Your Amulet 3.8" module comes pre-programmed from the factory with sample µHTML pages stored in the onboard flash. If you haven't already done so, please take a few minutes to power up the Amulet module to review the pre-programmed demo. To power up the Amulet Starter Kit and begin GUI navigation, proceed as follows:
Boot M should be jumpered to ground, which puts the Amulet in Run Mode. (*See note below) T_CAL should also be jumpered to ground, unless it is desired to force a touch panel calibration with every power up or reset. |
By now, you should be familiar with the operation and navigation of the Amulet module. The next step is to use the Amulet HTMLCompiler to compile and program a GUI. In keeping with a long-standing programming tradition, this section introduces you to the Amulet development tools by guiding you through the creation of a "Hello, World!" program -- Amulet Style. Proceed as follows:
Launch the HTMLCompiler by whichever means you prefer.
The HTMLCompiler will open and compile home.htm and all other files that are linked from home.htm. When the conversion is complete the HTMLCompiler will display:
<Successful Compile! Ready to Program 17 files (12032 bytes) into Flash>
NOTE: DO NOT click on the Program Flash button yet because you must first prepare the Amulet module for programming.
Before you can program your "Hello, World" program into the Amulet
Flash, you must first select
a comm port and a programming baud rate.
To select a serial port for programming:
Connect one end of the 9-pin serial cable (included with the starter kit) to the serial port (J8) on the Amulet
3.8" module and the other end to the assigned serial port on your computer.
* Note: If the project you compiled locks up the Amulet OS to the point where it won't
accept the wake up message, or if the Amulet OS has been corrupted and you need
to reload the OS, you should open the
Boot M jumper on J2, which puts the Amulet chip in Programming Mode after cycling
the power. Once the flash is reprogrammed, you can re-jumper Boot M.
Click on the Program Flash button in the HTMLCompiler window. If there is a comm port conflict, the HTMLCompiler will display "Port is in use." Upon clicking the Program Flash button, the HTMLCompiler attempts to send out an auto-baud "wake-up" message to the Amulet module. If unsuccessful, the HTMLCompiler will display "Serial port timed out." If the HTMLCompiler wakes the Amulet module, the LCD will display a generic "Please wait while programming flash..." screen and commence programming. Once programming begins, the HTMLCompiler will display a series of messages as each file within the page is flashed. When the flash programming is complete, the HTMLCompiler will display:
<Successfully Flashed...>
Congratulations! You have successfully compiled and flashed your first Amulet uHTML page(s). The home page is now displayed on the LCD of the Amulet module. Navigate the GUI before proceeding to the next section.
Now, it is time to personalize your GUI. Using a text editor, such as Notepad or a "WYSIWYG" tool like Namo, open "home.htm" located in the \projects\tour\ subdirectory of the Amulet main directory. View the source code for the page and search for "Hello, World!" between the <BODY> and </BODY> tags.
Replace "World" with your name. For example, "Hello, World" should now read "Hello, John!"
Save the modified file and compile it.
Click on the Program Flash button.
Congratulations! You have successfully modified an Amulet uHTML page. A personalized version of the home page is now displayed on the LCD of the Amulet module. If desired, see Restoring
The Flash To Factory Configuration.
Before you embark on creating your own GUI from scratch, a few tips are in order:
The 3.8" Amulet controller board comes equipped with a 2.5 mm external power connector (J3). The power requirement is 5 VDC @ 100 mA. A reset switch (momentary pushbutton on the back of the board) resets the Amulet controller chip as well as LCD power.
CAUTION: Do not reverse the polarity on the power input. |
The Amulet 3.8" module can be powered up in different modes via the settings of the Jumper
header (J2). The power up modes include: programming mode and run mode.
Boot M (Pins 3&4) -- This jumper is monitored during a reboot to determine the operational mode of the controller board; jumpered is the normal mode and open is the Flash program mode. Upon clicking the HTMLCompiler's Program Flash button, the HTMLCompiler will attempt to send out an auto-baud "wake-up" message to the Amulet module. If the HTMLCompiler is successful in waking the Amulet module, the LCD will display a generic "Please wait while programming flash..." screen and commence programming. The only time you should need to remove the jumper between pins 3&4 (program mode) is when the project you compiled locks up the Amulet OS to the point where it won't accept the wake up message or if the Amulet OS has been corrupted and you need to reload the OS.
BAUD (Pin 12) -- This pin determines the baud rate used to program the serial data flash. If left floating, the programming rate is 115200 bps. If grounded, the programming rate is 19200 bps. By default, this pin is left floating from the factory, so the default programming rate is 115200 bps.
T_CAL (Pins 13&14) -- This jumper is monitored during a reboot to determine if the touch panel calibration routine will be run upon every reboot. If these pins are jumpered, then the touch panel calibration will not be run. If the pins are not jumpered, the touch panel calibration will be run upon every reboot.
A serial connection is required between the controller board and a personal computer in order to program uHTML pages into the FLASH memory of the controller board.
The serial parameters for communications between the Amulet module and the server are, as follows:
Baud Rate: 9600, 19200, 57600, or 115200bpsSee Communications Protocol for more information.
Parity: None
Data Bits: 8
Stop Bits: 1
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