Category: Microcontrollers

I sat at the bench this morning waiting for the inspiration to continue on with a project I’m working on with Francesco; I gave in to procrastination.

I wrote some assembler code to generate WWVB signal from a PIC a few months ago, remember? That stirred some interest from overseas folks looking for a way for their automatically update their “atomic” watches… apparently there isn’t some NTP device or anything else easily found to be purchased to do this. I was asked to do this NTP, but I’ll leave that for someone with a ‘Pi–I gave mine away to a kid. I did this project using GPS and a PIC micro.

It’s a pretty simple setup, gobble up a GPRMC sentence, pick off the data I need and spit out time. I generate 60KHz with the PWM module within the PIC (okay it’s 62KHz, but that should be close enough).. switch it through a 4066 to generate my time code.

GPRMC: there are other sentences you can use, but my cheapo module only spits out 4 sentences and GPRMC is the only one with time and date, so it’ll do. I re-used my GPGGA parsing code.. there is probably some left-overs in there if you look at the code below. I also dump the working string (first 63 bits of GPGGA) followed by the day number of the year which is calculated on the the UART, pick it up off the TX line @ 9,600 baud.. It’s spits it out about once a minute (in between time transmissions). I ended up using some DOY code online because I found some nice code that included determining if it was a leap year for day-of-year determination; I left the URL in the code.

The code isn’t finished nor is it accurate: it doesn’t recognize the valid data bit yet, and just spits out time whenever it feels like it so the time can be off by up to 59 seconds. I’ll work on this later on since I was just looking for proof of concept so I could get the hardware going and off a breadboard. I built up the circuit in eagle.. I’ll check it a few more times and have a couple PCBs made for round one of testing. The prototype was built on a Tautic 18F26K22 dev board, I considered just having the dev board plug-in but that’s probably a waste of $$.

You’ll note the SMA jack, perhaps this is over kill since I’ll never have a good enough antenna to match 60KHz… I don’t really know what to do with that yet, wire antenna for now I suppose. (version 2?) It’s likely illegal to sell these since it’s purposefully broadcasting, fat chance I’m doing the research beyond the FCC. I’ll look it up tomorrow but I suspect Part 15 doesn’t apply to 60KHz.

The code is a total hack job.. poorly documented, perhaps even incorrectly documented. I know I have “place-holder” functions.. but like I said..  it was a start to get my time code and it was close enough for testing; you get what you pay for! 🙂

/*
 * File:   main.c
 * Author: Charles M Douvier
 * Contact at: http://iradan.com / 0xEE.net / @chasxmd
 * Created on April 4th, 2014
 *
 * Target Device: 18F26K22
 *
 * Project: GPS --> WWVB simulator
 *
 * This version uses the GPRMC block
 * This is a limitation because GPRMC doesn't pass seconds
 * The time passed will always be up to 60 seconds off
 * I have to deterine DDMMYY --> Day of year, year
 * No simple leap year info in GPS :(
 *
 * TODO
 * Determine GPS lock and output to LED
 * Consider re-writing how I am writing my time code
 *
 * I'll re-write this sometime with a better (more expensive) GPS module.
 *
 * Version:
 * 0.1      First build I could prove I had GPS lock
 * 0.2      Output time/date on 232
 *
 */
#ifndef _XTAL_FREQ
#define _XTAL_FREQ 8000000 //4Mhz FRC internal osc
#define __delay_us(x) _delay((unsigned long)((x)*(_XTAL_FREQ/4000000.0)))
#define __delay_ms(x) _delay((unsigned long)((x)*(_XTAL_FREQ/4000.0)))
#endif

#include 
#include 
#include 
#include 


//config bits
#pragma config FOSC=INTIO67, WDTEN=OFF, PWRTEN=OFF, CP0=OFF, CP1=OFF, BOREN=ON
#pragma config STVREN=ON, LVP=OFF, HFOFST=OFF, IESO=OFF, FCMEN=OFF

