GpSpeed PicAxe Software

GpSpeed PicAxe Software

The following is a set of simple example programs that can be run on the GpSpeed motor speed controller. They are designed to test and show how various inputs and outputs can be used. See the GpSpeedDevelopment manual for more information on programming.

Program
Description
gpspeed-test-led.bas
The simplest example which will flash the boards LED
gpspeed-test-motor.bas
This is a simple test of the motor control. It switches the motor on and off.
gpspeed-test-motor-pwm.bas
This demonstrates the PWM (Pulse width modulation) control of a motors speed. This uses the PWM hardware module built into the PicAxe chip.
gpspeed-test-fan-pwm.bas
This demonstrates the PWM (Pulse width modulation) control of a fans speed. This uses the PWM hardware module built into the PicAxe chip.
gpspeed-test-display.bas
This shows how to display text onto a simple two line LCD display over the GpSpeed's I2C display interface. It uses a PicAxe LCD Serial Module AXE033. This needs to be configured as an I2C interface and connected to the GpSpeeds display port.
gpspeed-test-test-ser1.bas
This send a sequence of 'A' characters over the GpSpeeds serial port. It uses the hardware UART module of the PicAxe. This port can be used for telemetry, GPS etc.
gpspeed-test-test-print.bas
This shows how to print debug messages onto the connected PC's screen. This text will be displayed in the PicAxe programming editors Terminal window which can be enabled from the "PicAxe" menu set to: baud 4800, 8 data, no parity. See the documentation  on the PicAxe basic sertxd function for more information.
gpspeed-test-temperature.bas
This shows how to measure temperature using a TMP37 or TMP36 device. It will display text onto a simple two line LCD display over the GpSpeed's I2C display interface and over the serial port to the PC. It uses a PicAxe LCD Serial Module AXE033. This needs to be configured as an I2C interface and connected to the GpSpeeds display port.
gpspeed-test-rtc.bas
This shows how to access a DS1307 real-time clock chip. This can be one optionaly fitter to the PicAxe AXE033 LCD display module. It will display text onto a simple two line LCD display over the GpSpeed's I2C display interface and over the serial port to the PC. It uses a PicAxe LCD Serial Module AXE033. This needs to be configured as an I2C interface and connected to the GpSpeeds display port.




gpspeed-demo-0v1.bas
This is a demonstration example. It perfoms the function of a simple speed controller with soft start and current limiting. It reads data from a temperature sensor and displays a set of parameters onto a LCD display.
gpspeed-run-0v1.bas
This is the initial GpSpeed running program. It perfoms the function of a simple speed controller with soft start and current limiting.


gpspeed-template.bas
A template program to start off your own programs
gpspeed-software.zip
All the above programs in one zip file.

GpSpeedDataLog

Program
Description
gpspeed-test-datalog.bas
Simple board test program and simple IC access example
gpspeed-demo-datalog.bas
Simple example demonstartion of using the data log with a GpSpeed controller. This is just the data log bits + some GpSpeed controller bits a full program will need to be developed based on the gpspeed-run-0v1.bas or gpspeed-demo-0v1.bas base programs.

 Note, when the picaxe serial cable is used as a serial debug port for inputing typed data from the user as it is in the GpSpeedDataLog example programs, then the picaxe cannot be programmed once the program has started. To program it in this case: Start the programming and then press the GpSpeed reset button. There is a small window of opportunity when the picaxe starts up were it can be programmed in this case.

All of the Picaxe programs are available in a single zip file: gpspeed-software.zip

Using the Programs

These programs are written for the PicAxe chips that can be used on the GpSpeed controller board. In order to use them you need to download and install on a suitable PC the PICAXE Programming Editor from: http://www.picaxe.com/Software. You will need a PicAxe download cable, AXE027 or equivilent to download the code to the GpSpeed board. The PixAxe programing editor needs to be set for a PicAxe 28x2.
Please use the PicAxe manuals to help with using this programming environment.

Release Notes

2014-07-26

Updated gpspeed-demo and gpspeed-run to version 0v1. In the 0v0 software the Motor's PWM frequency was set to 40 kHz not 20 kHz. 40 kHz can be used but 20 kHz is probably more efficient.