Programming with the Microchip PICKit 4

You can use the Microchip PICKit 4 In-Circuit Debugger to load code onto your Infintybox MASTERCELL, POWERCELL and inMOTION cell.  This is an advanced feature and you would only need to do this when instructed by the Infinitybox team.  There is a special programming harness required.  Contact Infinitybox technical support for more details.  Please follow these instructions to update your cell with the PICKit 4.

1.  You will receive a file to load onto your cell. Save this file to the desktop of your computer.

2.  Download Microchip’s MPLAB X IDE software.  Click this link to get the latest version of their software.  Follow the instructions from Microchip to install the software suite. Once the software is installed, reboot the computer.

3.  Plug the PICKit 4 into your computer and let Windows install the drivers. Once the drivers are installed, reboot the computer.

4.  Click on your computer’s Start button and go to the Microchip folder under Programs. Launch MPLAB IPE.  The application will look like this.

5. Click on the Settings option in the top bar and select Advanced Mode.  This will bring up a dialogue box asking for a password.  The default password is “microchip”.  Type this into the Password field and click on the Log In button.  The dialogue box will look like this.

6. The advanced options buttons will appear on the left of your screen.  Click on the Power button.  This will open a tab with the Power Settings.  Click on the box next to “Power target circuit from PICKit 4”.  A check should appear in the box as shown in this picture.  Make sure that the value in the Voltage Level field is 5.0.

7. Click on the Browse button under the Operate tab as shown in the image below.  This will open a dialogue box.  Use this box to browse to your desktop to select the file that we emailed you.  Select this file and click the Open button.  You will get a message in the Output IPE tab that will read Hex File Loaded Successfully.

8. Confirm that the Device and Tool are correct.  These values are on the Operate tab.  The Device should be dsPIC30F6012A.  The Tool should be PICKit 4.  The following picture shows where these values are located.

9. Plug the black connector on the PICKit 4 harness into the programming port on the cell to be programmed.

10. Click on the Connect button under the Operate tab.  The following picture shows this button.

A warning box will appear, as shown below.  Click on the OK button to accept this warning.

11. Click on the Program button as shown in the picture below.  The PICKit 4 will load the hex file into the process of the cell being programmed.  This will take 20 to 30 seconds to complete.  You will get a message in blue in the Output IPE tab that will say Programming Complete.

12. Click on the Disconnect button as shown in the picture below and unplug the PICKit 4 from the cell being programmed.

 

 

 

 

Fixing inCODE Software Driver

Our inCODE Programmer is the tool that you need to load custom configurations into your Infinitybox system.  It connects your computer to your MASTERCELL to let you make changes.  Our technical support team makes the changes for you.  You use inCODE to load these changes into your system.  This link will take you to the basics on using inCODE.

If you carefully read the instructions for using inCODE, you will see a big and bold message that says to not plug the inCODE programmer into your computer until after you have loaded the Embed Inc software.  When you plug the inCODE programmer into your computer, Windows automatically installs the drivers that it needs to make it work correctly.  When you install the Embed Inc software, it installs the drivers for inCODE and leaves instructions for Windows so it knows what to do with inCODE.  If you plug inCODE into your computer before you install the Embed Inc software, your computer takes a guess at what the inCODE programmer is and assigns a random driver to it.  You will get an error when you try to load code onto your system if this happens.

Reinstalling the Embed Inc software will not solve this issue since Windows has already assigned the wrong driver to the inCODE hardware.  You need to remove the inCODE programmer from your Device Manager and let Windows recognize it again.  This quick video will help you go through this process.

Please click on this link to contact our technical support team if you have any additional questions about setting up your inCODE programmer.

 

Updating inTOUCH NET with SKII Boards

All of the Infinitybox hardware can be updated in the field.  Some of these changes require our inCODE programmer.  Some can be done directly from a laptop.  Updating inTOUCH NET can be done directly from a laptop with Wi-Fi.

