kranenborg
Senior Member
PICAXE-18M2 and Comparators
Hello,
The PICAXE-18M2 (and possibly also the other M2 variants of the PICAXE) has two independent comparators which, although not directly supported by the COMPSETUP command like with the X2 variants, nevertheless can be configured with the same flexibility through direct POKESFR and PEEKSFR register operations.
Together with the DAC and FVR functionality of the M2 series a huge range of analog signal processing capabilities becomes available, since both comparators can have the programmable DAC or the FVR (Fixed Voltage Reference) as (+) input. Since the DAC range (32 steps) can be programmed in various ways itself (for example using the FVR which itself has three programmable output levels too), a large number of very useful configurations for analog signal processing is possible, like with the X2 variants.
Note that the comparator inputs can be programmed (via multiplexing) to be coupled with several Picaxe input pins or with Vcc/GND. Furthermore, it is also possible to have the comparator outputs directly available on two picaxe pins, allowing the programmable comparators to be used by the application hardware without any PICAXE intervention.
It is highly recommended to review the PIC16F1827 datasheet:
- Chapter 18 on Comparator functionality
- Chapter 16 on DAC functionality
- Chapter 14 on programmable FVR functionality
- The pin diagram of the PIC16F1827 for the various possibilities
for connecting the comparator inputs and outputs to the Picaxe legs
The DAC and FVR are directly supported by the 18M2 through dedicated BASIC commands.
A simple tested test code application is included below and as an attachment in this post. The test code contains all SYMBOL definitions for programming the comparators in various applications. An example app that could be built with the Comparator/DAC/FVR combination is a programmable noise canceler for pulse measurements/counting.
The 18M2 appears to be a worthy successor to the venerable 18X in terms of extra features available by looking "under the hood" via direct SFR programming!
Test code:
Hello,
The PICAXE-18M2 (and possibly also the other M2 variants of the PICAXE) has two independent comparators which, although not directly supported by the COMPSETUP command like with the X2 variants, nevertheless can be configured with the same flexibility through direct POKESFR and PEEKSFR register operations.
Together with the DAC and FVR functionality of the M2 series a huge range of analog signal processing capabilities becomes available, since both comparators can have the programmable DAC or the FVR (Fixed Voltage Reference) as (+) input. Since the DAC range (32 steps) can be programmed in various ways itself (for example using the FVR which itself has three programmable output levels too), a large number of very useful configurations for analog signal processing is possible, like with the X2 variants.
Note that the comparator inputs can be programmed (via multiplexing) to be coupled with several Picaxe input pins or with Vcc/GND. Furthermore, it is also possible to have the comparator outputs directly available on two picaxe pins, allowing the programmable comparators to be used by the application hardware without any PICAXE intervention.
It is highly recommended to review the PIC16F1827 datasheet:
- Chapter 18 on Comparator functionality
- Chapter 16 on DAC functionality
- Chapter 14 on programmable FVR functionality
- The pin diagram of the PIC16F1827 for the various possibilities
for connecting the comparator inputs and outputs to the Picaxe legs
The DAC and FVR are directly supported by the 18M2 through dedicated BASIC commands.
A simple tested test code application is included below and as an attachment in this post. The test code contains all SYMBOL definitions for programming the comparators in various applications. An example app that could be built with the Comparator/DAC/FVR combination is a programmable noise canceler for pulse measurements/counting.
The 18M2 appears to be a worthy successor to the venerable 18X in terms of extra features available by looking "under the hood" via direct SFR programming!
Test code:
Code:
*********************************************
REM Test of the internal comparator functionality
REM of the PICAXE M2 variants
REM (tested on PICAXE-18M2, but possibly also
REM available on 14M2 and 20M2 variants)
REM
REM Jurjen Kranenborg, February 2011
REM *********************************************
REM
REM The M2 variants of the PICAXE have two independent comparators which,
REM although not directly supported by the COMPSETUP command
REM like with the X2 variants, nevertheless can be configured with the same
REM flexibility through direct POKESFR and PEEKSFR register operations.
REM
REM Together with the DAC functionality of the M2 series
REM a huge range of analog signal processing capabilities
REM becomes available, since both comparators can have the
REM programmable DAC or the FVR (Fixed Voltage Reference)
REM as (+) input. Since the DAC range (32 steps) can be programmed in various
REM ways (for example using the FVR which itself has three programmabl output
REM levels too), an extraordinary number of very useful configurations
REM for analog signal processing is possible.
