JK microsystems Flashlite 186 User manual

Flashlite 186
Users Manual

Flashlite 186 User’s Manual JK microsystems
i
Unless otherwise noted, this document and the information herein disclosed are proprietary to JK
microsystems, Inc. Any person or entity to whom this document is furnished or having
possession thereof, by acceptance, assumes custody thereof and agrees that the document is given
in confidence and will not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part to meet the purposes for
which it was delivered.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice, and should not be
construed as a commitment by JK microsystems, Inc. JK microsystems, Inc. will make every
effort to inform users of substantive errors.
JK microsystems, Inc. disclaims all liability for any loss or damage resulting from the use of this
manual or any software described herein, including without limitation contingent, special, or
incidental liability.
JK microsystems, Inc. recognizes our customer’s need for a consistent product and will make
every effort to provide one. In order to provide the best possible product for all of our customers,
we reserve the right to make incremental improvements in our product designs.
Flashlite is a trademark of JK microsystems, Inc. MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft
Corporation. XDOS is a copyright of HBS Corporation. All other brand and product names are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Flashlite 186 User’s Manual Version 1.5
Copyright © JK microsystems, Inc.
All rights reserved
Printed in U.S.A.
Document Part No. 94-0025
Published October 2004

JK microsystems Flashlite 186 User’s Manual
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Limited Warranty
JK microsystems, Inc. warrants each Flashlite 186 to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase. This warranty shall not apply to
any unit which has been subject to misuse, neglect, accident, or abnormal conditions of
operation.
JK microsystems’ obligation under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing, at JK
microsystems’ option, any unit returned to the factory within 90 days of the date of purchase,
provided that JK microsystems determines that the unit is defective and has been used in
compliance with the terms of this warranty. If the failure has been caused by misuse, neglect,
accident, or abnormal conditions of operation, repairs will be billed at a nominal cost.
The foregoing warranty is exclusive and in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied,
including, but not limited to, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for any particular
purpose. JK microsystems shall not be liable for any special, incidental or consequential
damages, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise.
Important Notice
Life Support / Mission Critical Applications
This product is not fault-tolerant and is not designed, manufactured or intended for use or resale
as on-line control equipment in hazardous environments requiring fail-safe performance, such as
in the operation of nuclear facilities, aircraft navigation or communication systems, air traffic
control, direct life support machines, or weapons systems, in which the failure of our hardware or
software could lead directly to death, personal injury, or severe physical or environmental
damage.
Limited Warranty

Flashlite 186 User’s Manual JK microsystems
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Table of Contents
Limited Warranty ............................................................................................................................ ii
Table of Contents...........................................................................................................................iii
Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 1
Features........................................................................................................................................... 1
Operation ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Getting Started................................................................................................................................ 3
Hardware ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Memory Configuration ............................................................................................................. 5
I/O Configuration...................................................................................................................... 5
Digital I/O Ports........................................................................................................................ 5
Driving Loads with the Ports....................................................................................................6
Programming the Ports ............................................................................................................. 7
Asynchronous Serial Ports........................................................................................................ 8
RS-485 Configuration............................................................................................................... 8
Watchdog Timer ....................................................................................................................... 9
DiskOnChip .............................................................................................................................. 9
Jumpers................................................................................................................................... 10
JP1 - Socket Memory Type / Boot Memory Location ...................................................... 10
JP2 -Serial Port 0 Select ................................................................................................... 10
Cables and Connectors ...........................................................................................................10
Software........................................................................................................................................ 13
Supported PC BIOS Functions ............................................................................................... 13
Driver Library ......................................................................................................................... 13
Utilities ......................................................................................................................................... 14
UP.COM ................................................................................................................................. 14
DOWN.COM.......................................................................................................................... 14
FORMAT.COM ......................................................................................................................15
EDIT.COM ............................................................................................................................. 15
DOS .............................................................................................................................................. 16
XDOS Command Reference .................................................................................................. 16
QuickBASIC/PowerBASIC Console I/O ..................................................................................... 19
Specifications................................................................................................................................ 20
Contact Information...................................................................................................................... 22
Table of Contents

JK microsystems Flashlite 186 User’s Manual
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1
Flashlite 186 User’s Manual JK microsystems
Overview
The Flashlite 186 single board computer is based on the RDC R8822 microcomputer. The R8822
is a high performance, 16-bit, single-chip microcomputer that is software compatible with the
80C186 family of microprocessors. DOS compatibility allows development in a familiar
environment with a wide range of tools. High endurance flash memory eliminates EPROM
programming without worry of damaging the onboard non-volatile memory with repeated
program cycles. Applications are uploaded directly into the flash disk. Expansion options provide
high capacity flash storage eliminating the size and reliability problems associated with electro-
mechanical storage devices.
Software development for the Flashlite 186 is remarkably simple and quick. Programs are written
on a PC compatible computer in the language of your choice. After your application has been
compiled or assembled and linked into .EXE or .COM form, it is uploaded to the Flashlite’s flash
disk with your favorite telecommunications program using the X-Modem protocol. The
application can then be tested and debugged through the serial console. When the application is
running to your satisfaction, the startup batch file can be modified so that the application will
load and execute upon reset or powerup.
Features
33MHz RDC 8822 Processor (x186 Compatible)
7-34 Volt (unregulated) DC or 5V (regulated) DC power
512k Bytes DRAM Memory (16 bit data path)
512k Bytes Flash Memory
High Speed Serial Ports:
1 RS-232 Port with Handshake (TxD, RxD, DCD, RTS, CTS, GND)
1 Jumper Configurable as RS-232, TTL RS-232 or RS-485
Console/Debug Serial Port (3 wire RS-232, software UART)
44 Digital I/O Lines (2 reserved for console/debug serial port)
3 - 16 bit timer channels
Watchdog timer (generates internal processor reset)
32Pin Dip Socket to accept M-Systems DiskOnChip
Compact Size, 4.20" x 3.60" (106.7mm x 91.4mm), 2.1oz (59gm)
Driver Library (C and Basic) - Serial ports, PIO, alphanumeric LCD, and keypad
Overview

