Fast Track for PropJavelin - rosco-pc/propeller-wiki GitHub Wiki

This document is a fast-track guide to getting the PropJavelin up and running for those who have no experience with Parallax's Javelin Stamp Product.

PropJavelin is a project to implement the functionality of the Javelin Stamp on the Propeller Chip. This is the implementation of a JVM which runs on the Propeller to allow Java(TM) programming of the Propeller. Java program development is undertaken using a modified version of the Javelin Stamp IDE.

This document assumes the user does have experience of Windows XP, installing applications under Windows XP, has the Parallax Propeller Tool installed and working and is familiar with its use.

It is not however necessary to be familiar with the Javelin Stamp, its IDE or the Java programming language to get a PropJavelin running, although an understanding of Java will be necessary to program and fully utilise the PropJavelin.

Please feel free to update this document to aid other users who are unfamiliar with the Javelin Stamp and PropJavelin.

Install the Parallax Javelin Stamp IDE

From the Parallax website, Downloads for the Javelin Stamp

Download Javelin Stamp IDE Installer - Version 2.0.3 (Win2k, XP & Vista) 2.2MB (EXE)

You may also wish to download the Javelin Stamp Users Manual Version 1.0a 1.4MB (PDF)

Execute the downloaded JvlnSIDEsetupv203.exe to install the Javelin Stamp IDE.

Launch the Javelin Stamp IDE and click Help/About; this should show "Version 2.0.3 Build 0". Click on the pop-up to close it. Close the application.

Get the PropJavelin Updates

From page 8 of the thread "JVM for Prop", download the three files ...

  1. javelin.zip 763KB (ZIP)
  2. jvm.zip 48KB (ZIP)
  3. TerminalTest2.java 2KB (TXT)

You may wish to check for later versions of these files. The rest of this document will assume that the above files were downloaded.

Install the PropJavelin IDE

Unzip the downloaded javelin.zip and extract javelin.exe to the directory where the Javelin Stamp IDE was installed to. This is likely to be "C:\Program Files\Parallax Inc\Javelin Stamp IDE" on many systems.

Launch Javelin.exe and click Help/About; this should show "Version 2.2.0 Build 4". Click on the pop-up to close it. Close the application.

Install the PropJavelin Firmware on the Propeller

Create a directory to hold the PropJavelin firmware ( the JVM ) and extract the entire contents of jvm.zip to it.

Launch the Propeller Tool and load the jvmMain.spin file. Use "F9" to syntax check the software and confirm all required files have been properly installed. This may take a few seconds on a slower PC.

Modify the _CLKMODE and _XINFREQ constants at the top of jvmMain.spin to match the Propeller hardware you will be using. Note that the default is for the Spin Stamp product which uses a 10MHz crystal and will likely have to be changed if using one of the other Propeller development platforms such as the ProtoBoard.

If not already configured, set the commPort constant to 1.

Connect your Propeller hardware and Use "F7" to identify the COM port which will be used by the Propeller Tool for downloading and remember it - this information will needed during the next step.

Use "F11" to burn the PropJavelin firmware to your hardware. This may take a few seconds to compile on a slower PC, and will be followed by a download plus programming and verification of Eeprom.

Please make sure that "F11" is used and not the more frequently used "F10" as the Firmware must be burned to Eeprom not run from RAM.

Leave the Propeller hardware powered-up and connected, and close the PropTool.

Checking PropJavelin Firmware Installation

Launch Javelin.exe. Select "Options" then "Debugger" and select the serial port used for program download to the Propeller when using the Propeller Tool. Click "OK".

Click Project/Test Connection. This should show communications in the lower IDE panel and eventually result in a pop-up indicating "Javelin found on COMx".

Run Your First Java Program

Start Javelin.exe and load the previously downloaded TerminalTest2.java into the IDE. Click "Compile" or press "F9" to ensure the program compiles correctly; the status bar should show "Compile Successful".

Click Project/Download to RAM. The program will be compiled, linked and downloaded to the PropJavelin. A 'progress' pop-up will show during the process, and when complete the PropJavelin will be reset and the "Javelin Terminal" window will appear.

Re-size and adjust the splitter-bars as appropriate then in the bottom text box type "h", "e", "l", "p" and then press return.

The Terminal will show a series of "received character" messages and then "Unknown command : hheellpp".

PropJavelin is a work in progress and as can be seen above not everything works perfectly at this time - every character typed is sent twice - however it was the TerminalTest2.java program running on the PropJavelin itself which received and handled what was sent from the Terminal.

Debugging Your Java Program

Close the Javelin Terminal Window and close the PropJavelin IDE. Turn your PropJavelin hardware off and then back on.

Restart javelin.exe, re-load TerminalTest2.java, then click Project/Debug to RAM. The 'Progress' pop-up will appear and the Java program downloaded to the PropJavelin.

Once download is complete, the "Debugger" window will pop-up and the Java program can be single-stepped and otherwise debugged using the Debugger.

Notes

The PropJavelin project is a work in progress and incomplete at the time this document was written. A phenomenal amount of work was completed in just five weeks of the project commencing, a credit to Peter Verkaik and all those who have contributed to the PropJavelin project.

Further details of the ongoing project can be found in this thread. All contributions and help will be gratefully received. Knowledge of Java, the Javelin Stamp or PropJavelin is not a prerequisite or obstacle to participation.

When altering the Options/Editor configuration of the Javelin Stamp IDE or PropJavelin IDE it may be necessary to close and restart the IDE for all changes to be applied.

When using Project/Identify do not click on Refresh or Close while scanning is in progress. A PropJavelin when identified this way should show "Propeller, $78, 16384, No, No, Yes".