1.8 FLEXCOM USART Ring Buffer

This example application demonstrates how to use the FLEXCOM peripheral in USART ring buffer mode.

Description

This example demonstrates read and write over USART using the ring buffer mode. The USART is configured in non-blocking mode (interrupts enabled). The example asks the user to enter 10 characters. Once received, the characters are echoed back. In the process, the example demonstrates various ring buffer APIs.

Downloading and Building the Application

To clone or download this application from Github, go to the main page of this repository and then click Clone button to clone this repository or download as zip file. This content can also be downloaded using content manager by following these instructions.

Path of the application within the repository is apps/flexcom/usart/flexcom_usart_ring_buffer_interrupt/firmware.

To build the application, refer to the following table and open the project using its IDE.

Project NameDescription
pic32cx_mtc_db.XMPLABX project for PIC32CXMTC Development Board
pic32cx_mtg_db.XMPLABX project for PIC32CXMTG Evaluation Kit
pic32cx_mtsh_db.XMPLABX project for PIC32CXMTSH Development Board

Setting Up the Hardware

The following table shows the target hardware for the application projects.

Project NameBoard
pic32cx_mtc_db.XPIC32CXMTC Development Board
pic32cx_mtg_db.XPIC32CXMTG Evaluation Kit
pic32cx_mtsh_db.XPIC32CXMTSH Development Board

Setting Up PIC32CXMTC Development Board

  • Connect the Debug USB port on the board to the computer using a micro USB cable

Setting Up PIC32CXMTG Evaluation Kit

  • Connect the Debug USB port on the board to the computer using a micro USB cable

Setting Up PIC32CXMTSH Development Board

  • Connect the Debug USB port on the board to the computer using a micro USB cable

Running the Application

  1. Open the Terminal application (Ex.: Tera term) on the computer
  2. Connect to the Virtual COM port and configure the serial settings as follows:
    • Baud : 115200
    • Data : 8 Bits
    • Parity : None
    • Stop : 1 Bit
    • Flow Control : None
  3. Build and Program the application using its IDE
  4. The console displays the following message
    • Console displays the initial transmit and receive buffer sizes
    • It then adds 10 characters - “0123456789” to the transmit buffer and displays the available free space in the transmit buffer after the 10 characters have been added
    • The message asks the user to enter 10 characters
      Note: For this example, the “Free Space in Transmit Buffer = xx”, where xx can be anything between 117 to 127, depending on the USART baud rate and the CPU execution speed.
  5. Enter 10 characters on the terminal
  6. Entered characters are echoed back on the console and message is displayed indicating that the receive notification is turned on
  7. For every 10 characters typed, it will be echoed back on the console