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Operation
The Flashlite is configured with two ‘disk drives’A: and B:. Drive A: contains DOS, the BIOS,
and utility programs essential to the operation of the Flashlite. Drive A: is read-only. Drive B: is
read/write and contains optional utility programs and is available for user files and applications.
The serial console port for the Flashlite has been implemented using bit I/O to keep the processor
serial ports free for user applications. The port is configured for 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit
and no parity. This is the primary mode of communicating with the Flashlite. DOS and the BIOS
treat this port as the logical devices STDIN and STDOUT, in place of a keyboard and monitor.
The console serial port is intended only for use as a development tool. While it is in use,
it disables interrupts for a significant period of time. This may cause disruptions with the
supplied serial port drivers and other devices and functions requiring interrupt support.
When power is applied to the Flashlite or when it is reset, the board goes through its initialization
procedure and then starts DOS. A simple (read-only) AUTOEXEC.BAT file is executed and then the
board is ready to use. The batch file performs several functions before the user is given control.
The DOS search path is set, the DOS prompt is set, the CTRL-C flag (discussed later in this
manual) is checked and finally, an attempt is made to execute a file named STARTUP on the B:
drive. This provides a convenient way for custom applications to execute immediately after
initialization of the Flashlite. If you wish to have your application start automatically, create a
batch file named STARTUP.BAT that invokes the program. Renaming your application
STARTUP.EXE or STARTUP.COM is not recommended. If this is done and the program locks up,
typing CNTL-C at bootup may not break the program and exit to the DOS prompt.
Although the flash memory devices used have a guaranteed lifetime of over 10,000 write
cycles, it is possible for an application to quickly wear them out. The flash memory is
intended to store programs, and setup data which is normally not changed. Avoid storing
data or frequently changed information on the flash disk.
Operation
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Flashlite 186 User’s Manual JK microsystems
Getting Started
To begin development with the Flashlite, you will need a PC compatible computer with a
telecommunications program and a free serial port. Connect the Flashlite’s Debug/Console Port
to the PC’s serial port with a 9-pin serial cable (straight through wiring). Run the
telecommunications program and configure the serial port for 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit
and no parity. Apply power to the Flashlite, using our A/C adapter PN 88-0006 or a source of
unregulated DC between 7 and 34 Volts, capable of supplying 2 Watts. Observe the polarity
indicated on the board silkscreen.
The Flashlite should respond with a welcome message and a B: prompt. Enter DIR to look at the
directory of drive B:. If you do not get a welcome message or echo of the characters that you
type, you need to check your serial port setup. To test everything but the Flashlite, remove the
serial cable from J6 and jumper pins 3 and 5. If characters typed on the keyboard are not echoed
on the screen, the problem is with your setup. You must resolve the problem before you can
continue.
If you were able to do a DIR, take a few minutes to explore the contents of the Flashlite’s file
system. You will find all of the essential utilities on drive A: and some optional programs on
drive B:. Drive A: is write-protected and cannot be altered. Drive B: is read/write and can be
changed or reformatted.
After you have looked at the programs on the Flashlite, the next step is to try to upload a file.
This is the procedure for getting a file from your PC to the Flashlite. On the Flashlite, type the
command UP followed by the name of the file you wish to upload. The Flashlite will begin
sending characters to your PC polling it for the file.
On your PC, start the transfer, usually by pressing the PgUp key. The telecomm program should
respond by requesting the file name and protocol. Enter the file name and select X-Modem for
the protocol. The transfer should start and when it is complete, you should get a new B: prompt
on the screen. If the transfer does not work, the problem is most likely the Carrier Detect signal
(pin 1 on the DB-9 connector) into the PC being sensed as low or false. Make sure that the signal
is at least +3 volts into your PC if you are not able to transfer files.
Getting Started

JK microsystems Flashlite 186 User’s Manual
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If the transfer terminated without problems, you have a working development environment for
the Flashlite controller. To transfer files from the Flashlite to the development PC, use the DOWN
command described in the Utilities section of this manual.
The Flashlite does not have a hardware clock calendar. The time and date will be maintained by
DOS until the power is cycled. If the correct time and date are required after a power cycle, they
must be set either from the command prompt or via user software. The time and date can be set
with the following commands:
B:\>TIME 13:30:00 Sets the time to 1:30 pm
B:\>DATE 10-29-2002 Sets the date to October 29, 2002
When power is applied to the Flashlite, one of the first things the BIOS initialization code does is
check for a CNTL-C character typed at the console. If this character is typed as soon as the board
is powered up or reset, a flag is set which overrides some of the initialization process. When
DOS runs its AUTOEXEC.BAT file on drive A:, the state of the CNTL-C flag is also checked and
any user application set to run on drive B: is not loaded. This insures that a hung application or
quiet console can always be interrupted.
If the CNTL-C flag is not set, the AUTOEXEC file will attempt to transfer control to a file named
STARTUP on drive B:. DOS also looks for and, if present, loads CONFIG.SYS from drive B:.
Getting Started