MKRRGB Doesn't Compile

[jwestmoreland]

To Reproduce:

In an portenta_m7 sketch:

#include <SPI.h>
#include <ArduinoGraphics.h>
#include <Arduino_MKRRGB.h>

Error Messages:
\Arduino-Pro-Sketch\libraries\Arduino_MKRRGB\src\MKRRGBMatrix.cpp:25:29: error: 'sercom0' was not declared in this scope
 static SPIClass SPI_MATRIX(&sercom0, A3, A4, A3, SPI_PAD_0_SCK_1, SERCOM_RX_PAD_0);
                             ^~~~~~~
\Arduino-Pro-Sketch\libraries\Arduino_MKRRGB\src\MKRRGBMatrix.cpp:25:29: note: suggested alternative: 'strcoll'
 static SPIClass SPI_MATRIX(&sercom0, A3, A4, A3, SPI_PAD_0_SCK_1, SERCOM_RX_PAD_0);
                             ^~~~~~~
                             strcoll
\Arduino-Pro-Sketch\libraries\Arduino_MKRRGB\src\MKRRGBMatrix.cpp:25:50: error: 'SPI_PAD_0_SCK_1' was not declared in this scope
 static SPIClass SPI_MATRIX(&sercom0, A3, A4, A3, SPI_PAD_0_SCK_1, SERCOM_RX_PAD_0);
                                                  ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\Arduino-Pro-Sketch\libraries\Arduino_MKRRGB\src\MKRRGBMatrix.cpp:25:50: note: suggested alternative: 'SPI_CFG2_SP_1'
 static SPIClass SPI_MATRIX(&sercom0, A3, A4, A3, SPI_PAD_0_SCK_1, SERCOM_RX_PAD_0);
                                                  ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                                                  SPI_CFG2_SP_1
\Arduino-Pro-Sketch\libraries\Arduino_MKRRGB\src\MKRRGBMatrix.cpp:25:67: error: 'SERCOM_RX_PAD_0' was not declared in this scope
 static SPIClass SPI_MATRIX(&sercom0, A3, A4, A3, SPI_PAD_0_SCK_1, SERCOM_RX_PAD_0);
                                                                   ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\Arduino-Pro-Sketch\libraries\Arduino_MKRRGB\src\MKRRGBMatrix.cpp: In member function 'virtual int RGBMatrixClass::begin()':
\Arduino-Pro-Sketch\libraries\Arduino_MKRRGB\src\MKRRGBMatrix.cpp:74:21: error: 'PIO_SERCOM_ALT' was not declared in this scope
   pinPeripheral(A3, PIO_SERCOM_ALT);
                     ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~
\Arduino-Pro-Sketch\libraries\Arduino_MKRRGB\src\MKRRGBMatrix.cpp:74:21: note: suggested alternative: 'PIN_SERIAL_TX'
   pinPeripheral(A3, PIO_SERCOM_ALT);
                     ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                     PIN_SERIAL_TX
\Arduino-Pro-Sketch\libraries\Arduino_MKRRGB\src\MKRRGBMatrix.cpp:74:3: error: 'pinPeripheral' was not declared in this scope
   pinPeripheral(A3, PIO_SERCOM_ALT);
   ^~~~~~~~~~~~~
\Arduino-Pro-Sketch\libraries\Arduino_MKRRGB\src\MKRRGBMatrix.cpp:74:3: note: suggested alternative: 'pinmap_peripheral'
   pinPeripheral(A3, PIO_SERCOM_ALT);
   ^~~~~~~~~~~~~
   pinmap_peripheral
Compilation error: Error: 2 UNKNOWN: exit status 1

Regards,
John W.

[facchinm]

Arduino_MKRRGB library only targets SAMD boards (MKR) and the SPI pins it uses (A3 and A4) are not SPI capable in PortentaH7. We'll check for a solution but it's not sure we can find one that doesn't involve moving the pins.

[jwestmoreland]

@facchinm ,

OK - but Potenta has "MKR" compatible pin assignments and MKR compatible connectors, correct?

I've been trying to get that to work - and maybe if this isn't 100% compatible it could explain some issues I've seen with Serial1.

Thanks,
John W.

[facchinm]

The MKR connector are compatible on the 1st level of functionality (SPI, I2C, Serial, analog and gpios), not on the additional mux functionality that depend on the particular microcontroller in use.
Which kind of issues are you experiencing on Serial1?

[jwestmoreland]

@facchinm ,

From the ST datasheet - it looks like A3 can be configured as a SPI output:

For serial1 - I have a sketch where this worked fine:

// command to write string to Lumex LDM-6432 display
static void Write_AT_Command(char *string)
{
#ifdef USING_LUMEX_DISPLAY
  Serial1.print(string);
  while (Serial1.read() != 'E') {}
  delay(2);
#endif

Now the function looks like this to get it not to time out or get hung:

#define SERIAL_CTR_TIME_OUT 100

#ifdef USING_LUMEX_DISPLAY
// command to write string to Lumex LDM-6432 display
static void Write_AT_Command(char *string)
{
static int counter_lum = 0;
 //    Serial1.flush();
 //  (Serial1.available()) {
do {
    counter_lum++;
    delay(1);
  } while ( !(Serial1.available()) && ( counter_lum < SERIAL_CTR_TIME_OUT) );
counter_lum = 0;

 //   Serial1.write(string);
 //   Serial1.read();
    Serial1.print(string);
 // while (Serial1.read() != 'E') {

do {
    counter_lum++;
    delay(1);
  } while ( ( Serial1.read() != 'E') && ( counter_lum < SERIAL_CTR_TIME_OUT) );
// counter = 0;
//     delay(1);
  delay(1);
 // }

}
#endif

At least I had to do that to make any progress - Serial1 was getting hung. This worked fine with the previous MKR boards - Vidor, Nano 33 IoT, WiFi 1010.

