartmux2_clear_app_buf(  );
            return -2;
        } else {
            buf_cnt = app_buf_len;
            app_buf_len += rx_size;
        }

        for ( int32_t rx_cnt = 0; rx_cnt < rx_size; rx_cnt++ ) {
            if ( rx_buff[ rx_cnt ] != 0 ) {
                app_buf[ ( buf_cnt + rx_cnt ) ] = rx_buff[ rx_cnt ];
            } else {
                app_buf_len--;
            }

        }
        return 0;
    }
    return -1;
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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