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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : PicoMite Firmware Release Version 6.02.01
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| matherp Guru  Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 11215 |
The code which failed has support for the rp2350 which means it reads a 64-bit value for all the pins instead of a 32-bit value. It then has to shift the bits depending on the pin used for D0. It appears that the RP2040 overhead in handling a 64-bit value rather than a 32-bit one was too much. Accordingly I've used conditional compilation for the RP2040 instead of using the generic calls. On another issue. I'm considering adding a new build variant for embedded rp2040 use (also probably OK for the Game*Mite). PICOMIN would be a build which excluded things like turtle graphics, GUI controls, Raycasting, Structures and probably some of the displays (SSD1963?) - thoughts? |
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| bfwolf Senior Member  Joined: 03/01/2025 Location: GermanyPosts: 235 |
 Excellent idea!  But I would keep GUI controls, structures, and (most) displays! Structures are a core language element that I wouldn't want to do without, even in embedded applications, and GUI controls in conjunction with displays are essential for user interaction.  Turtle graphics, raycasting, etc., are probably more suited to gaming or "toy programming."  Regards, bfwolf. |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5859 |
@Peter, I applaud a PICOMIN2040. Turtle and Ray are more for HDMI/VGA. Structures ... you know my opinion, they divert too much from core basic. GUI controls : these might be useful in embedded applications SSD1963 eats up all IO (even in 8 bit mode) so the RP2040 cannot be used much anymore If you appreciate I will take some time to find more victims. On CAMERA Appart from mentioning 252MHZ clock speed, there is also a bug in the manual.  The image%() array must be 1 dimensional. DIM image%(160*120/8-1) Volhout P.S. in this version, camera is not closed when doing a new RUN. Or stopped when the program ends. . Edited 2026-04-10 21:42 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| matherp Guru Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 11215 |
In which case I just remove turtle and that has no useful effect. If there is to be a cut down version it has to be CUT down |
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| bfwolf Senior Member Joined: 03/01/2025 Location: GermanyPosts: 235 |
I can't assess how much structures affect code size or speed, if those are criteria for you. Certainly, some displays can be removed. And then I mainly see commands as dispensable that are more suited to gaming (e.g., for fast graphics) or that are "very specialized" and rarely used in embedded systems. For example, "ASTRO," "FRAMEBUFFER," "GAMEPAD," and "WII." So, this is just my perspective, which of course doesn't have to apply to everyone. Regards |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5859 |
bfwolf, As I understand it the full blown 2040 version is still available. This is suggestion is about a mini version, more like the MM2. And depending on Peters idea about a USB embedded and/or NON-USB embedded version further reduction might be possible. Embedded versions might not need controllers/mouse, and also LongString can be a candidate. As is Draw3D. But as Peter says: it has to make sense. For 1kbyte size reduction, it is not worth the effort. The memory map could show what modules take most flash memory. Those are candidates for exclusion. Volhout Edited 2026-04-10 22:44 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| matherp Guru Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 11215 |
Volhout Try this and see if it breaks anything obvious - completely untested PicoMite.zip Edited 2026-04-10 22:47 by matherp |
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| bfwolf Senior Member Joined: 03/01/2025 Location: GermanyPosts: 235 |
@Volhout: I agree with you! We only differ when it comes to structures. Yes, "Draw3D" is also a candidate.. |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5859 |
Peter, Will check during the weekend. So many embedded apps and Game*Mite stuff to check. First response: file manager "miniFM" does not work "could not find the path". Will require some investigation. Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| matherp Guru Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 11215 |
Removed from PicoMiteMin build Structures Draw3D command and function GUI Turtle graphics Regular expression support Help command VS1053 support Tilemap command and function SSD1963 support ILI9163 SSD1331 ST7735 but not ST7735S ILI9481IPS ILI9481 ILI9488P GC9A01 Virtual displays Net result image size reduced from 848Kb to 704Kb Edited 2026-04-10 23:18 by matherp |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5859 |
