Does anyone out there have a LabView VI that will read hex file(s) and then build a basic packet format of that data which will send (write) to a microcontroller?

[cksys]

Hi,

I'm trying to download some hex files from a folder into a mircocontroller and need some assistance. I have no problem reading the file sizes. The problem I have is I don't know how to convert the hex files in packet format and send it to the microcontroller.

Thanks in advance.
CH

[Rob Cole]

I have been dealing with .hex files for the last few weeks. I can do conversions quite easily (I have an extensive library of .hex subVIs now). What do you mean by packet format? Can you send more information? I could probably whip something up in a couple of minutes.

[cksys]

Rob, thanks for responding.

I will be using the serial port to download the hex files into the microcontroller. I was hoping I can send the whole hex files through the serial port into the microcontroller, but that's not the case. From what I know so far, you have to build the packet and then send the packet to the microcontroller. What I mean by packet format is this ||Cmd|Subcmd|Data 0|...|Data n||Cksum|

To make it simple. How would you download some hex files into a microcontroller (Flash) using LabView? Any information would be appreciated.

[Enrique]

What type of microcontroller? A PICMicro?

[cksys]

The microcontroller chip I'm using is MC68HC908Jl3 (4096 bytes of flash memory size/28pins). Appreciate for the help in advance.

[Rob Cole]

I have the full information on how to download to a 87LPC764 (which we are using) here in front of me. I am creating a LabVIEW program to work with and program that micro. They are all different (this one has some special timing concerns). What you would need is the "Hexadecimal Object File Format Specification" available from the Intel website and the programming specification for the micro. I am using the parallel port to control the program and enable lines on the micro while feeding data into it using the serial port. All the micro's are a little different though. So, what micro are you using?

[cksys]

The microcontroller chip I'm using is MC68HC908Jl3 (4096 bytes of flash memory size/28pins). Thanks for the info above. Waiting for any (LabView) info you can provide.

[cksys]

Rob,

I have some more information to my question earlier and hope this will help you get what I want.

I need to download the Motorola S19 file (example: S10A00F08818490F680D1D7B) to this microcontroller (MC68HC908JL3) through a half-duplex single wire serial interface. How do you send the S19 file using LabView to the microcontroller or how do you break up the S19 file? I just need some examples if you have any. Any information would be helpful and appreciated.

[Rob Cole]

Hmmm, I have never worked with that family of controllers or with an S19 file. Usually micros are straight forward. Put this voltage here, that voltage there and send your data here. Perhaps a pause once in a while. The spec sheets should tell you what you need to do. As for the S19 file format... Check with Motorola and see if they will give you the spec for it, then it just becomes a data translation problem. Sorry I couldn't help more.

[shaf]

Hi,
I deal with automotive powertrain controllers. We have developed a download tool using Labview but over a CAN bus.

Generally serial is not so difficult.

What type of controller are you planning to download to? What processor type are you using and what protokol type.

For serial applications I use K-line. Is this what you will use or do you have some other form of comms?

Can you send a .hex file as an example? Obviously for security you should remove some lines from the file. Do not remove the lines starting
:02
as these are required to understand what sort of memory structure you are downloading to.

Regards,

Shaf