Lab 0: Software Installation
This is a lab orientation which requires no lab report. Instead, install the following software, then show a TA that the software has been installed before leaving the lab. Again, there is no lab report for this lab; all other labs require a report.
Software Download and Installation:
Ensure that you have a computer that meets the requirements of the Bagley College of Engineering.
Intel Quartus Prime Lite 17.1 (includes ModelSim): Quartus-lite-17.1.0.590-windows.tar.
We will be using this software for Lab 1 only. After Lab 1 has been completed, you may uninstall it.
This is a large download (5.82 GB). This version is free and does not require a license.
If you already have a different version of Quartus, that's fine as long as it can compile and simulate the project below (under Installation Checks - Quartus)
Quartus Installation
Download the .tar file to your computer.
Right-click and extract all. This will create a subdirectory named Quartus-lite-17.1.0.590-windows
In this subdirectory, doubleclick setup.bat.
Accept the terms. Use the default installation directory: C:\intelFPGA_lite\17.1
Leave the default components selected. Installation time depends on the PC, but expect about 20 minutes.
Complete the Device Driver Installation Wizard
Microchip MPLAB X: MPLABX-vx.xx-windows-installer.exe.
We will be using MPLAB all semester, starting with Lab 2. It is very important that your installation is performed properly.
Install in the default location chosen by the installer!!!
If you have MPLAB 8 or an older version of MPLAB X, you must uninstall it first.
MPLAB XC16 C-Compiler (Windows) : xc16-vx.xx-full-install-windows64.exe.
Make sure you download the XC16 compiler, not the XC8 or XC32 compiler.
MPLAB (above) must be installed before the compiler.
Close MPLAB if you've opened it before you install the compiler.
Install in the default location chosen by the installer!!!
Check the box to add XC16 to your Path.
No new programs will show up on your start menu; instead, the compiler will now be available in MPLAB.
Note: If clicking on the next three links doesn't download the file, try right clicking and "Save Link As..." If that still doesn't work you may need to use a different browser or change your security settings.
Hardware Labs archive: pic24_code_examples.zip
This contains code examples from the textbook. We will be using these all semester, starting with Lab 2.
Create a folder named C:\ece3724
To do this, first open File Explorer/Windows Explorer.
Then open "This PC" in the left sidebar.
From there, open "Local Disk (C:)".
Hit Ctrl-Shift-N to make a new folder. Name it "ece3724".
Download this archive to this folder
Extract the files from the archive. You should now have a subfolder called pic24_code_examples.
Number Sequencing Computer archive: nsc_altera.zip
This will be used for Lab 1.
Download this to C:\ece3724
Extract the files from the archive. You should now have a subfolder called nsc_altera.
BullyCPP: bullyCPPw.exe
This is a PC-side driver for the Bully Bootloader, a bootloader for the PIC24 and dsPIC33 series of microcontrollers. We'll use it starting in Lab 6.
Download this to C:\ece3724.
Doubleclick it to run - there is no installation.
See the github page for more information.
If you open File Explorer, you should hopefully see something like this:
Installation Checks:
Quartus/Modelsim
Run Quartus (should be in start menu under Intel FPGA folder).
File ->Open Project (not file) C:\ece3724\nsc_altera\nsc.qpf
Processing -> Start Compilation (Ctrl-L)
The project should compile successfully, and ModelSim should open automatically, resulting in something like the following two screens:
Quartus (top) and ModelSim
MPLAB
Run MPLAB X IDE (not IPE!)
File->Open Project C:\ece3724\pic24_code_examples\chap3\mptst_word.X
Production -> Build Project (F11)
You should get a green "BUILD SUCCESSFUL" message in the compilation output:
MPLAB C-Compiler
Run MPLAB X IDE (or File -> Close All Projects if it's still open)
File->Open Project C:\ece3724\pic24_code_examples\chap8\ledflash.X
Production -> Build Project (F11)
You should get a green "BUILD SUCCESSFUL" message in the compilation output:
BullyCPP
Simply run bullyCPPw.exe and see that it opens:
VirtualBench
This is used starting with Lab 6. It is needed for the USB scopes that are available on the benches in the lab in Simrall 329. It is only applicable to in-person students at the Starkville campus.
Connect your laptop to a VirtualBench scope via USB cable, then turn on the scope. The laptop should recognize the scope and pop up as a USB drive. Inside the USB drive, run the VirtualBench .exe file.
A digital oscilloscope should pop up on the laptop screen.