Lab 0: Software Installation

Basics

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. 

• If you are an in-person student, you must attend your lab section so the TA can review the syllabus and give out other important information. If you have already installed the software (highly recommended), you will be allowed to leave as soon as you've been checked off. Lab 0 is for your own benefit - there is no grade penalty for skipping it, however most students who do so end up failing or dropping the course. 

• Ensure that you have a laptop that meets the requirements of the Bagley College of Engineering. If your laptop is deficient, now is the time to remedy this. Do not wait until you find yourself unable to perform labs that are imminently due. As of November 2024, you can purchase a used/refurbished Lenovo Thinkpad T480 or similar on eBay for under $300. Get one with at least 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD.

• The links below are for Windows versions of the software.  TA technical support will only be given if you are running Windows. The scopes in lab only work with Windows, so if you are an in-person student, you will need a Windows computer (unless you plan to bring your own oscilloscope to Labs 7-10 and the practicum).

• If you don't have at least 2 available USB ports, you will need a USB hub for Labs 6-10 and the practicum.

• Now is also a good time to check that you have the required breadboard, wiring kit, tools, and multimeter that you'll need later in the course.

• Again, there is no lab report for this lab; all other labs require a report. 

Software Download and Installation:

Note: If clicking on browser links doesn't download files, try right clicking and "Save Link As..." If that still doesn't work you may need to use a different browser or to change your security settings. Click the download icon (usually in the top right of your browser window). If you get a warning about malicious software, just ignore it and click OK. If you still can't download the files, the TA has copies of everything on a USB drive.

• 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). The file is too large to be hosted on Canvas. If you are not able to download it, the TA has a copy on a USB drive.

  •  This version is free and does not require a license. If you are prompted for licensing or registration, exit the installation.

  • If you already have a different version of Quartus installed, that's fine - as long as it can compile and simulate the project below (under Installation Checks - Quartus)

Quartus Installation

1. Download the .tar file to your computer.

2. Right-click and extract all. (If this option is not available, download and install 7-Zip.) This will create a subdirectory named Quartus-lite-17.1.0.590-windows

3. In this subdirectory, doubleclick setup.bat.

4. Accept the terms. Use the default installation directory: C:\intelFPGA_lite\17.1

5. Leave the default components selected. Installation time depends on the PC, but expect about 20 minutes. 

6. 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.

  • As of Fall 2024, we will be using (Windows) version 6.20. You may be able to use an older or newer version of the software, however all the labs were tested with 6.20.

  • The file is too large to be hosted on Canvas. If you are not able to download it, the TA has a copy on a USB drive.

  • Install in the default location chosen by the installer!

• 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.

  • As of Fall 2024, we are using (Windows) version 2.10. You may be able to use an older or newer version of the software, however all the labs were tested with 2.10.

  • The file is hosted on Canvas in the "Lab 0" folder under "Labs S2025" (or whatever the current semester is). The TA also has a copy on USB drive.

  • 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.

• 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.

  • The file is hosted on Canvas in the "Lab 0" folder under "Labs S2025" (or whatever the current semester is). The TA also has a copy on USB drive.

  • 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 C:\ece3724\pic24_code_examples.

• Number Sequencing Computer Project:  nsc_quartus.zip

  • This will be used for Lab 1.

  • The file is hosted on Canvas in the "Lab 1" folder under "Labs S2025" (or whatever the current semester is). The TA also has a copy on USB drive.

  • Download this to C:\ece3724

  • Extract the files from the archive. You should now have a subfolder called C:\ece3724\nsc_quartus.

• 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.

• MPLAB 

1. Run MPLAB X IDE (not IPE!)

2.  File->Open Project C:\ece3724\pic24_code_examples\chap3\mptst_word.X

3. Production -> Build Project (F11)

You should get a green "BUILD SUCCESSFUL" message in the compilation output:

• MPLAB C-Compiler 

1. Run MPLAB X IDE (or File -> Close All Projects if it's still open)

2.  File->Open Project C:\ece3724\pic24_code_examples\chap8\ledflash.X 

3. 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.

  • If you cannot connect to the oscilloscope, download the drivers file virtualbench_19.0_online_repack.exe from Canvas in the "Lab 0" folder under "Labs S2025" (or whatever the current semester is). Run it and try again.

  • The drivers can also be downloaded from here, but you'll need to make a National Instruments account.

Troubleshooting

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