Peter, Up to now all programs that use assets (files in folders, like petscii robots) cannot find these files. Up to now, programs that are not using assets outside the program itself run. But I touched only the tip of the iceberg. The 150kbyte size reduction is a good number. Volhout Edited 2026-04-10 23:41 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| matherp Guru Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 11215 |
Any chance of a one liner demo of the file issue? UPDATE Found the issue - will fix and post another version Edited 2026-04-11 00:51 by matherp |
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| matherp Guru Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 11215 |
Try this PicoMiteRP2040MINV6.02.02B2.zip |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5859 |
Peter, there is only 1 bug that matters now: OPTION CPUSPEED defaults to 200000 when any value higher than 252000 is used (gamemite default). It tried 300MHz and 378MHz and 315MHz. The other behaviour reported before could be caused by watchdog resets in the menu. Still investigating. Volhout Edited 2026-04-11 08:20 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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phil99 Guru Joined: 11/02/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 3156 |
I notice all the GPS() functions that have been removed from the MMBasic manual have not been added to the GPS and Astronomical Commands Reference PDF. It only contains those relevant to Astro. |
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| matherp Guru Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 11215 |
Easily solved. Should I add back the tilemap command? If I don't my breakout game won't work. PicoMiteRP2040MINV6.02.02B2.zip Edited 2026-04-11 17:35 by matherp |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5859 |
Yes, tilemap would be needed for breakout. I will test your new version, but today I am with the grand children to an amusement park. It is such fun to be grand-dad…. Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5859 |
Hi Peter, Your fix for CPUSPEED works. But there is an other bug. Running 300MHz in this test. I have no idea how to analyze this further. But I have a weird problem. You will most likely not be able to reproduce, since it is very specific. On Game*mite 2026 the menu program is in flash slot 1, and is started with AUTORUN 1,NORESET. When I press the hardware reset button on the game mite it starts. The menu system defaults to the A drive, but when there is a B drive (SD card) it will indicate that pressing B button will show content of B drive. The menu system is written by Geoff, and it is littered with WATCHDOG commands. So timing is critical. But I have a generic "switch" that runs the menu system without watchdogs (needed for previous development). Option A: run menu system without watchdog When I run picofrog, press A (to start the game) and then hardware RESET the gamemite, the menu system starts, but operates very slow. Each key press can last 2 seconds. UNTIL the moment I pull the SD card out. Then it is fast again. When I run picofrog, and switch off the game mite, and turn it back on, all is fine. But the RESET button causes this, and up to now only with picofrog. This is shared SPI bus (SD card/display). Maybe reset is not initializing the same as cold boot (power off) ? Or timing is shorter ? Picofrog uses fast setticks, and play sound, and framebuffers. Maybe framebuffer transfer while pressing the hardware reset button causes this. Option B: run the menu system with watchdog Run picofrog, start the game with A and press RESET. Now PicoFrog restarts. What I think that happens is that there is a watchdig timeout (SD card slow as shown above) causing the watchdog to fire, pico to restart, but in stead of restarting the menu system (OPTION AUTORUN 1,NORESET) it starts the current game in program memory: picofrog. Not sure if this behaviour is planned. Or should it return to console ? Please suggest directions to further analyze. Volhout Edited 2026-04-12 17:29 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| matherp Guru Joined: 11/12/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 11215 |
Please could you try the "normal" PicoMite firmware posted on the 6.02.02 thread. My assumption is that it will show the same thing in which case it is some strange artefact created by the addition of the "C:" drive. That was the case with the "File not found" bug, whereas the CPU speed one was PicoMiteMin specific. Could you also confirm how this software works. After a reset, is it supposed to re-run the game that was just running or am I misreading your post? Edited 2026-04-12 17:43 by matherp |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5859 |
Hi Peter, The game mite should get to menu after reset Can test other image this evening. Volhout Edited 2026-04-12 21:12 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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