New Micros, Inc - Downloading Forth code to RAM??

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eds

06-16-00, 12:03 PM

Hello, I am new to the Forth language and the NMIX/T-0022 board, but I am familiar with programming the HC11 in assembly language. So far, I have understood some of the ways to perform certain operations in Forth, however they have only been entered line by line using Hyperterminal. My problem lies in the process of downloading a very simple pre-written code to a location in the RAM and then running it. I have used the ALT-D command in MaxTerm but the only thing that comes up on the terminal screen is the first line of my code and the task in not executed. I am guessing my error lies either in the format of my code, or that I don't know how to specify the locations in RAM to where to download the code. I am looking for a step-by-step process to successfully write, download, and run a very simple Forth program, such as outputting a number to one of the D/A outs, so I can go on further to acccomplish my goals. I thank anyone who can help me understand this Forth based process.Ed Seng ---------- Ed Seng

nmitech

06-16-00, 02:40 PM

I don't know if anyone has any luck to download FORTH code with the HYPER TERMINAL program. That is why i only recommend MAXTERM program that comes on disk with the purchase of a NMIX/T-0020/21/22/23. Always enter complete path of the file you want to download. Ie, <drive:>\<directory>\<or sub-directory>\<filename.4TH>If your NMIX-0022 Memory has a default configuration then you can start your code as,COLD HEX 200 DP ! ( beginning of external ram )( --- place you code here --- )

nmitech

06-16-00, 02:52 PM

Sorry, The Path on the previous post should look like this, [drive:]\[directory]\[... sub directory]\[filenam.4TH]

eds

06-19-00, 12:48 PM

I have gone from making it work to it not working again. At first, I realized I already had a connection with the board using hyperterminal. So when I only had a connection using Maxterm, it worked; I then realized I could type line by line if I wanted in the Maxterm terminal and also download code that worked!!! Today, I attempted to download the scanning A/D input channel code given in your manual. It had a few errors in download (such as not accepting single 0's to represent 00, and the 'AND U' line didn't work until i changed it to 'AND U.'), but I fixed them and the whole thing downloaded. Then, I went on to retest the simple code I used the day before, and when I downloaded it, it again just printed the first line, then a space, and that was it. I could no longer type anything, but the Alt commands still worked. I decided to exit Maxterm, reload it and then try the simple code download again; but again, just the first line (DP 1000 !). I also tried loading Maxterm from Dos, because I heard that windows might introduce errors; but the same result again. Could this be a spefic glitch in my Maxterm? Could it be that I downloaded an incorrect code that temporarily confused the chip?--if so, how can I clear it. The fact that I had a succesful download of a simple program at one time and then unsuccesfull at another tells me it is not the code, but something else. So you know, the simple code is as follows:DP 1000 !HEX FFF BD00 ! FFF BD02 ! FFF BD04 ! FFF BD06 !Again, thanks for any help you may be able to provide me. ---------- Ed Seng

nmitech

06-19-00, 01:50 PM

Here is the correct parameter setup for DP word,1000 DP !

devink

07-18-00, 03:08 PM

I have found that the ancient Win311 version of the accessory application "terminal.exe" works best for downloading Forth into RAM. It's compatible with Win98, but probably not WinNT because of the HAL interface.Set the "Text Transfers..." menu setting to "Line at a time", then select "Wait for promt string:", and enter "^M" in the text box without the quotes.

devink

07-18-00, 03:50 PM

Here is a more complete set of commands to download into external RAM with the goal of moving your code into PROM at some point.Be aware! VARIABLEs and USER VARIABLES (like DP) do not work well when left inside a PROM. NMI has some examples of how to deal with this. My next message will be my version of their ideas.( This example has a 32Kx8 NVRAM @ $0200-$7FFF and 8Kx8 SRAM @ $8000-$9FFF ) ( Needs NMI's $B7FF Autostart jump to SlowStart code in EEPROM for the NVRAM ) ( Also shows some other USER variable tweeks you may want )COLDHEX( CLEAR BATRAM & SRAM. ) 0200 9E00 ERASE( CLEAR OLD DICTIONARY WORD LINK IN RAM ) FORGET TASK( move DP to NVRAM (future PROM) storage location 0200 DP !( Do NVRAM/PROM application words here : TASK ; ( Now located in external PROM/BATRAM )( move FP stack -> allows 136 TIB input chars per line ) 01FC 74 ! ( FPS -NEW FP STACK RANGE = $0128 - $01FF ) 01FC 76 ! ( FPS0 -NEW FP STACK BASE = $01FC )( new TIB base = $00A0. Makes room for the following 2 changes ) 00A0 1C !( $1E = C/L -> TIB chars per line = 136. $00A0-$0127 ) ( Allows for verbose comments or dense one-line code compulsiveness ) 0088 1E !( PAD -> moved input buffer allows 38 PAD chars. $007A-$00BF ) 00A0 22 !( move RET & DATA stack, allows FP stack for 36 FP values ) 9FEF R0 ! ( NEW RETURN STACK LOCATION $9E00 - $9FFF, 120 values ) 9DF0 S0 ! ( NEW DATA STACK LOCATION $9D00 - $9DFF, 120 values )( ACTIVATE STACK CHANGES ) ABORT

devink

07-18-00, 04:19 PM

( Do PROM/SRAM separation. ) ( $200-$7FFF = PROM, $8000-$9FFF = SRAM )8000 CONSTANT SRAM ( 1st SRAM location is ptr to next free storage space. ) 8002 SRAM ! ( Initialize start of SRAM storage. )( redefine VARIABLE, 2VARIABLE, FVARIABLE words ) : VAR SRAM @ 2 SRAM +! CONSTANT ; ( VAR MY.WORD ) : 2VAR SRAM @ 4 SRAM +! CONSTANT ; ( 2VAR MY.DOUBLE ) : FVAR SRAM @ 6 SRAM +! CONSTANT ; ( FVAR MY.FLOAT )( If you want parametric CONSTANT's value in EEPROM. ) : EEC.CONST CONSTANT DOES> @ C@ ; ( B600 EEC.CONST MY.BYTE ) : EEW.CONST CONSTANT DOES> @ @ ; ( B600 EEC.CONST MY.WORD ) : EEF.CONST CONSTANT DOES> @ F@ ; ( B600 EEC.CONST MY.FLOAT )( Then set EEPROM values in a downloadable config file ) ( or through a PROM'd word to load default values. ) ( These values can be modified by hand or PROM'd word to update ) ( the values to meet changing system conditions. ) 12 B600 EEC! 34 B601 EEC! 56 B602 EEC! 78 B603 EEC! ( etc. )