g540 5i25 7i76 confusion

I am using the g540 to drive my steppers. There is xyzx, vfd spindle control, and homing. I don't understand why the 7i76 is needed. Can someone help me understand if i need the 7i76? I know I need the 5i25 to reduce latency. I have read both manuals and looked at other builds but can't figure this out.

Thanks

If you have a G540 you do not need a 7I76 (unless you have additional discrete step motor drives and you need a lot of I/O)

A 5I25 will drive a G540 directly

okay great. I'll flash it with the g540x2 and use the p1 connection to connect the 540. I appreciate the confirmation on this.

I have flashed my 5i25 to the g540x2 firmware. I am now struggling to understand how to get the g540 to interface with the 5i25. I have followed a couple of threads and mailing lists.

From what I can gather I need to edit some hal, ini and xml files. Do I use my previous working stepconf files?

I have also attempted to add some g540 xml and g540 pin information to the /lib/firmware/hm2 area. It does show up in the pncconf but I am unable to select the g540 firmware I am looking for on the Mesa0 Configuration-board page.

thanks

I would try updating pnnconf to the latest
I think the latest version supports the G540 config natively

If not I would just start out with a hm2-stepper sample config and edit to suit

Is using git the best way to update pncconf? this was helpful: www.mail-archive.com/emc-users@lists.sou...ge.net/msg51990.html

just have to figure it out.

thanks for your help

It looks like pncconf can make a prob-rfx2 config. That ought to work for the g540 also +- a few minor differences

Gecko G540 Mesa 5i25 Configuration with terminal

Getting the g540 configured with the 5i25 was difficult for me. I am writing this because there were only one or two
helpful threads on getting it configured properly. The threads on the subject were not concise enough for me.

My settings below, are for one G540, one 5i25 and no daughter card or breakout board.
I am running debian wheezy, so mesaflash is already installed. Mesaflash is required unless you purchased the 5i25 flashed
with g540x2.bit from the factory.

Get these files for the 5i25 from the mesa website - 5i25.zip

Flash the 5i25

In the terminal:

Restart the computer

Next verify the flash (in the same directory as above)

verify against a bit file you didn't flash to compare

Now create a folder in /lib/firmware/hm2

Put 5i25_g540x2 .pin and .xml files in the new folder

same for .xml:

Verify the files and folder are there:

Next post will be for the pncconf configuration.
Then i have to figure out homing, touch off plate , spindle speed/at speed control . Those were all working in my old stepconf.