Best Tutorial and resources for Newbies/ xsoftip missing Topic is solved

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hessa59
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Best Tutorial and resources for Newbies/ xsoftip missing

Post by hessa59 »

I have just taken delivery of a a start kit and am trying to get my brain around the xmos world. Does anybody know of a book or series of step by step tutorials for newbies,

There seems to be a lot of resources but they don't seem to provide a clear learning path.

I tried to use the xTime Studio Tutorial but it recommends that I use xSoftip Explorer which is apparently no longer included with xtime composer.

I need the most help with creating projects from scratch and then importing libraries etc.



I haven't been able to find a book or video tutorial series that is geared for the current version of xtime composer

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


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mon2
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Post by mon2 »

Hi hessa59 and welcome to the world of XMOS.

1) Be sure you have the latest xtimeComposer Community tool 14.2.4 (at this time):

14.2.4 download
https://www.xmos.com/support/tools

2) After installation, you will need internet access to enable the tool and then the xsoftIP on the bottom left corner should populate as noted.

3) Start with the 3x3 blinky or similar example:

https://www.xmos.com/support/appnotes?s ... 20examples

worth reading:
http://www.xcore.com/viewtopic.php?t=3440

http://www.xcore.com/viewtopic.php?f=44 ... ial#p15680

https://ajb2k3.wordpress.com/2013/12/27 ... it-step-1/

http://www.xmos.com/support/examples

the following tutorial may still be of help but is a bit dated on the tool version:

http://www.softio.com/doc/xmos_tutorial_v11.pdf

Your startkit is based on a 2 Tile CPU of which one tile is dedicated to the JTAG and debugging function so is not available for user access. The other tile is available for your projects and offers the support to run 8 parallel processes (8 threads or if you will, 8 logical cores).

XMOS CPU vary in complexity with respect to the # of tiles; each tile can then be supported with 4 logical cores; 6 logical cores; 8 logical cores. The XMOS CPU devices can be cascaded via LVDS interface to allow for stitching the devices together so that your code can launch on say CPU # 10, core 2, etc.

Start with the above and ping back in the user forum when you have questions.
hessa59
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Post by hessa59 »

Hi Mon2

Thanks for the list of resources! I am still a little confused about xsoftip however.

I have installed 14.2.4 and when I go to window open perspective, xsoftIP is not there. I previously uninstalled 14.2.4 and installed 13 dot something. I was able to get xsofttip but there was no reference to startkit. There was a mention of startkit in the developer window. However the developer window was totally frozen. Nothing I clicked on in it would respond even after a considerable wait.

I do have a library window in the bottom left in 14.2.4. Perhaps this is the new xsoftIP?

Also, I just noticed that when I click on the help button on the left in 14.2.4 I get a blank screen. I do have internet connectivity because I am viewing and posting to this forum.

Anyway thanks I guess I will start reading through some of the tutorials while I try to get my xtime working.
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mon2
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Post by mon2 »

Hi. On the left side, there should be a button marked EXAMPLES - do you see this with the latest installed tools ? Select this button and then the internet connection will fetch all of the current examples -> scroll down till you see the StartKit examples. By double clicking any of theseStartKit examples, the project will import and should allow for a quick compilation of the example to allow for testing with the docked StartKit.
hessa59
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Post by hessa59 »

Thanks Mon2 I am trying to work through them. Just curious, do you also get a blank screen when you click on the help icon on the left.
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mon2
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Post by mon2 »

Hi. Something is not setup correctly on your side with this tool installation. My laptop is on 14.2.3 and I see the following (no dead people:) :

For examples:
Image






For Help screen:

Image

Double check which JRE version you have installed. Also note that the JRE must be version 1.6 or higher and 32 bit, even if you are on a 64 bit box.
hessa59
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Post by hessa59 »

I did a check and I got this:
Image
version 1.8.0_91-b60 64 bit

Should I add the 32 bit version to my computer or do I need to uninstall the 64 bit?

Thanks again!
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mon2
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Post by mon2 »

It is okay to install the 32 bit version of the JRE as well. Both version can be on the same os.
hessa59
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Post by hessa59 »

Thanks Mon
Currently have 32bit 1.8.0_91 installed and help works!
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