UPC EETAC Bachelor's Degree in Telecommunications Systems and in Network Engineering EEL

 

6-bit Johnson sequencer with ST/SP button (design phase #1)

P10

FSM, external interrupts INT0, INT1, state enumeration (plan X)

1. Specifications

Implement Johnson_sequencer_mod12 using a PIC18F4520 microcontroller chip. Software is organised mimicking a FSM and interrupt-driven to attend edge-triggered inputs such start/stop pushbutton and CLK.

Counter

Fig 1. Symbol of the device to be designed. External interrupts are used to detect counter's CLK edges and ST_SP button trigger signals(visio).

 

 

Features:

- Start/stop (ST_SP) pushbutton to trigger the operation and to stop it once the sequence has ended. The circuit is sensitive to the falling edge of this signal.

- 6-bit reversible Johnson counter sequence. LR_L = '1', left sequence; LR_L = '0', right sequence.

- The counter advances synchronously on the falling edge of an external CLK input of 10 Hz.

- SQ_out is a squared signal that is kept high for half consecutives states (fSQ_out = FCLK/MOD).

Johnson code

Fig 2. Johnson code.

Well, as you see, it looks that simply once again we are revisiting the same circuits from Chapter 2. However, it is not only so, because in the end, comprehending correctly the basic behaviour of such simple systems will give you a great advantage when considering larger and far more complex systems. This P10 is the key to open the door of professional embedded microcontroller applications (data logging, signal acquisition and distribution, motors, LED lamps control, robotics, etc.).

 

2. Planning

A) Planning hardware

The proposed circuit is represented in Fig. 3. Some pins must be selected to be inputs and outputs, and in this case, external interrupt INT1 is used to detect ST_SP active edge event (falling  signal transition) to start sequencing Johnson code. External interrupt INT0 will detect active edge (falling) from the external CLK.

Circuit

Fig. 3. Circuit.

 

B) Planning software

We will organise the software as in P10 FSM adaptation. Draw the hardware-software diagram. The idea of implementing a "FSM in software" with some functions related to hardware (drivers) and the interna output and state logic software functions that process RAM variables. 

Hardware- software architecture

Fig. 4. Hardware-software diagram.

Draw the state diagram. Timing sequence is only enabled when the machine has stated operating. While idle, only interruptions from ST_SP button are considered (represented in black), therefore, a pair od states for setting and stopping timing devices (this time an external CLK) are required before operations.

State diagram

Fig. 5. State diagram proposal.

Represent the RAM variables required in this application.

RAM variables

Fig. 6. RAM variables.

Draw the main ideas of init_system(). Configure input and output pins. Consider as well interrupts configuration.

Symbol

Fig. 7. Data direction registers configuration.

Draw the flowchart of read_inputs(). Basic function to poll input voltages as in P9.

Draw the flowchart of write_outputs(). Basic function to write pin voltages as in P9.

Infer how to organise the interrupt service routine ISR() to handle edge detections.

 

Draw state_logic() truth table

Symbol

Fig. 8. State logic function (CC1).

 

Symbol

Fig. 9. State logic flowchart is a behavioural interpretation of the truth table.

 

 Draw output_logic() truth table.

Symbol

Fig. 10. Output logic function (CC2).

 

Symbol

Fig. 11. Output logic flowchart is a behavioural interpretation of the truth table.

 

Organise a MPLABX - XC8 IDE project targetting a PIC18F4520 at location:

C:/CSD/P10/Johnson_sequencer_mod12/(files)

 

3. Development  - 4. Testing  interactively

A) Developing hardware

Draw the schematic of the application in Proteus Johnson_sequencer_mod12.pdsprj copying and adapting an example or tutorial.

Circuit captured
Fig. 12. The sequencer captured in Proteus.

 

B) Developing software

Run the microcontroller's IDE to develop and compile the C code copying and adapting an example from a tutorial Johnson_sequencer_mod12.c. Do it section by section according to your plan, testing if it works before adding new code.

 

C) Step-by-step testing

Run the Proteus simulator. Do it in step by step mode while watching variables and placing break points, specially for following interrupt flags.

circuit running

Fig. 13.  The circuit in "run" mode while monitoring the variables in the "watch" window.

 

5. Report

 

6. Prototyping

You're invited to download the application to a given training board an verify that it works as expected and the same as in the simulator.