Adding date to EEPROM when programming device

sentinel · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 141 Location: Tasmania

I hope this is not too off topic for this forum.
Does anyone know of a simple way to automatically add a date code to EEPROM when flashing the micro-controller?
This would have the dual benefit of uniquely identifying each chip while also informing when the flashing had been carried out.

Ideally, it would be in some format such as YYYYMMDDHHMMSS, which could then be retrieved by BASCOM AVR and reported if required.

I am able to write a Windows programme in Liberty Basic to retrieve the date & time from the PC clock and save as a .txt file, if that's any help.

I use an STK500 for programming.

(BASCOM-AVR version : 2.0.7.8 )

entry2 · Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 54

Hello,

do you know the directive "$version" and command "version" from helpfile?

entry2.

sentinel · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 141 Location: Tasmania

Thanks, Entry2.
Version would work really well, except that the code would have to be re-compiled before every chip is flashed.
In a production run of 200 micro-controllers, that would be rather inefficient.

enniom · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 548

Option 1.

- use RTC
- burn flash with uC bootloader that reads RTC and stores date/time in EEPROM.

Option 2.

-write your own uploading PC software to a uC bootloader that receives the date/time, stores it in EEPROM, then burns the flash.

Others??

i.dobson · Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 7:49 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Option 3

a) Write a small PC app that reads the AVR Firmware file and pads it with afew extra Bytes at the end (date&time)
b) Use AVRDude to download a Firmware

Just write a simple Batch file that calls the first program, then the avrdude.

200 Chips aren't that much. I've programmed almost 1000 Chips in two days (using an olimex stand alone programmer).

Regards
Ian Dobson

EDC · Joined: 26 Mar 2014 Posts: 1135

1. On Programmer Tab check "Upload Code and Data"
2. Create file that have the same name as main program but with EEP extension.
3. Build your own Windows Application that will update this file with actual date and time.

Thats it..

When I check "Upload Code and Data" then in programmer log I can read "EEP file not found"
This means that if file will be present then programmer automatically should upload also Data you need Wink

albertsm · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 6197 Location: Holland

you can also send a request to support. for a fee we can add such an option to the IDE.

AdrianJ · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 2483 Location: Queensland

Another option is to program chips just with a bootloader at build. Then when you load the main program code ( and most likely the EEPROM ) insert the data/time/serial number into eprom at that point. I do that with some of our production stuff, in this case just unique serial number.

The advantage is that you can use any programmer to load the bootloader, and then load the working code from a propietary uploader which is only serial connected to the target, and can include any special functions you like.

Also means you can give distributors and customers versions of that loader to do their own upgrades.

sentinel · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 141 Location: Tasmania

Thanks to everyone for their very helpful answers. It looks like there are multiple ways to skin a cat.

Thanks Mark, for the offer. I'll keep it in mind while I try out a few of the options. This feature may well be a welcome addition to the IDE.

Looks like I have to do some reading, for example how to use AVR Dude and using bootloaders. The ability of customers to do firmware upgrades in the field would also be useful.

Arera · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 386 Location: Wuppertal, Germany

Option 43:

Think of letting the Date/Time thing down. What meaning does it have, in case the item stays in the shelf for 7 month.
Rather use serial numbers. Note whatever information which is useful for you in an excel sheet or whatever, relatet to the serial number:

#13459: HW Version 3.8, SW version 65.003, assembled 27.12.2015 by Alex, flashed 31.12.15 by Mike, Quality checked 23.1.2016 by Hans, stored in shelf A23, delivered 25.07.2019 by order O45674....

That's the way I do it with success.
I use PONYPROG. It's simple, free, and handles serial numbers. All you need is the project.hex file.

PS:
Haven't used PonyProg for a while. Just found out it doesn't run on my new PC, it needs X86.... Rolling Eyes

jenalcom · Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 2:51 am Post subject:

Ponyprog will do automatic incrementing of serial numbers but not date or time.

A couple of products I have made, which allow user configuration, I have used Liberty Basic to do the initial setup of configuration. Included in that is the ability to set serial number and time/date stamp of the initial config (which is done when the item is ready to ship to the customer).

I have two programmes. A factory programme and a field programme. The field programme allows the customer to do his config. The factory programme is identical to the field programme except that it also allows me to set things the customer cannot - that is serial number, software version and a couple of other things. This idea is not much use if you don't have a user configuration programme.