Looking at using chipKIT MAX32 ... NEED SOME HELP

Created Sat, 30 Mar 2013 01:04:28 +0000 by sealyons

sealyons

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 01:04:28 +0000

I'm looking at using the MAX32 for an upcoming automation project and I'm trying to get a better idea of where development is at this point. I have lots of Arduino experience (mostly with the MEGA) and the Arduino 1.0.1 IDE. I'm a little concerned about the lack of much activity on MPIDE development and just where things currently stand I have a bunch of questions at this point, so here's the list (help from anyone on anything is appreciated):

1. Is the best approach to work with MPLAB X vs. MPIDE?
2. What things can't be done with MPIDE?
3. How does MPIDE compare with Arduino 1.0.1?
4. There doesn't appear to be a recent update to MPIDE .. why is that? Is there active development? Is there a list of upcoming updates? Is there a list of known problems/issues?
5. Does anyone have an updated list of which libraries have been ported and tested with the MAX32?
6. Is there support for the advanced features of the MAX32 (i.e. RTCC, Ethernet, CAN, USB options, 256K EEPROM on Network Shied, etc.) within MPIDE?
7. What is the current status of the chipKIT PGM? Can this be used to provide a better debugging environment when using MPIDE or is it really only usable when working in MPLAB?

Appreciate any comments.

Jacob Christ

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 20:11:59 +0000

I'm looking at using the MAX32 for an upcoming automation project and I'm trying to get a better idea of where development is at this point. I have lots of Arduino experience (mostly with the MEGA) and the Arduino 1.0.1 IDE. I'm a little concerned about the lack of much activity on MPIDE development and just where things currently stand I have a bunch of questions at this point, so here's the list (help from anyone on anything is appreciated):

1. Is the best approach to work with MPLAB X vs. MPIDE?

I would say it depends on your goals. I use both (though I'm using MPLAB X for PIC30 dev not PIC32).

2. What things can't be done with MPIDE?

I think there are some limitations on compiler optimizations (but only if you compare MPIDE to the version of XC32 that you purchase). Also, you can't burn a bootloader with MPIDE, you need MPLABX or equivalent plus a programmer.

3. How does MPIDE compare with Arduino 1.0.1?

It doesn't, it currently at 0023 level but some efforts have been made towards 1.0 (and beyond) but they are not rolled into the release version.

4. There doesn't appear to be a recent update to MPIDE .. why is that? Is there active development? Is there a list of upcoming updates? Is there a list of known problems/issues?

There are very recent releases, but github recently deprecated the ability to host downloads and there is an effort on the way to move to amazon S3 for hosting releases. The most recent commit on MPIDE on github was yesterday.

There is a section of this message board (newly added so its pretty sparse) that is an effort by the core developers to open development up to the community and encourage more participation. You can find a list there.

5. Does anyone have an updated list of which libraries have been ported and tested with the MAX32?

This is always an on going concern. The trouble is not every developer uses every library so no one really knows. You can however post to the message board and possible someone has or is using a library you need.

6. Is there support for the advanced features of the MAX32 (i.e. RTCC, Ethernet, CAN, USB options, 256K EEPROM on Network Shied, etc.) within MPIDE?

Yes, with caveats of course.

7. What is the current status of the chipKIT PGM? Can this be used to provide a better debugging environment when using MPIDE or is it really only usable when working in MPLAB?

I'm not sure on this one, but my guess it can, you probably should shoot Digilent an e-mail regarding this.

Appreciate any comments.