NU32v2: Serial Communication with the PC
Under construction NDM 1/25/2010
The NU32v2 has the ability to talk directly with a computer over a virtual serial port connection. This ability can be used to debug code, transfer data, and interact with the microcontroller using a computer.
Overview
The NU32v2 uses an on board FT233RL chip from FTDI to convert RS-232 serial communication to USB. Using drivers from FTDI, the communication can be opened by any program that can access a serial port. On the NU32v2 side, sample code has been created to enable the Serial module on the PIC32. Using this code you can write strings to the computer, and generate an interrupt when characters are received. On the computer side, several programs that can access the serial connection are discussed, including PuTTY, Processing and MATLAB.
Details
The FT232RL chip is hardwired to the UART3 module on the PIC32M795F512L. The Receive (RX) pin, G7, and Transmit (TX) pin, G8, are also brought out to the sides of the NU32v2 board.
The NU32v2 Serial Bootloader uses the UART3 module at 115200 baud, as does the code below, but this can be changed as desired.
Library Functions
Sample Code
The example
code
And more
PuTTY
Processing
MATLAB
More Information
More detailed information on how the the serial module on the PIC32 can be configured is on this page (DNE).