Version 1.1 Firmware Available

[JonnyMac]

If you're using the HC-8+ as a slave controller for a Prop-1 (Basic Stamp 1), Prop-2 (Basic Stamp 2),  Arduino, or even another Propeller board -- and you have a PropPlug for reprogramming -- you can download the version 1.1 firmware for the board.

http://www.efx-tek.com/downloads/hc-8+_v1x10.zip

You will want to use the Rev E version of the code as we have not released Rev F boards yet, and there is a small difference (if you run Rev F code in a Rev E or lower boards, the outputs won't work).

EFX-TEK mode (SM = OFF)

• The serial timeout is shorter (was 25ms, now 10ms) to improve responsiveness
• The L (levels) command now has an M option (masked/multiple)
• The I (inputs) command now has three options: T (TTL inputs), D (DMX address), and X (XPort -- Rev F only)

DMX mode (SM = ON)

• Outputs refreshed 4x faster than before (now 8x per standard DMX universe period)
• Outputs can be cleared if DMX signal lost for one second or longer (select with A1 switch)

Here's an example of the new M option for the levels feature:

  SEROUT Sio, Baud, ("!HC8", Addr, "LM", 127, %11000011) 

This command would set OUT0, OUT1, OUT6, and OUT7 to 50% (127) without disturbing the other outputs.

You can now read the TTL inputs, the DMX switch, and (on Rev F only) the XPort bits:

  SEROUT Sio, Baud, ("!HC8", Addr, "IT")
  SERIN Sio, Baud, ttlpins
  DEBUG %ttlpins

  SEROUT Sio, Baud, ("!HC8", Addr, "ID") 
  SERIN Sio, Baud, dmxlo, dmxhi
  DEBUG %dmxswitches

  SEROUT Sio, Baud, ("!HC8", Addr, "IX") 
  SERIN Sio, Baud, xport
  DEBUG %xport

Notes: The DMX request waits for two bytes, and the XPorts request only works with Rev F boards -- if you use this on a Rev E or earlier board it will always return 0.

The firmware archive contains Prop-1 and Prop-2 test code so you can see the details of all features. I'm working on the documentation update, it will be posted shortly.