Configuring after production¶

After the board has been produced it has to be configered once to be able to use it. This configuration includes three consequent steps:

Downloading the firmware to the PIC-microcontroller¶

Step 1: download and install mplab ipe¶

Download and install MPLAB IDE/IPE*.

Info

If you are running a 64-bit distribution without multiarch support, you may need to install dependencies before you can run the installer. Information concerning the 32 Bit libraries can be found here.

Step 2: start and configure mplab ipe¶

Connect the Microchip Pickit3 programmer with the USB-Cable to your PC. More information concerning the Pickit3 In-Circuit Debugger can be found here*.

The below picture indicates the configuration of mplab ipe. Choose device PIC18F14K50. The tool will detected automatic, if it’s connected to your PC. Afterwards press ‘Connect’.

Step 3: Prepare connection to GECKO4Education¶

Prepare a Pickit3-to-GECKO cable as descripted in the below table.

connection PCB-Programmer¶
mini USB	6PIN CONNECTOR HEADER	Ext. 5V Power Supply
1	2	+5V DAC
2	5
3	4
4	1
5	3	GND/0V DC
	6

Clip a “jumper” onto the GECKO4Education as indicated in the below figure.

Connect the GECKO4Education to Pickit3 programmer.

Choose the source by browse to the hex file which can be found here.

Step 4: Program PIC 18¶

Press the program-button. While programming the status LED on the PICKIT3 programmer is blinking. After finishing programming, don’t forget to release the jumper.

Programming the test-bitfile into the serial Flash¶

Step 1: download and install quartus prime lite¶

Download and install Intel Quartus Prime Lite Edition v18.*.

Step 2: launch quartus prime lite¶

Step 3: open programmer¶

Open the programmer: → Tools → Programmer

Step 4: add binary file¶

Press button “Add File…” → browse to “functiontest.jic-File” which can be found Here.

Step 5: connect Gecko and choose hardware¶

Connect the Gecko4Education via a mini-USB cable to your PC and press “Hardware Setup…” button. Choose “USB-Blaster” as hardware device.

Step 6: choose Program/Configure¶

Set the marked boxes Program/Configure as indicated in the below figure.

Step 7: start programming¶

Press the “Start”-button to program the Gecko4Educations flash.

Step 8: finish¶

If the programming is running without failure. The functiontest program is set up successful as indicated in the below figure.

Testing for correct functionality¶

Information concerning function test can be found here.