Using USBThumb as a Propeller Programmer and as a USB to Serial Converter

The Parallax's classic propeller programmer PropPlug  is simply a USB to Serial converter, the DTR/RTS signals are used to reset the Propeller chip before starting the programming sequence.

A custom PIC firmware  comes preloaded on the
"USBThumb Propeller Programmer" available on GadgetGangster.com, it allows you to use USBThumb as a Propeller Programmer but also as USB to Serial converter.

USBThumb (loaded with USBThumbSerial firmware)  is detected on your computer as a standard  CDC Modem device and works on all modern operating systems (Windows, Mac os , Linux).

On Windows you might be asked for driver path once you attach the device, simply use the driver part of the Microchip's USB Framework (it can be found in C:\Microchip Solutions\USB Device – CDC – Serial Emulator\inf\win2k_winxp ) , and I am including a copy for direct download here:

microchip_cdc_win2k_winxp.zip

On Windows you can identify USBThumb's COM port number from Device Manager:

3-15-2010 10-24-15 PM.png

On Mac OS, once you attach the device  you will get a prompt "A new network interface has been detected". Look in the /dev folder. You should see it as "/dev/tty.usbmodem411" or similar.

PropellerTool can scan all available ports and find the one that has a propeller chip attached. So the above step might not be necessary, however if you already know the COM port of USBThumb you can specify it explicitly.

In the PropellerTool go to  Edit > Preferences>Operation and update the "Serial Port Search" to the port number of USBThumb (COM15 in my example). In the "Propeller Reset Signal" choose DTR.

3-15-2010 10-37-28 PM.png

 

Next attach the USBThumb to your Propeller development board, USBThumb's serial  4-pin connector is pin compatible with PropPlug. The pins are marked as follows RX,TX,RST,GND.

To test the communication with the propeller board press F7.

If you experience problems make sure the port is not open by any other software (like for example the propeller terminal software)

In some rare cases if you computer power supply is too noisy, to ensure greater stability you can place a 18pF filtering capacitor between pins 24 (RB5)  and 25 (RB6). See picture below:

usbthumb_adding_filter_capacitor.jpg

You can solder the capacitor permanently between these pins, or if you're planning to use USBThumb for other projects and you have soldered sockets to the board simply insert the capacitor in the socket between pins 24 and 25. You only need to take this step if you have intermittent problems with PropellerTool not detecting the Propeller chip.

3 thoughts on “Using USBThumb as a Propeller Programmer and as a USB to Serial Converter

  1. Erik Friesen Reply

    A small correction, It needs to say CDC modem, not HID CDC, those use different drivers. CDC always requires a custom inf, and HID does not.

  2. Giancarlo Reply

    One question, the Bridge Rectifier KBL10 in wich pins of the pic is connected ? thankz

  3. Pingback: Quicktip: Program your RC transmitter with UsbThumb « Starlino Electronics

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