What is IFI_Loader?
**IFI_Loader is the free PC program from Innovation First which is used to download your custom code to your 2004 Robot Controller. You can download IFI_Loader from here, http://www.ifirobotics.com/rc.shtml#Programming.
You write and compile your code in Microchip’s MPLAB® IDE, and then you use Innovation First’s IFI_Loader to download it.
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I’m a FIRST mentor trying to set up our software development environment on a WinSE system. When I run IFI Loader and browse to a hex file, I get “Invalid Hex File - Unable to Download…” I’ve tried both versions 1.0.10 and 1.0.7 and get the same message. When I install the loader and the same hex files on either Win98 or XP machines, everything works fine. Unfortunately, we only have one computer available at school and the school will not allow us to up or downgrade the os on the machine they provide. I’ve tried tweaking all the os settings that seem to make sense to me and I haven’t been able to fix it. The machine is a Dell Inspiron 5000 w/128mb of memory running WinSE 4.10.2222A. Help!
There was a problem with the PC. He used a different PC and had no problems.
We are having a problem when we try to download our FrcCode.hex file into the robot. First, this is what we can do:
-We can download the FrcCode_default.hex code fine to the robot. The joysticks work with it, and we can view the readouts on dashboard.
Our problem is when we try to download a compiled code of our own. When we take the FrcCode files and compile it without any changes, it is perfectly clean, free from our interference, it will compile successfully, but when we try to load it into the robot, just like FrcCode_default.hex (which works fine), the robot does not respond, and the programming light stays blinking yellow.
This is what we currently have for our programming:
MPLab IDE: 7.0
mcc18 2.40
Dashboard
Firmware: new master code for 2005
We are using this years controller and interface
We have tried to reset it, to turn it off and wait, nothing has worked. We have been trying to fix this problem for the past week.
Thank-you for your help.
~Team 612
The FIX: Apparently some other students had accidentally deleted sections of the compiler without our knowledge. We re-installed and everything works fine. We’ve also installed a version control on the code so we know who is doing what(!)
We are again having a problem when we try to download our FrcCode.hex file into the robot. We can download the FrcCode_default.hex code fine to the robot. The joysticks work with it, and we can view the readouts on dashboard. However when we try to download a compiled code of our own, it compiles it without any errors. But when we try to load it into the robot, just like FrcCode_default.hex, the robot does not respond, and the programming light stays blinking yellow. We have all the lastest software, MPLAB IDE 7.0, IFI Looader 1.0.10, C18 v2.40 and the new master code for 2005. When we compile the default code without any changes, it produces a file with 54 KB, while the FrcCode_default.hex (already compiled) is 53 KB. There might be some problem with the compiler or the IFI Loader, but we dont know it yet. The last year code(2004) compiles very well and downloads fine. We are currently porgramming on that code. But this year’s code is somehow not producing the correct hex file. We have tried to reset it, to turn it off and wait, nothing has worked. We would appreciate if you could help us.
After working with the customer, he replied: It looks like the real problem was the PC. We had the IDE on a Vectra VL Pentium III running Windows 2000. For some reason it just wouldn’t take the camera code. We brought in another PC running XP and everything works well now.
I am having trouble talking to the RC with the computer that we are using for programming. Normally when I connect with another laptop and use IFI Loader to complete the controller verification I get the processor type in the IFI Loader window in the bottom right hand corner. When I connect with the team laptop, I get a message that tells me that the controller verification was completed. However when I go to download the code (with the RC in the program state and connected to the PC), I get an error message that states to make sure that the PC is connected to the RC and that I have put the RC into the program state. The laptop that I am using is a Dell Latitude C610 and I am running Windows XP. I have made sure that all Windows security software is turned off, and I still am not able to download the code. I was hoping that you may be able to help me.
It is best to call us on this type of problem. If everything works fine with 1 laptop, that isolates the problem to the PC – which we usually can not fix. First, get the laptop that works and verify that no problem exist when downing code. Test this many times to make sure there is not an intermittent problem. On the PC that does not work, uninstall the IFI Loader and get the lasted version from our web site. Install the IFI Loader. Verify the serial com port using the Device Manager on your PC. Select the same com port on the IFI Loader under PortSettings and try downloading again.
I have both 2005 and 2006 RC units. Which version of IFI loader should I use? Version 1.1 says it is only for 2006. Is 1.1 necessary for 2006 or can I use 1.0.12 (version that came on disk from IFI) for 2006 controller?
Always use the latest version posted on the web. The latest version should work for all RC units using PIC18 microprocessors. Version 1.1 does not say “it is only for 2006�?, it says “must be used with the 2006�? RC unit.