//WRT=OFF, FOSC=INTOSC, MCLRE=ON

#define _XTAL_FREQ 8000000 //defined for delay

    char    ctxt[120], wstr[120];            //buff NMEA string, working string
    char    str1[20], str2[20], c, latstr, lonstr, setstr, doych[8];
    char    hourch[3], minch[3], secch[3], daych[3], monthch[3], yearch[3];
    char buffer[32] = "none";                        //temp dump
    volatile unsigned int     ping, isrcall, index, reading, new_rx;
    int     ready, gpgga, gprmc, mode;        //gps associated vars
    int     leap_year, dayint, monthint, yearint, year4int, secondint, minuteint, hourint;
    long    doy;
    int     min_40, min_20, min_10, min_8, min_4, min_2, min_1;
    int     hour_20, hour_10, hour_8, hour_4, hour_2, hour_1;
    int     doy_200, doy_100, doy_80, doy_40, doy_20, doy_10;
    int     doy_8, doy_4, doy_2, doy_1, leapint;
    int     year_80, year_40, year_20, year_10, year_8, year_4, year_2, year_1;

    //char    *rxdata;
    //volatile unsigned int uart_data;    // use 'volatile' qualifer as this is changed in ISR

/*
 *  Interrupt Service
 */
void interrupt ISR() {

   if (PIR1bits.RCIF){          // see if interrupt caused by incoming data

        isrcall = 0x01;
        char temp;
        temp = RCREG1;     // read the incoming data
        if(temp=='$' && new_rx==0)      //if first char of a GPS string..
        {
            index = 0;                  //reset index
            reading = 1;                //from now on go to else if
        }
        else if(reading == 1)           //in middle of GPS sentence
        {
            ctxt[index] = temp;         //load it up
            index++;                    //increment index
            ping = 1;                   //this is for debugging
            if(index > 63)              //thats more than enough data
                {
                index = 0;              //reset index
                reading = 0;            //no longer storing the string
                new_rx = 1;             //"ding"
                }
        }


   }
}


/*
 * Set up my ports
 */
void init_io(void) {
    // This code before the TRIS setup is for switching the RX2/TX2 to proper pins for the dev board
    INTCONbits.GIE = 0;         //no interruptions please

    LATA = 0x00;

    TRISAbits.TRISA0 = 0; //Onboard LED
    TRISAbits.TRISA1 = 0; //LED
    TRISAbits.TRISA2 = 0; //MCU (ON)
    TRISAbits.TRISA3 = 1; // input
    TRISAbits.TRISA4 = 1; // input
    TRISAbits.TRISA5 = 1; // input
    TRISAbits.TRISA6 = 1; // input
    TRISAbits.TRISA7 = 1; // input


    TRISBbits.TRISB0 = 0; // output
    TRISBbits.TRISB1 = 0; // output
    TRISBbits.TRISB2 = 0; // PWM1B
    TRISBbits.TRISB3 = 0; // output
    TRISBbits.TRISB4 = 0; // SCK
    TRISBbits.TRISB5 = 0; // PWM1C
    TRISBbits.TRISB6 = 0; // SCK
    TRISBbits.TRISB7 = 1; // input

    LATC = 0x00;

    TRISCbits.TRISC0 = 0; // N/W
    TRISCbits.TRISC1 = 0; // S/E
    TRISCbits.TRISC2 = 0; // PWM1A (output to 4066 control)
    TRISCbits.TRISC3 = 1; // MODE SELECT (LAT/LONG)
    TRISCbits.TRISC4 = 1; // SET INPUT
    TRISCbits.TRISC5 = 1; // input
    TRISCbits.TRISC6 = 1; // input
    TRISCbits.TRISC7 = 1; // input

    ADCON0 = 0b00000000;        //don't need any ADC
    ADCON1 = 0b00000000;        //speed Vref=AVdd, VssRef=AVss

    ANSELA = 0x00;
    ANSELB = 0x00;
    ANSELC = 0x00;
}

void uart_xmit(unsigned int mydata_byte) {  //send a character to the UART
    while(!TXSTA1bits.TRMT);    // make sure buffer full bit is high before transmitting
    TXREG1 = mydata_byte;       // transmit data
}

void uart_write(const char *txt)            //sent a multiple characters
{
    while(*txt != 0) uart_xmit(*txt++);     //this send a string to the TX buffer
                                            //one character at a time
}


void serial_init(void)
{
    //9600 8N1


    TXSTA1bits.BRGH=1;       // select low speed Baud Rate
    TXSTA1bits.TX9=0;        // select 8 data bits
    TXSTA1bits.TXEN = 1;     // enable transmit


    RCSTA1bits.SPEN=1;       // serial port is enabled
    RCSTA1bits.RX9=0;        // select 8 data bits
    RCSTA1bits.CREN=1;       // receive enabled