PLEASE NOTE: YOU WILL ONLY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THESE STEPS IF YOU ARE DIRECTED TO DO SO BY AN INFINITYBOX TECHNICAL SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE!

There are two different versions of our inTOUCH NET.  As of January 2017, we moved to the SKII version of our board.  If you have an inTOUCH NET from before this date, see this blog post for the updating instructions.

You will receive an email from Infinitybox with the files that you need to load onto your inTOUCH NET.  Read through these steps carefully before proceeding.  Before starting, these steps must be done on a Windows PC or Laptop with Wi-Fi capability.

  1. You will receive an email from Infinitybox technical support with the updated files that are specific to your inTOUCH NET.  Download these files and save them to a convenient location on your computer.
  2. Disconnect inTOUCH NET from your Infinitybox system.
  3. Download http://www.microchip.com/mplabx-ide-windows-installer on your computer.
  4. After the download is complete, run the installer. When prompted, only install MPLAB IPE, uncheck the box for MPLAB X IDE.
  5. After MPLAB IPE is successfully installed, reboot your computer.
  6. After the computer is rebooted, plug the USB cable from inTOUCH NET into your computer. Let it load the drivers.  inTOUCH NET is getting its power from the USB connection for this process.
  7. Launch the MPLAB IPE software, which can found under Microchip/MPLAB X IDE in the start menu or use the MPLAB IPE shortcut on the desktop.
  8. In the Device drop down menu, select PIC32MX795F512L. Click on the Apply button.
  9. In the Tool drop down menu select PKOB SKDE if not selected already.
  10. Click on the Connect button.
  11. Click browse at the end of the source line and choose the file with the name that ends in .hex.  This would be the file that we emailed to you.
  12. Click program, the output window should indicate “Programing Complete” when finished.
  13. Close the MPLAB IPE software.
  14. Connect to the inTOUCH NET server using the Wi-Fi on your laptop.
  15. Use the SSID and password that came with your kit.
  16. Launch Google Chrome or Firefox. Internet Explorer will not work for this step.
  17. Navigate to 192.168.1.50/mpfsupload.
  18. Hit the browse button that appears on the screen. Select the file with the name that ends in .bin.
  19. Press the upload button. You will get a message on the screen that confirms that the website was loaded to inTOUCH NET.
  20. Unplug inTOUCH NET from the USB port on your computer.
  21. Connect inTOUCH NET to the Infinitybox system. Shut down all power and start up again. Wait 30 seconds for the server to initialize.
  22. Connect to the inTOUCH NET network with your smart device.
  23. Browse to 192.168.1.50.
  24. The initial password to get past security is 123 [ENTER].

Your system is now updated with your new code.

If you have any questions with these steps, give our team a call at (847) 232-1991 or email us at sales@infinitybox.com.  You can also contact our team directly by clicking this link.  

Updating inMOTION

One of the advantages of our Infinitybox system is that it can always be updated.  We have added a lot of new features and functions over the years.  The earliest systems that we sold can be updated to use these new features.  In some cases, these updates require a simple hardware change that we need to do here.  In the majority of these changes, it is a simple software update that can be done in your shop, garage or in the vehicle in the field.  Most of the changes are done to the MASTERCELL but in some cases, the POWERCELLs and inMOTION cells need to be updated.  This post is going to talk about updating inMOTION.

Before you get too far, 99.99% of our customers will never need to update inMOTION in the field.  This blog post is intended to have this documented for the 0.01% of them that will.  The only reason why you’d need to update inMOTION would be if we have created something custom for you in terms of the current levels for the express functions.  In the overwhelming majority of cases, you can stop reading here.  You need to do nothing with the code on your inMOTION unless explicitly directed by one of our technical support engineers.  

inMOTION is different from a POWERCELL in a few ways.  inMOTION uses special polarity reversing relays instead of MOSFETs.  Also, inMOTION monitors the current flowing to the loads that it is powering.  inMOTION is always comparing the actual current to a learned value.  If the actual current exceeds the learned value, it shuts the output off.  One of the last steps of setting up inMOTION is to train it.  This is detailed in the instruction manual for inMOTION.  When you update inMOTION, there are a few extra steps that you need to follow because of the current monitoring and the way inMOTION learns its current draw.