Regards,
John

[facchinm]

None of the pins wired to the RGD shield are capable of outputting an SPI clock, which is needed for the functionality.
About Serial1 I probably need a complete and minimal sketch demonstrating the issue.

[facchinm]

This sketch works fine in my configuration

#define SERIAL_CTR_TIME_OUT 100
#define USING_LUMEX_DISPLAY

// command to write string to Lumex LDM-6432 display
static void Write_AT_Command(char *string)
{
  static int counter_lum = 0;
  do {
    counter_lum++;
    delay(1);
  } while ( !(Serial1.available()) && ( counter_lum < SERIAL_CTR_TIME_OUT) );
  counter_lum = 0;

  Serial1.print(string);

  do {
    counter_lum++;
    delay(1);
  } while ( ( Serial1.read() != 'E') && ( counter_lum < SERIAL_CTR_TIME_OUT) );
  delay(1);
  Serial1.println(counter_lum);
}

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
  Serial1.begin(115200);
}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
  Write_AT_Command("test");
}

It prints

test100
test100
test100
test100

if I press any key except 'E' and

test46
test3
test45

if I keep pressing it.
Is it the expected output?

[jwestmoreland]

@facchinm ,

Do you happen to have one of these by any chance:?
https://www.lumex.com/ezDisplay-Dot-Matrix-Indoor.html

I can provide the demo sketch for that since I'm communicating with one of those.

Regards,
John

[jwestmoreland]

OK - I'll run your sketch and report back then.

For the LDM-6432, it will send an 'E' command when a string command is completed; just so that's clear.

[jwestmoreland]

Does this work OK for you:

// command to write string to Lumex LDM-6432 display
static void Write_AT_Command(char *string)
{
#ifdef USING_LUMEX_DISPLAY
Serial1.print(string);
while (Serial1.read() != 'E') {}
delay(2);
#endif

Thanks,
John

[facchinm]

Do you happen to have one of these by any chance:?
https://www.lumex.com/ezDisplay-Dot-Matrix-Indoor.html

Unfortunately not; but using the second function you sent me I get a print of "test" every time I press 'E' (which is the expected behavior reading the sources)

[jwestmoreland]

@facchinm ,

OK - I hope something isn't going on electrically so to speak with the Portenta I have on Serial1.

I'm going to hook up an external FTDI/USB I/F to Serial1 and see if I can duplicate your results.
While you're here if you don't mind - are there any updates on when this will be available:
https://www.arduino.cc/pro/hardware/product/portenta-carrier ?

It may take a little while to get back - I need to build a little harness to get a Serial1 terminal going.

Another quick question - does the Portenta run a little hot?

Thanks!
John

[facchinm]

Yup, I'm testing with an FTDI, so the issue could be electrical.
About the carrier we are completing the validation; as soon as it's ok it will probably take another couple of months before general availability (but there could be a beta test phase if you are interested 😉 )

[jwestmoreland]

Definitely interested in the beta phase...

Will let you know if I see something electrically with my board - sure hope not but I could have done something maybe...

Thanks!
John

[jwestmoreland]

Martino,

Ah, is Serial1 a designated debug port?

I'm getting this after hooking up the FTDI I/F - this will definitely goof up the LDM-6432...

Restart single access loop count 99850  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99850  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99850  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99866  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99943  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99850  stat 4
Scan result: channel=1 signal=-43 ssid= bssid=
Scan result: channel=1 signal=-69 ssid= bssid=
Scan result: channel=1 signal=-43 ssid=
Scan result: channel=1 signal=-69 ssid= bssid=
Scan result: channel=1 signal=-86 ssid=
Scan result: channel=1 signal=-67 ssid=
Scan result: channel=1 signal=-42 ssid=
Scan result: channel=1 signal=-68 ssid=
Scan result: channel=1 signal=-54 ssid= bssid=
Scan result: channel=6 signal=-53 ssid= bssid=
Restart single access loop count 99849  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99850  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99850  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99849  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99850  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99850  stat 4
Scan result: channel=6 signal=-81 ssid=
Scan result: channel=1 signal=-57 ssid= 
Scan result: channel=1 signal=-43 ssid= bssid
Scan result: channel=1 signal=-57 ssid= bssid=
Restart single access loop count 99849  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99850  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99849  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99850  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99899  stat 4
Restart single access loop count 99850  stat 4

Thanks,
John

[facchinm]

It is, totally my fault not to think that you were using WiFi too.
I'm preparing a PR to remove prints from WiFi driver and will tag you as soon as it's ready!
Sorry for the misunderstanding, now everything is much more clear 🙂