    SPBRG1=51;  // here is calculated value of SPBRGH and SPBRGL
    SPBRGH1=0;

    PIR1bits.RCIF=0;        // make sure receive interrupt flag is clear

    __delay_ms(50);        // give time for voltage levels on board to settle
    uart_write("RESET");         // transmit some data for testing

}


void pwm_init(){
//
//Take care if setting up the PWM pins (DISBALE A/D, etc)
//
//Select the 8-bit TimerX resource, (Timer2,Timer4 or Timer6) to be used for PWM generation
//by setting the CxTSEL bits in the CCPTMRSx register.(1)
//
//Load the PRx register for the selected TimerX with the PWM period value.
//
//Configure the CCP module for the PWM mode by loading the CCPxCON register with the
//appropriate values.
//
//Load the CCPRxL register and the DCxB bits of the CCPxCON register, with the PWM
//duty cycle value.
//

//    CCPR1L = 0x120;
    CCPR1Lbits.CCPR1L = 0x01;       //PWM duty cycle
    //CCPR2Lbits.CCPR2L = 0xCE;       //PWM duty cycle
    //CCPR3Lbits.CCPR3L = 0xCE;       //PWM duty cycle
    PR2 = 0x01;                     //Timer 2 Prescale
    //PR4 = 0xFF;                     //Timer 4 Prescale
    //PR6 = 0xFF;                     //Timer 6 Prescale
    CCPTMRS0bits.C1TSEL = 0x00;     //PWM1 TMR2 Selection
    //CCPTMRS0bits.C2TSEL = 0x01;     //PWM2 TMR4 Selection
    //CCPTMRS0bits.C3TSEL = 0x02;     //PWM3 TMR6 Selection
    CCP1CONbits.P1M = 0x00;         //single output mode
    CCP1CONbits.DC1B = 0x00;
    PWM1CONbits.P1RSEN = 0;
    PWM1CONbits.P1DC = 0x00;    //dead band delay
    ECCP1ASbits.CCP1AS = 0x00;
    ECCP1ASbits.CCP1ASE = 0;    //Auto-shutdown off
    CCP1CONbits.CCP1M = 0x0C;   //PWM Mode
    //CCP2CONbits.CCP2M = 0x0C;   //PWM Mode
    //CCP3CONbits.CCP3M = 0x0C;   //PWM Mode
    PSTR1CONbits.STR1A = 1;
    PSTR1CONbits.STR1B = 1;


    //T2CONbits.T2OUTPS = 0x0F;      //post scaler
    T2CONbits.T2CKPS = 2;       //16x prescaler
    //T4CONbits.T4CKPS = 2;
    //T6CONbits.T6CKPS = 2;
    T2CONbits.TMR2ON = 1;       //Turn the Timers On...
    //T4CONbits.TMR4ON = 1;
    //T6CONbits.TMR6ON = 1;



}


/*
 *  Append a string with a character
 *  append(str, c);
 */


//taken from http://stackoverflow.com/questions/19377396/c-get-day-of-year-from-date

int yisleap(int year)
{
    return (year % 4 == 0 && year % 100 != 0);
}

int get_yday(int mon, int day, int year)
//use: int day = get_yday(1, 31, 2013);
{
    static const int days[2][13] = {
        {0, 0, 31, 59, 90, 120, 151, 181, 212, 243, 273, 304, 334},
        {0, 0, 31, 60, 91, 121, 152, 182, 213, 244, 274, 305, 335}
    };
    int leap = yisleap(year);
    leapint = leap;

    return days[leap][mon] + day;
}

void append(char* s, char c)
{
        int len = strlen(s);
        s[len] = c;
        s[len+1] = '\0';
}

void marker(void){
    //send a marker frame - 800ms off, 200 ms on
    LATBbits.LATB0 = 0;
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);

    LATBbits.LATB0 = 1;
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    LATBbits.LATB0 = 0;
}

void one(void){
    //send a one - 500 ms off, 500 ms on
    LATBbits.LATB0 = 0;
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    LATBbits.LATB0 = 1;
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
}

void zero(void){
    //send a zero - 200ms off, 800ms on
    LATBbits.LATB0 = 0;
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    LATBbits.LATB0 = 1;
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
    __delay_ms(50);
}



