How to start a SPIN FV-1 project

[edo1123]

Guys, I need your help. I'm planning on building a FV-1 pedal with the layout posted here. What I need to know is how do I put the program in the EEPROM? I mean, I know I need a usb compiler, but I read in some forum I need to compile the program in a certain format otherwise it won't work and I don't even know if SpinCAD is suited for the task. So I need all the basics to start this journey. I read the SPIN forum, but I still miss some piece. I know this is the right place to start, so please enlight me.

[BuGG]

First you'll need a USB EEPROM programmer.... CH341A is cheap (less than $5 on ebay), TL866CS is slightly nicer (can flash multiple EEPROMs as well as AVRs)  but costs around $50 - 60.  

Next you'll need the SpinASM IDE, this is a free download from the Spin Semi website.   This is how you'll compile your SpinASM source code into the Intel HEX format that the FV-1 wants to see.

I'll assume you don't have experience developing DSP code in Assembly, so you'll need to download SpinCAD (visual design tool).


Once you've created your algorithm in SpinCAD you will export it as an ASM file, then compile it to Intel HEX using SpinASM IDE.

Write the HEX to your EEPROM using the software that comes with your USB programmer.


Technically SpinCAD can export HEX format now, eliminating the need for the SpinASM IDE, but I personally prefer to do it that way because of the debugging functionality of the IDE.

[edo1123]

That's enlightening. I had some rough ideas on how the whole process would worked and now I know where to start. Now I have a new question. In my quest for knowledge, I found the eeprom could be able load more algorithms so it should be possible to switch from different algorithms on the same eeprom. Any ideas on how to do that? There should be a rotary encoder involved.

[Zerikin]

Depends on how many programs you want to access. With an ON-OFF-ON switch you can get 3 programs. With that and a ON-ON switch you can get 6. Or you can do something fancy if you want to get all 8. Besides the EEPROM programers you can also program it over anything that supports I2C. I've been programming mine with a Raspberry Pi.

Also make sure to checkout SpinCAD for creating programs.

[edo1123]

How I get access to all 8 algorithms? Is it something simple like wiring a rotary encoder as a simple switch or I have to use other ics to make it possible? I'm a total beginner in this kind of stuff.

[Zerikin]

There are 3 pins that control the loaded program, which gives you 8 binary combinations.

http://www.spinsemi.com/Products/datasheets/spn1001/FV-1.pdf

[BetterOffShred]

Grayhill makes an 8 position encoder as used in the Holy Grail mod to get 8 positions out of 3 switches

94HBB08 is what I used on the Holy Grail.  

Grayhill offers the 8 bit encoder in a variety of options. I'd like to give a spin chip a try myself.. ordered one of those cheap EEProm flashers.