REM Note also that the comparator inputs can be programmed (via multiplexing)
REM to be coupled with several input pins or Vcc/GND as well!
REM
REM It is highly recommended to review the PIC16F1827 datasheet:
REM - Chapter 18 on Comparator functionality
REM - Chapter 14 on programmable FVR functionality
REM - The pin diagram of the PIC16F1827 for the various possibilities
REM for connecting the comparator inputs and outputs to the Picaxe legs
REM
REM All relevant control registers for the comparators
REM have been defined below using SYMBOL declarations
REM ==========================================
REM Test program:
REM - Both comparators enabled and with same (-) and (+) inputs:
REM - (+) input connected to the DAC output, which in this application
REM is programmed at 0.5*Vcc
REM - (-) input connected to C12IN0- input (C.0 / leg 17, see datasheet)
REM The (-) input voltage in this example can vary between 0 and Vcc
REM via a potentiometer coupled via a (protective) resistor to the input.
REM - The sole difference between the comparator application in this example
REM is the inverted output of comparator 2
REM - The output of the comparators is stored in the CMOUT register bits 0 and 1
REM and checked in a loop
REM - As a result the LEDs are toggled at approx half position of the potentiometer
REM - Note that it is also possible to have the comparator output
REM available on two picaxe pins, allowing the programmable comparators
REM to be used by the application hardware without any PICAXE intervention
REM Local test hardware configuration settings
REM ==========================================
REM --> Please adapt to your local application!
REM
REM LEDs connection:
SYMBOL LED_green = B.6
SYMBOL LED_red = B.5
REM Comparator (-) input at C12IN0- input (C.0 / leg 17 of 18M2, see datasheet)
REM is connected to a potentiometer with a protective series resistor.
REM Comparator [+) input has been programmed to be connected to
REM DAC output, so no (+) input leg needed in this test application
#Picaxe18M2
#No_Data
REM Define DAC range
REM ================
REM DAC config data for DACsetup command:
REM - DAC enabled (bit 7 = 1)
REM - DAC level not made externally available (bit
REM - DAC upper level = VCC
REM - DAC lower level = GND
SYMBOL dacdef = %10000000
DACsetup dacdef
REM Set DAC level at approx 0.5*Vcc (15/32*Vcc)
REM ===========================================
REM (Note: max DAC output corresponds to level 31 -> 31/32*Vcc)
DAClevel 15
REM Set comparatór 1 and 2 characteristics and enable them
REM ======================================================
REM
REM Configuration register adresses
REM (derived from memory map Chapter 3 of PIC16F1827 datasheet
REM and explanation of POKESFR register addressing in Rev-Eds manual)
SYMBOL CM1CON0_address = %1010001
SYMBOL CM1CON1_address = %1010010
SYMBOL CM2CON0_address = %1010011
SYMBOL CM2CON1_address = %1010100
SYMBOL CMOUT_address = %1010101
REM Configure the comparators for this specific app, see Chapter 18):
SYMBOL CM1CON0_data = %10000000 'Enable comp1, non-inverted output
SYMBOL CM1CON1_data = %00010000 'Select comp1 inputs: DAC output (+) and C12IN0- (-)
SYMBOL CM2CON0_data = %10010000 'Enable comp2, inverted output
SYMBOL CM2CON1_data = %00010000 'Select comp2 inputs: same as comp1
SYMBOL CMOUT = b0
SYMBOL CMOUT_comparator1 = bit0 'Comparator output 1
SYMBOL CMOUT_comparator2 = bit1 'Comparator output 1
REM =========================================
REM Main Program
REM =========================================
REM Store config data and enable the comparators:
POKESFR CM1CON0_address, CM1CON0_data
POKESFR CM1CON1_address, CM1CON1_data
POKESFR CM2CON0_address, CM2CON0_data
POKESFR CM2CON1_address, CM2CON1_data
REM Endless loop:
REM Read comparator inputs and show results
REM in LED_green and (inverted) in LED_red:
DO
PEEKSFR CMOUT_address, CMOUT
IF CMOUT_comparator1 = 1 THEN
HIGH LED_green
ELSE
LOW LED_green
ENDIF
IF CMOUT_comparator2 = 1 THEN
HIGH LED_red
ELSE
LOW LED_red
ENDIF
LOOP
END
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