void sendtime(void){

    /*
    *;0
    xCALL    MARKER                      ;MARKER FRAME REFERENCE BIT
    xCALL    ONE                         ;40min
    xCALL    ZERO                        ;20min
    xCALL    ZERO                        ;10min
    xCALL    ZERO                        ;Reserved
    xCALL    ZERO                        ;8mins
    xCALL    ZERO                        ;4mins
    xCALL    ONE                         ;2mins
    xCALL    ZERO                        ;1mins
    xCALL    MARKER                      ;MARKER 1
     */

    marker();                       //marker, frame reference

    if (minuteint >= 40){           //40min
        minuteint = minuteint - 40;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    if (minuteint >= 20){           //20min
        minuteint = minuteint - 20;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    if (minuteint >= 10){           //10min
        minuteint = minuteint - 10;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }    
    zero();                        //reserved (zero)
    if (minuteint >= 8){           //8min
        minuteint = minuteint - 8;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }    
    if (minuteint >= 4){           //4min
        minuteint = minuteint - 4;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }    
    if (minuteint >= 2){           //2min
        minuteint = minuteint - 2;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }    
    if (minuteint >= 1){           //1min
        minuteint = minuteint - 1;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }    
    marker();                       //marker 1
    
    /*
    ;10
    xCALL    ZERO                        ;RESERVED
    xCALL    ZERO                        ;RESERVED
    xCALL    ZERO                        ;20hours
    CALL    ZERO                        ;10hours
    CALL    ZERO                        ;RESERVED
    CALL    ZERO                        ;8hours
    CALL    ONE                         ;4hours
    CALL    ONE                         ;2hours
    CALL    ZERO                        ;1hour
    CALL    MARKER                      ;MARKER 2     
     */
    zero();                         //reserved
    zero();                         //reserved
    if (hourint >= 20){           //20 hours
        hourint = hourint - 20;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }       
    if (hourint >= 10){           //10 hours
        hourint = hourint - 10;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }  
    zero();                         //reserved    
    if (hourint >= 8){           //8 hours
        hourint = hourint - 8;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }  
    if (hourint >= 4){           //4 hours
        hourint = hourint - 4;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }  
    if (hourint >= 2){           //2 hours
        hourint = hourint - 2;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }  
    if (hourint >= 1){           //1 hours
        hourint = hourint - 1;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }  
    marker();                       //marker 2    
    /*
     * 
;20
    CALL    ZERO                        ;RESERVED
    CALL    ZERO                        ;RESERVED
    CALL    ZERO                        ;200 day of year
    CALL    ONE                         ;100 day of year
    CALL    ZERO                        ;RESERVED
    CALL    ZERO                        ;80 day of year
    CALL    ONE                         ;40 day of year
    CALL    ZERO                        ;20 day of year
    CALL    ONE                         ;10 day of year
    CALL    MARKER                      ;MARKER 3
     */
    zero();                         //reserved
    zero();                         //reserved
    if (doy >= 200){           //200th day
        doy = doy - 200;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }           
    if (doy >= 100){           //100th day
        doy = doy - 100;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }   
    zero();                         //reserved
    if (doy >= 80){           //80th day
        doy = doy - 80;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }      
    if (doy >= 40){           //40th day
        doy = doy - 40;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }   
    if (doy >= 20){           //20th day
        doy = doy - 20;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    } 
    if (doy >= 10){           //10th day
        doy = doy - 10;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }     
    marker();                       //marker 3

/*
 ;30
    CALL    ONE                         ;8 day of year
    CALL    ZERO                        ;4 day of year
    CALL    ZERO                        ;2 day of year
    CALL    ZERO                        ;1 day of year
    CALL    ZERO                        ;RESERVED
    CALL    ZERO                        ;RESERVED
    CALL    ZERO                        ;UTI Sign +
    CALL    ZERO                        ;UTI Sign -
    CALL    ZERO                        ;UTI Sign +
    CALL    MARKER                      ;MARKER 4
 */

     if (doy >= 8){           //8th day
        doy = doy - 8;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    if (doy >= 4){           //4th day
        doy = doy - 4;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    if (doy >= 2){           //2nd day
        doy = doy - 2;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    if (doy >= 1){           //1st day
        doy = doy - 1;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    zero();                         //reserved
    zero();                         //reserved
    zero();                         //reserved
    zero();                         //reserved
    zero();                         //reserved
    marker();                       //marker 4

