M5StickC Plus Web Server

The M5StickC Plus Web Server based Fast Loader was developed by Ian Murray (coolsnaz2 on the vintage radio forum).  The Web Server is a modified version of David Bird's AsyncWebServer.

It runs on an M5StickC Plus which is an ESP32 based IoT device with Wi-Fi and screen, it can be purchased from PiHut, strangely cheaper if you buy the watch accessory kit.

M5StickC Plus Fast Loader Set-up

You will need the following files:

• ESPAsynch_Server_vM5.ino
• credentials.h
• MK14.jpg

Windows Driver Installation

The M5Stick requires the FTDI driver so if this is not already installed then connect the device to the PC, open device manager and install it from here https://ftdichip.com/drivers/.

Arduino Development Environment Setup

(This was completed using Windows 7 and Arduino IDE version 1.8.19)

1. if not already installed, install the Arduino IDE from here https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
2. from the Arduino IDE, select File -> Preferences -> Settings and copy the M5Stack board management URL to the Additional Boards Manager :https://m5stack.oss-cn-shenzhen.aliyuncs.com/resource/arduino/package_m5stack_index.json
3. select Tools -> Board -> Boards Manager, in the pop-up box search for M5Stack and click Install
4. select Tools -> Board -> M5Stack -> M5StickC-Plus
5. select Tools -> Manage Libraries, in the pop-up box search for M5StickCPlus and Install
6. select Tools -> Port -> and select the serial port your M5StickC is connected to (can be found by running Control Panel -> Device Manager)

It’s then a good idea to check the IDE is working and communicating with your M5StickC - open the ‘Hello_World’ test program and upload to the M5StickC.

• Hello_World.ino

(Compilation and downloading is quite slow and I have found that it is important to wait for the final steps when the IDE resets the M5Stick otherwise it is difficult to get USB communications working again.)

Server Install

1. go to https://github.com/me-no-dev/ESPAsyncWebServer and download the Code as a ZIP file
2. select Sketch -> Include Library -> Add .ZIP Library and navigate to the downloaded library file
3. put the ESPAsynch_Server_vM5 file in a folder with the same name together with the credentials.h file
4. open the credentials.h file with a text editor and amend the Wi-Fi details for your set-up
5. you can then Upload to the StickM5
6. once this completes the display will show the Web Servers IP address which you should then be able to browse to:

7. finally select Upload and navigate to the MK14.jpg file to load the logo file onto the home page

Connecting to the MK14

There are two methods by which the StickM5 can be connected to the MK14using either the 8-pin EXT I/O connector or the 4-pin Grove connector.  Ian’s code defaults to using the EXT I/O connector, if you want to use the Grove connector then the pin allocations will need to be changed in the ESPAsynch_Server_vM5.ino file, lines 63 and 64.

The EXT I/O connector is the preferred method because that way the M5StickC is powered/charged from the MK14 which is not possible via the Grove connector.

At the MK14 connections are made to SIN and Sense B, on an original MK14 (or clone) these two lines may have been connected together for the cassette interface and will need to be separated if this has been used.  Both signals are available on the rear edge connector (SIN: pin 27, Sense B: pin 28).  On the MK14E they are accessible at the LK6/7 links or from Issue 1.1 boards on, via the 'Fast Loader' connector J6.

Here is the M5Stick Fast Loader connected to a replica MK14:

and connected to a MK14E:

To follow

EXT I/O

This is an 8-way 0.1” pitch socket with connections as follows:

• 1 - GND
• 2 - 5V (out)
• 3 - G26
• 4 - G36/G25
• 5 - G0
• 6 - BAT
• 7 - 3V3
• 8 - 5V (in)

Connect to MK14 as follows:

• Pin 1 to MK14 GND (edge connector pin 4,5 or 6)
• Pin 3 to MK14 SIN (edge connector pin 27)
• Pin 4 to MK14 Sense B (edge connector pin 28)
• Pin 8 to MK14 5V *

* there is no +5V at the edgeconnector, do not connect to +8V !

Grove Connector

This is an special 4-way 2mm pitch socket with connections as follows:

• 1 - GND
• 2 - 5V (out)
• 3 - G26
• 4 - G36/G25

Connect as follows:

• Pin 1 (Black) to MK14 GND (edge connector pin 4,5 or 6)
• Pin 2 (Red) - do not connect
• Pin 3 (Yellow) to MK14 SIN (edge connector pin 27)
• Pin 4 (White) to MK14 Sense B (edge connector pin 28)

Sending Files to the MK14

The MK14 must be running the new version of SCIOS V3 (with the orange and purple dots) and files must be in Intel Hex format.

1. first load the files you wish to send on the Web Server using the Upload menu
2. on the MK14 enter the execution address of the Fast Loader program $0052 and press GO
3. on the Web Server go to the Stream menu and select the file you wish to download
4. the red LED will flash briefly (its quick !) on the M5Stick whilst it is loading

If you have the VDU attached make sure it is off during loading.

To turn off the M5Stick press and hold the power switch for 6 seconds.

You can also load files directly from the M5Stick screen by pressing Button B to select a file and then Button A to Stream. 

Back to MK14

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