Description

This software version is based on the Peter's OM3CPH LCD4DIGI.asm version on this web page. User's parameter set possibility has been added using PIC's EEPROM memory and save functions. This SW has been designed for 4 MHz xtal. As this version has four bit data bus between PIC and LCD unit, the remaining four I/O-pins are available for counter control. There are now two modes available:

1. COUNTER MODE and
2. EEPROM MODE.

The RB0...RB3 have different functions in both modes:

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COUNTER MODE
False (0) True (1)
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RB0 COUNTER MODE EEPROM MODE *)
RB1 RF offset1 RF offset2
RB2 Offset 1 & 2 Direct frequency
RB3 Normal 10 divider (decimal point location)
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EEPROM MODE
False (0) True (1)
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RB0 - Increase EEPROM address
RB1 - Increase data value
RB2 - Decrease data value
RB3 - Save to EEPROM
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*) Access to the EEPROM mode is enabled when the RB0 is true (1) and +5 V power is connected to the counter. Exit from the EEPROM mode is made by disconnecting +5 V. When the RB0 is false (0) and power is connected, the COUNTER MODE is started.

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EEPROM ADDRESSES
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; 00 = MFt1_HigB = High Byte of RF offset1 (def. 0D) 9001.50 kHz = 0DBC36
; 01 = MFt1_MidB = Mid Byte of RF offset1 (def. BC)
; 02 = MFt1_LowB = Low Byte of RF offset1 (def. 36)
; 03 = MFt2_HigB = High Byte of RF offset2 (def. 0D) 8998.50 khz = 0DBB0A
; 04 = MFt2_MidB = Mid Byte of RF offset2 (def. BB)
; 05 = MFt2_LowB = Low Byte of RF offset2 (def. 0A)
; 06 = Direct_freq = Direct frequency counter without sub or add = 00 h
; Sub or Add function activated = 01...FFh (def. 00h)
; 07 = EE_Fine1 = Counter value for calibration 1 == 3*4/fx= 3us (def. 15)
; 08 = EE_Fine2 = Counter value for calibration 1 == 4*4/fx= 4us (def. 01)
; 09 = 1x16_Disp = LCD display type: 0 = 1x16 LCD, 1 = 2x20 LCD (def. 01)
; 0A = Digits = Number of displayed digits: 0 = 7 digits, 1 = 6 (def. 1)
; 0B...0Eh = (not in use)
; 0F = Defaults = When set to 01...FFh then defaults are restored to EEPROM
; on next power-on.

After the 16F84 (16C84) PIC has been programmed and +5 V power is connected to the PIC, the default values are saved automatically into the EEPROM.

If you going to use your counter to measure the VFO frequency and use it for receiving frequency indication, you have to know the receiver IF-frequency (455kHz, 9.000 MHz..etc).
With the SSB mode you must know the BFO frequency and use it as a Display offset. E.g. BFO frequency for LSB is 9001.5 MHz and USB 8998.5 MHz in superheterodyne receiver. With AM and FM mode use IF frequency as Display offset.
Next you have to convert this frequency to hexa format so that the first digit on right means 10 Hz decade e.g 9000.00 kHz IF = 900000. Conversion to hexa = DBBA0 h. Next this hexa value is divided for two digit groups by starting from right: 0D BB A0
D = 0D = MFt1_HigB
BB = MFt1_MidB
A0 = MFt1_LowB

Calculate MFt2 using similar method if needed.

Parameter settings

1. Keep RB0 in state true (1) and connect +5 V to the counter.
2. Text "EEPROM MODE x.x" is displayed. (x.x = software version)
3. Text is shown at least 1.4 seconds until the RB0...RB3 have value False (0)
4. Next text "ADDR:00 DATA: FF" is displayed. This means EEPROM address 00h and its data value is FFh.
5. Press the RB1 (increment) or RB2 (decrement) to set calculated RF offset values.
6. When the data value is correct, press RB3 to save the value to EEPROM. When saved text "*SAVED*" is displayed and data is read again and displayed. This is a method to check the value immediately after saving.
7. Select next address 01h by RB0 and set the next data value. Press RB3 to save the value to EEPROM.
8. Repeat until all needed parameters have been set and saved (EEPROM addresses 01...0Ah).
9. Addresses 0B...0Eh are not in use. Exit the EEPROM MODE by disconnecting +5V.
10. Connect +5V back to the counter. Now the counter should display the measured frequency. (COUNTER MODE).
11. Calibrate the counter by comparing with another calibrated counter or by means of receiver (short wave reference station).

    EXAMPLE:

    The minimum step is 1 us using the combinations of EE_fine1 & 2 based on the 4 MHz crystal. Relative effect of the one step is 1us/100000 us = 0.00001. A bit smaller value for T4 (see the mpasm code) is used than calculated according to formula in mpasm code to get +/- adjusting range for final correction by EE_fine1 and EE_fine2.
    The correct calibration value is found by means of the combination of EE_fine1&2 and comparing to reference frequency source. E.g. the freq. of calibrated reference source is 10.00000 MHz and counter shows 9.99980 MHz, then the counting window is too short. Increase DELAY.
    See the table below.

    However the most accurate calibration tuning is made in HW by adjusting one of the capacitor in the crystal circuit.

    ---------------------------------------
    07h 08h
    DELAY EE_fine1 EE_fine2
    1== 3 us 1== 4 us
    ---------------------------------------
    60 us 02h 09h
    61 us 13h 01h
    62 us 12h 02h
    63 us 03h 09h
    64 us 14h 01h
    65 us 13h 02h
    66 us 12h 03h
    67 us 15h ----> 01h ---> Default
    68 us 14h 02h
    69 us 13h 03h
    70 us 16h 01h
    71 us 15h 02h
    72 us 14h 03h
    73 us 13h 04h
    74 us 16h 02h
    ---------------------------------------

12. Change the EEPROM address 07 & 08 values according to table above until the nearest value has been found. If the displayed frequency is below the reference, increase the delay and vise versa.

How to use