Picaso Processor
Datasheet
©
2017 4D Labs Semiconductors
Page 14 of 27
www.4dsystems.com.au
7.
In Circuit Serial Programming
The Picaso processor is a custom graphics processor.
All functionality including the high level commands are
built into the chip. This chip level configuration is
available as a Firmware/PmmC (Personality-module-
micro-Code) file.
A PmmC file contains all of the low level micro-code
information (analogy of that of a soft silicon) which
define the characteristics and functionality of the
device. The ability of programming the device with a
PmmC file provides an extremely flexible method of
customising as well as upgrading it with future
enhancements.
A PmmC file can only be programmed into the device
via its COM0 serial port and an access to this must be
provided for on the target application board. This is
referred to as In Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP).
Figure below provides a typical implementation for
the ICSP interface.
The PmmC file is programmed into the device with the
aid of Workshop4, the 4D Labs IDE software (See
). To provide a link between the PC and the
ICSP interface, a specific 4D Programming Cable is
required and is available from 4D Systems.
Using a non-4D programming interface could damage
your processor, and void your Warranty.
Note:
The Picaso processor is shipped blank and it
must be programmed with the PmmC configuration
file.
8.
Picaso Architecture
The figure below illustrates the Picaso Processors
architecture.
Picaso is a high level graphics processor which runs the
high level 4DGL (4D Graphics Language).
It is not a conventional microcontroller with
conventional microcontroller architecture, it is a
custom graphics processor and therefore low level
access to the chip is not required nor available to the
User.
4DGL provides high level functions for the User and
does all the low level work in the background in a
highly optimised fashion.