Intermediate
30 min

Bridge the gap between RS232 and SPI interfaces using MAX3100 and PIC32MZ2048EFM100

From RS232 to SPI: A revolution in data transformation

RS232 SPI Click with Curiosity PIC32 MZ EF

Published Oct 19, 2023

Click board™

RS232 SPI Click

Dev Board

Curiosity PIC32 MZ EF

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC32MZ2048EFM100

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.

RS232 SPI Click top side image
RS232 SPI Click bottom side image

Features overview

Development board

Curiosity PIC32 MZ EF development board is a fully integrated 32-bit development platform featuring the high-performance PIC32MZ EF Series (PIC32MZ2048EFM) that has a 2MB Flash, 512KB RAM, integrated FPU, Crypto accelerator, and excellent connectivity options. It includes an integrated programmer and debugger, requiring no additional hardware. Users can expand

functionality through MIKROE mikroBUS™ Click™ adapter boards, add Ethernet connectivity with the Microchip PHY daughter board, add WiFi connectivity capability using the Microchip expansions boards, and add audio input and output capability with Microchip audio daughter boards. These boards are fully integrated into PIC32’s powerful software framework, MPLAB Harmony,

which provides a flexible and modular interface to application development a rich set of inter-operable software stacks (TCP-IP, USB), and easy-to-use features. The Curiosity PIC32 MZ EF development board offers expansion capabilities making it an excellent choice for a rapid prototyping board in Connectivity, IOT, and general-purpose applications.

Curiosity PIC32MZ EF double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC32

MCU Memory (KB)

2048

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

100

RAM (Bytes)

524288

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.

RS232 SPI Click accessories image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
Shutdown
RA9
RST
SPI Chip Select
RPD4
CS
SPI Clock
RPD1
SCK
SPI Data OUT
RPD14
MISO
SPI Data IN
RPD3
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
NC
NC
PWM
Interrupt
RF13
INT
NC
NC
TX
NC
NC
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
Power supply
5V
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Schematic

RS232 SPI Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Curiosity PIC32MZ EF front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Curiosity PIC32 MZ EF as your development board.

Curiosity PIC32MZ EF front image hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
GNSS2 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Curiosity PIC32 MZ EF MB 1 Access - upright/background hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
Necto image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
Curiosity PIC32 MZ EF MCU Step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step hardware assembly

Track your results in real time

Application Output

After loading the code example, pressing the "DEBUG" button builds and programs it on the selected setup.

Application Output Step 1

After programming is completed, a header with buttons for various actions available in the IDE appears. By clicking the green "PLAY "button, we start reading the results achieved with Click board™.

Application Output Step 3

Upon completion of programming, the Application Output tab is automatically opened, where the achieved result can be read. In case of an inability to perform the Debug function, check if a proper connection between the MCU used by the setup and the CODEGRIP programmer has been established. A detailed explanation of the CODEGRIP-board connection can be found in the CODEGRIP User Manual. Please find it in the RESOURCES section.

Application Output Step 4

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

Additional Support

Resources

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