Installing CCS Tools on PC

We use Custom Computer Services (CCS) software development tools to compile and build embedded programs that control the custom printed circuit boards in the lab. The PIC and SX microcontrollers are the main programmable units used to drive the circuit boards. The necessary CCS development tools can be found in DRBIO's ftp site under the directory called CCS_Compilers

Here's the installation guide for the CCS programs.

PCI-1755 DAQ Tip

This PCI-based card manufactured by Advantech is the high speed 32-channel digital I/O device used for the multiphoton image acquisition system. It has an extra general-purpose 8-ch DI/O feature that comes in handy. However, make sure to flip the on-board 8-pin switches in order to designate individual pins DI or DO. This is something that is easily overlooked and caused confusion for me.

PMT Controller Update

I have updated the PIC code for the PMT Controller board. I've uploaded the latest code and also a new version of the spec which reflects the recent changes. You can download these items (and any other MPM documentation) here.


Some highlights from the recent updates...

• The interface between the controller and the PC has been redefined. Now whenever the controller receives any USB command from the PC, it returns a 54-byte array which contains the current status or settings of every controller register.
  
  
• The controller now detects overload errors when a type 3 PMT (Hamamatsu H7422P with cooler and protection circuit) is connected to any of the ports.

• The controller resets the PMT when it detects an error.

• There is an error counter for each channel (which rolls over at 255).

MPM Documentation

I have uploaded all of my documentation for the PMT Controller board and the USB to RS232 board. (Specs, Eagle files, and PIC code) I will keep updating this page with the most current versions of the documents.

Read more hardware/firmware docs ...