Our technical support team will let you know what cells in your system will need to be updated if we are changing the way your system operates.  If you are told to update inMOTION, we will email you a new file.  Please follow these steps when updating inMOTION.

  1. Power down the entire system.
  2. Disconnect CAN cable and output harnesses from the inMOTION cell (just leave the power connectors)
  3. Unlike the other cells, the inMOTION cell needs power to program it, so power up the 12V feed to the cell.
  4. Connect the programmer to the inMOTION cell and browse for the inMOTION file
  5. Click program and wait for programmer to finish.
  6. Once the programming is complete, remove the programmer and the blue LED on the inMOTION cell should be blinking quickly.  Stop here if the Blue LED is not flashing quickly.
  7. Remove power from the system and re-connect the CAN cable to the inMOTION (do not reconnect any motor loads yet)
  8. Power up the entire system, wait about 10 seconds
  9. Press and hold the train button (S11) on the inMOTION cell until the blue LED is on steady and then release.  This process nulls out the current sensors in the system.
  10. Wait for the inMOTION to cycle all of the relays.
  11. Leaving the power on, reconnect the motor loads to the cell.  The blue LED should be doing a double flash heartbeat.
  12. Position the motors to the middle of their travel using the manual buttons on the inMOTION cell.
  13. Press and hold the train button (S11) until the blue LED is on steady and then release.  The inMOTION will cycle all of the motors and learn the current profiles.
  14. The blue LED should have the regular heartbeat now and everything should be ready to go.

Click on this link to contact our technical support team with any questions about updating inMOTION.

Updating inTOUCH NET

Our inTOUCH NET product completely changed the way that our customers interact with their vehicles and the Infinitybox system.  They have a universal interface that is fast, responsive and flexible plus it doesn’t require any custom apps.  Their vehicle can be controlled from Apple, Android and Windows smart devices with ease.

Just like the rest of the Infinitybox hardware, inTOUCH NET can be updated in the field using code that we create for you.  Give our technical support team a call with the changes that you need for your inTOUCH NET and we will email you the files necessary to implement the changes.

PLEASE NOTE: YOU WILL ONLY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THESE STEPS IF YOU ARE DIRECTED TO DO SO BY AN INFINITYBOX TECHNICAL SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE!

inTOUCH NET uses very sophisticated micro-controllers to do its job.  This process sounds complicated but it is easier than it seems.

Here are the steps that you need to follow to update your inTOUCH NET system.

  1. You will receive an email from Infinitybox technical support with the updated files that are specific to your inTOUCH NET.  Download these files and save them to a convenient location on your computer.
  2. Disconnect inTOUCH NET from your Infinitybox system.
  3. Download and install  http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/MPLAB_IDE_8_92.zip on your computer.
  4. After it is successfully installed, reboot your computer.
  5. After the computer is rebooted, plug the USB cable from inTOUCH NET into your computer.  Let it load the drivers.  inTOUCH NET is getting its power from the USB connection for this process.
  6. Launch the MPLAB IDE software.
  7. Go to Configure/Select Device.  Select PIC32MX795F512L from the Device drop down menu.  Then hit OK.
  8. Go to Debugger/Select Tool and choose 10 PIC32 Starter Kit.
  9. Go to File/Import and choose the file with the name that ends in .hex.
  10. To go Debugger/Programming/Program All Memories.  It should take about 5 seconds.  You will get a message on the screen that says programming successful.
  11. Go to Debugger/Select Tool and None.
  12. Close the MPLAB IDE software.
  13. Connect to the inTOUCH NET server using the Wi-Fi on your laptop.  Used the SSID and password that came with your kit.
  14. Launch Google Chrome or Firefox.  Internet Explorer will not work for this step.
  15. Navigate to 192.168.1.50/mpfsupload.
  16. Hit the browse button that appears on the screen.  Select the file with the name that ends in .bin.
  17. Press the upload button.  You will get a message on the screen that confirms that the website was loaded to inTOUCH NET.
  18. Unplug inTOUCH NET from the USB port on your computer.
  19. Connect inTOUCH NET to the Infinitybox system.  Shut down all power and start up again.  Wait 30 seconds for the server to initialize.
  20. Connect to the inTOUCH NET network with your smart device.
  21. Browse to 192.168.1.50.
  22. The initial password to get past security is 123 [ENTER].