    /*
   ;40
    CALL    ZERO                        ;UTI Corr 0.8s
    CALL    ZERO                        ;UTI Corr 0.4s
    CALL    ZERO                        ;UTI Corr 0.2s
    CALL    ZERO                        ;UTI Corr 0.1s
    CALL    ZERO                        ;RESERVED
    CALL    ZERO                        ;80 year yearint
    CALL    ZERO                        ;40 year
    CALL    ZERO                        ;20 year
    CALL    ONE                         ;10 year
    CALL    MARKER                      ;MARKER 5
     */

    zero();                         //reserved
    zero();                         //reserved
    zero();                         //reserved
    zero();                         //reserved
    zero();                         //reserved

    if (yearint >= 80){           //80th year
        yearint = yearint - 80;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    if (yearint >= 40){           //40th year
        yearint = yearint - 40;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    if (yearint >= 20){           //20th year
        yearint = yearint - 20;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    if (yearint >= 10){           //10th year
        yearint = yearint - 10;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    marker();                       //marker 5

/*
     *
;50
    CALL    ZERO                        ;8 year
    CALL    ONE                         ;4 year
    CALL    ONE                         ;2 year
    CALL    ZERO                        ;1 year
    CALL    ZERO                        ;RESERVED
    CALL    ZERO                        ;LEAP YEAR TRUE
    CALL    ZERO                        ;LEAP SEC WARN
    CALL    ONE                        ;DST
    CALL    ONE                        ;DST
    CALL    MARKER                        ;FRAME BIT P0
    *
*/

    if (yearint >= 8){           //8th year
        yearint = yearint - 8;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    if (yearint >= 4){           //4th day
        yearint = yearint - 4;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    if (yearint >= 2){           //2nd day
        yearint = yearint - 2;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    if (yearint >= 1){           //1st day
        yearint = yearint - 1;
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    zero();                         //reserved

                                     //leap year
    if (leapint){
        one();
    }else {
        zero();
    }
    zero();
    zero();                         //leap sec warn
    zero();                         //dst??
    zero();                         //dst
    marker();                       //frame bit P0
}

void gettime(void){
    
    hourch[0] = wstr[6];      //HHMMSS
    hourch[1] = wstr[7];

    minch[0] = wstr[8];
    minch[1] = wstr[9];

    secch[0] = wstr[10];
    secch[1] = wstr[11];

    daych[0] = wstr[56];     //DAY1  DDMMYY
    daych[1] = wstr[57];     //DAY2

    monthch[0] = wstr[58];     //MONTH1
    monthch[1] = wstr[59];     //MONTH2

    yearch[0] = wstr[60];     //YEAR1
    yearch[1] = wstr[61];     //YEAR2

    uart_write(wstr);

    uart_write(" ");

   hourint = atoi(hourch);
   minuteint = atoi(minch);
   secondint= atoi(secch);

   dayint = atoi(daych);
   monthint = atoi(monthch);
   yearint = atoi(yearch);

   year4int = yearint + 2000;

   doy = get_yday(monthint, dayint, yearint);

   ltoa(doych,doy,10);

   uart_write(doych);

    uart_write("\r");
}

void lon(void){

}

void determine_mode(void){  //determine lat or long mode

}


int main(void) {

    // set up oscillator control register, using internal OSC at 8MHz.
    OSCCONbits.IRCF = 0x06; //set OSCCON IRCF bits to select OSC frequency 8MHz
    OSCCONbits.SCS = 0x02; //set the SCS bits to select internal oscillator block
    __delay_ms(70);         //lets think about life a bit before proceeding..
    __delay_ms(70);
    __delay_ms(70);

    ping = 0;
    new_rx = 0;
    isrcall = 0;

    init_io();
    serial_init();

    //RCONbits.IPEN = 0;
    PIE1bits.RC1IE = 1;         //Enable RX Interrupt
    INTCONbits.PEIE = 1;        // Enable peripheral interrupt
    INTCONbits.GIE = 1;         // enable global interrupt

    pwm_init();

    ready = 0;

    while (1) {
    __delay_ms(10);
    isrcall = 0;
    ping = 0;
    if (ready){
        LATCbits.LATC2 = 1;
    }

        if (new_rx == 1)            //got our string...
        {
            if (strstr(ctxt, "GPRMC"))  // && ready
            {
                gprmc = 1;
                strncpy((char*)wstr, (char*)ctxt, sizeof(ctxt));
                gettime();
            }
            new_rx=0;              //finished with GPS string
        }


    if (gprmc){
        sendtime();
    }
    gpgga = 0;
    gprmc = 0;
    }
}