How to build

What to install

Toolchain summary

• mpasmwin.exe v5.42
• mplink.exe v4.40
• mcc18.exe v3.40
• mplib.exe v4.40
• MPLAB IDE V8.80

Compiler

The MCC18 Compiler (V3.37 or greater) can be used under a free Student License. The latest version can be downloaded from the Microchip website. This license enables the user to compile and link the project modules (The extended mode is not used).

The MCC18 is available for Windows only. For Linux and MAC you can give the PICC Compiler (http://www.htsoft.com/) a try (I have not tried this, please let me know if it works).

Also I have read about users which are using MCC18 with WINE.

Another NEW option is MPLAB X which is available for Windows, Linux and MAC. Currently only available as BETA. Write me an eMail if you tried it.

IDE

The MPLAB IDE (V8.63 or greater) is free but for Windows only. The latest version can be downloaded from the Microchip website. Workspace and project files for MPLAB are included in this project.

Alternativly you can use MinGW and the included makefiles to build the project. Also any IDE (i.e. Eclipse) where a make process can be started is possible.

MPFS and VisualStudio

For compiling the project web sites to a MPFS image the MPFS tool is needed. The MPFS Tool, intergrated in Microchips TCP/IP Stack, was modified for these project. The sources and an already compiled executable (in the MPFS folder) are included in this software package. If you'd like to compile the sources due own modifications you need Microsofts Visual Studio Express for C# (freely available at Microsoft). The MPLAB project files include the build of the web image as prebuild steps. The makefile includes a target for the MPFS image.

The MPFS image itself is an ANSI C file which is simply compiled within the build process.

How to build with MPLAB

Simply open the root workspace file *.mcw with the MPLAB IDE. Activate the project, your prefered mode, the appropriate Debugger or Programmer and select "Build All". When the build process has finished the generated image file is located in the Release folder. Continue with programming or debugging the device with the output *.cof and *.hex files.

Activating the debug mode

This mode is for real time hardware debugging on i.e. a Microchip ICD2. The build image is running without the special bootloader and can therefore be flashed directly to the device target.

Activating the release mode

This mode generates an image which can not run without the special bootloader. Typically the user will choose this mode because no programmer device like an Microchip ICD2 is needed. Simply build the application and use a tftp client for uploading the image (see DEPLOY).

How to build with MinGW

The included makefiles also can be used to build the device images. Only release images are generated by default.