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tangdfx · 05-29-2022, 02:30 PM

Hi ，tony

There are a lot of MUCs could be candidates.

But as you use the PIC asm to program， it is difficult to transfer the platform.

If it can be rewritten to C ， it will be easy to transfer to another mcu.

teenix · 05-30-2022, 12:15 AM

(05-29-2022 02:30 PM)tangdfx Wrote: Hi ，tony

There are a lot of MUCs could be candidates.

But as you use the PIC asm to program， it is difficult to transfer the platform.

If it can be rewritten to C ， it will be easy to transfer to another mcu.

Thanks for the help.

The big problem is changing designs and going back to the drawing board and then having to maintain multiple variations of the same program. I'm guessing the C programs won't seamlessly compile for different MCU manufacturers due to internal hardware differences.

Also, I use Pascal for Windows programming and I didn't learn C and most likely never will.

Microchip has moved away from assembler programming, so once my compilers are so antiquated that I cannot program in this way anymore, I will give it away. Hopefully this will not be in the near future though.

cheers

Tony

mfleming · 05-30-2022, 03:36 PM

(05-30-2022 12:15 AM)teenix Wrote: Microchip has moved away from assembler programming, so once my compilers are so antiquated that I cannot program in this way anymore, I will give it away. Hopefully this will not be in the near future though.

cheers

Tony

Tony,

Microchip's attempt to support PIC assembly in XC8 was indeed an initial failure. It has improved since then, so around IDE v5.45 I ported the MultiMod assembly code over to the pic-as assembler. Some changes are needed for the assembler directives, and it maddingly doesn't support text strings, but overall works fine. You can see an example here

https://github.com/mafleming/HP71MultiMo.../srcXC8K40

Microchip hasn't abandoned assembly, they just munged up their transition to XC8. As usual, the documentation could use some attention Smile

~Mark

teenix · (This post was last modified: 05-31-2022 12:14 AM by teenix.)

Thanks Mark, I've seen through Forums that Pic As is still somewhat immature, so perhaps by the time my assembler is defunct it will be ripe for use. Still, it may be wise to look into it before my grey matter is also defunct Smile

cheers

Tony

teenix · (This post was last modified: 09-14-2022 05:01 AM by teenix.)

Hi all,

I have made a bit more progress on the Spice.

Image below shows the display connected to the CPU/Keyboard PCB assembly. The keys seem to feel ok in operation when fitted to the upper case half and the copper side restraining strips clip on nicely.

The project is at the mechanical stage where everything you measure looks like it will fit until you try it. The weakness of the Spice casing and plastic PCB locking tabs are a problem as they don't like being fiddled with and tend to break if the board has to be inserted and removed during development.

It is slow going temporarily living in a small caravan.

cheers

Tony

mfleming · 09-14-2022, 12:06 PM

New project? Would this be a Spice CPU replacement board?

teenix · 09-14-2022, 12:56 PM

(09-14-2022 12:06 PM)mfleming Wrote: New project? Would this be a Spice CPU replacement board?

Yes, new CPU board on rear of image. Continuous memory, all Spice models, program storage, Bluetooth and clock. Some of the Spice keyboards are failing with cracks appearing on the printed traces so I added a new switch membrane as well. Also has a new battery connector board with USB battery charger fitted. I will be trying a LiPo battery as it fits ok in the compartment.

cheers

Tony

tangdfx · 09-14-2022, 01:51 PM

Great news.

We want to know when will we get these new CPU board?

BillBee · 09-14-2022, 02:27 PM

(09-14-2022 12:56 PM)teenix Wrote:
(09-14-2022 12:06 PM)mfleming Wrote: New project? Would this be a Spice CPU replacement board?

Yes, new CPU board on rear of image. Continuous memory, all Spice models, program storage, Bluetooth and clock. Some of the Spice keyboards are failing with cracks appearing on the printed traces so I added a new switch membrane as well. Also has a new battery connector board with USB battery charger fitted. I will be trying a LiPo battery as it fits ok in the compartment.

cheers

Tony

Wow! Today's after work drinks are in your honor Tony!!!

With Respect!
Bill

teenix · 09-14-2022, 02:48 PM

(09-14-2022 01:51 PM)tangdfx Wrote: Great news.

We want to know when will we get these new CPU board?

ASAP, but the required IC's are still not available until next year, so no rush just yet.

I only snagged enough to build a prototype.

cheers

Tony

teenix · 09-14-2022, 02:51 PM

(09-14-2022 02:27 PM)BillBee Wrote: Wow! Today's after work drinks are in your honor Tony!!!

With Respect!
Bill

I'll drink to that :-), but a lot to do still.

I should point out that due to memory constraints, I will only include the C models where there are E models of the same type. It shouldn't matter, as functionally they are the same except for the continuous memory.

cheers

Tony

mfleming · 09-15-2022, 02:32 AM

(09-14-2022 12:56 PM)teenix Wrote:
(09-14-2022 12:06 PM)mfleming Wrote: New project? Would this be a Spice CPU replacement board?

Yes, new CPU board on rear of image. Continuous memory, all Spice models, program storage, Bluetooth and clock. Some of the Spice keyboards are failing with cracks appearing on the printed traces so I added a new switch membrane as well. Also has a new battery connector board with USB battery charger fitted. I will be trying a LiPo battery as it fits ok in the compartment.

cheers

Tony

Dang! I have a 34C I munged up years ago in a drawer somewhere (if I can find it) . . .

Harald · 09-17-2022, 07:18 PM

That looks really good Tony! Let's hope components will become available soon. I have a Spice waiting Smile

Cheers,
Harald

teenix · (This post was last modified: 09-27-2022 05:37 AM by teenix.)

Hi all,

I put the USB LiPo battery charge circuit together, based on a basic data sheet design, I haven't tested it yet, waiting on 2 resistors that I thought I already had. The battery fits nicely in the battery bay, perhaps with a small square of sponge to hold it tight.

The board also has a spot for an IR LED for the HP 82240 printer, if I decide I can fit the code on the chip. Otherwise, I'll create a virtual printout to a PC via Bluetooth where each printout can be saved to a file and printed with a HP print font on a normal printer.

cheers

Tony

mfleming · 09-27-2022, 11:36 AM

Bluetooth. Yay! How many programs will the chip hold?

teenix · 09-27-2022, 01:44 PM

(09-27-2022 11:36 AM)mfleming Wrote: Bluetooth. Yay! How many programs will the chip hold?

Should be around 800 total, split between the programmable models.

cheers

Tony

teenix · (This post was last modified: 09-28-2022 08:29 AM by teenix.)

Hi all,

The Spice CPU board is taking shape. Still waiting on a few parts.

cheers

Tony

mfleming · 09-28-2022, 07:29 PM

Hummm, coin cell battery holder? RTC?

teenix · 09-28-2022, 08:24 PM

(09-28-2022 07:29 PM)mfleming Wrote: Hummm, coin cell battery holder? RTC?

Yup :-)

**rprosperi** · 09-28-2022, 09:48 PM

Tony, it's a darned good thing for all of us that your job forces you to hibernate in some places for long periods. What would become of us if you had a normal job and busy social schedule??? Looking forward to seeing this mature. Though I adore my Panamatik HP-34E, I have other Spice carcasses just waiting to be upgraded so that they can join the 34E in the working much better than new pile.