Your system is now updated with your new code.

If you have any questions with these steps, give our team a call at (847) 232-1991 or email us at sales@infinitybox.com.  You can also contact our team directly by clicking this link.  

Updating with inCODE

Updating with inCODE is very simple but there are two very important warnings that you must understand before you go any further.

***DO NOT PLUG THE inCODE PROGRAMMER INTO YOUR COMPUTER UNTIL YOU HAVE INSTALLED THE SOFTWARE PER THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW***

…and…

***PAY ATTENTION TO WHICH CELLS YOU ARE UPDATING.  IF YOU RECEIVED A FILE TO UPDATE YOUR MASTERCELL, ONLY LOAD THAT ON A MASTERCELL.  IF YOU RECEIVED A FILE FOR YOUR POWERCELLS, ONLY LOAD THAT CODE ON YOUR POWERCELL.***

That being said, let’s take a look at the steps for updating with inCODE.

One of the advantages of our Infinitybox system is the ability to load new configurations to it in the field.  This video goes through the process of updating your Infinitybox MASTERCELL.

***DO NOT PLUG THE inCODE PROGRAMMER INTO YOUR COMPUTER UNTIL YOU HAVE INSTALLED THE SOFTWARE PER THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW***

Here are the instructions to load the software and update your system using the inCODE programmer.  This will work for any Windows operating system running at 32-bits or 64-bits.  Please note that there is no application that will work for Apple or Mac.  Also, this must be done from a PC or a laptop.  You cannot use a tablet to run inCODE.  Contact Infinitybox technical support to get a link to download the software to run the inCODE.  You can contact our team by clicking this link.

  1. Temporarily disable your virus scanning software.
  2. Download the software application from the link provided to you from Infinitybox technical support.
  3. Run the install_picprg executable.
  4. When the installation is done, plug the programmer into the computer.  Let it find the drivers as necessary.
  5. Reboot the computer.
  6. Go to Programs/Embed Inc/Program PIC.
  7. Save your hex file to your desk top.
  8. UNPLUG ALL CONNECTORS FROM THE CELL BEFORE YOU PLUG THE inCODE PROGRAMMER INTO IT.
  9. Plug the programmer header into the cell to be updated.  Follow the instructions that came from Infinitybox technical support carefully.  Loading code on the wrong type of cell can cause severe damage to the system.  For example, programming a POWERCELL with MASTERCELL code will cause damage to the cell.
  10. Browse for the file and hit PROGRAM on the GUI.

The programming window looks like this:

Picture of the inCODE Graphical User Interface

Picture of the inCODE Graphical User Interface

When completed, unplug the inCODE programmer from the cell and plug the harness connectors back in.

PLEASE NOTE:  You may get a warning from your anti-virus software about the inCODE download.  It depends on the browser and the anti-virus software that you are using.  We test this software frequently and know that it is safe.  Contact our technical support team with questions about this.

If you plug the inCODE programmer into your computer before you install its software, Windows will randomly assign a driver to it.  The inCODE programmer will not work correctly when you install the software.  To fix this, please follow these instructions by clicking this link.

Please contact our technical support team by clicking this link if you have questions.