M

Authors:

AN670
Table 2 depicts Microchips 32-bit floating point register RAM usage. The bit labeled S is the sign bit. These registers are collectively called AARG. The floating point routines require that the arguments be put in AARG and BARG (BARG is the second argument, same format as AARG). The result of the floating point operation is stored in AARG.

Floating Point to ASCII Conversion

Rick Evans Microchip Technology, Inc.

INTRODUCTION
It is often necessary to output a floating point number to a display. For example, to check calculations, one might want to output floating point numbers using the PICmicro microcontrollers serial port, or use general purpose I/O to output to a liquid crystal display (LCD). Either way, the floating point number must be converted to its ASCII equivalent. This document shows a specific example of converting a 32-bit floating point number to ASCII. Application note AN575 contains 24-bit and 32-bit floating point routines. A subroutine is provided here that does the conversion and returns the ASCII equivalent in RAM. An example main program is provided to show how to use the subroutine.

Floating Point to ASCII base 10 Conversion

Floating point numbers generated by the AN575 subroutines sometimes need to be displayed. According to AN575, the number range for the floating point numbers is: 1.17549435x10-38 to 6.80564693x10+38. This application note will only show how to convert numbers between 0.000 to 9.999. With modification, this method can be extended to convert other ranges of numbers as well. The calling program should ensure that the AARG registers are loaded with the correct 32-bit floating point number: either as a result of a previous floating point operation or by manually loading the AARG. The main routine that calls float_ascii is shown in Appendix A. For demonstration purposes, lets take an approximation of and load it into the AARG register. Well use the number 3.1415927. (A shortcut to determine the Microchip floating point numbers is to use fprep.exe. The program fprep.exe is provided with AN575 to convert a decimal number to Microchip floating point.) Then, the float_ascii subroutine is called. Upon return from the subroutine, the ASCII base 10 representation of the floating point number is stored in RAM registers: ones, tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. Each register (ones, tenths, etc.) has an ASCII character which represents a digit. The decimal point is not included in the register RAM. Since it is given that the number is between 0.000 and 9.999, the display routine should manually output a decimal point after it outputs the first digit. Table 3 shows the ASCII values of each digit. The numbers are 3.141.

FLOATING POINT FORMAT OVERVIEW

Application note AN575 describes the Microchip format of 24 and 32-bit floating point numbers. We will use the 32-bit format for this example. Table 1 reviews the 32-bit floating point format.

TABLE 1: ARGUMENT FORMAT FOR MICROCHIP 32-BIT FLOATING POINT FORMAT

Name AEXP AARGB0 AARGB1 AARGB2 Description 8-bit biased exponent from -126 to +128 MSB of mantissa (bit7 is the sign bit) middle byte of mantissa LSB of mantissa

TABLE 2: 32-BIT FLOATING POINT FORMAT

AARG Register Name Microchip 32-bit format AEXP xxxx xxxx AARG B0 Sxxx xxxx AARG B1 xxxx xxxx AARG B2 xxxx xxxx

2001 Microchip Technology Inc.

DS00670B-page 1

AN670
TABLE 3: THE ASCII VALUES FOR 3.141 DECIMAL RETURNED FROM ROUTINE float_ascii
Register Name ones tenths hundredths thousandths ASCII 33h 31h 34h 31h

FIGURE 2: LOADING BARG WITH 10,000

movlw movwf movlw movwf movlw movwf movlw movwf 0x8C BEXP 0x1C BARGB0 0x40 BARGB1 0x00 BARGB2 ;BARG = 10,000 decimal ;(floating point) fprep.exe ;was used to get this ;floating point ;representation

Customizing the Routine

There are several changes you can make to the float_ascii routine to customize it. First, the number of significant figures in the number is specified by the constant SIG_FIG. Suppose we wanted to display one more digit of accuracy, four digits to the right of the decimal point. It is easy to alter the floasc.inc assembly file to account for this change. The following steps illustrate how to change the source code to return a total of five digits. 1. Ensure that there is enough RAM registers allocated to hold each digit. In this case, we would change the cblock definition as in Figure 1.

SUMMARY
This document demonstrated converting a limited range of the floating point numbers to ASCII. This is useful in order to display the results of some floating point operation. An example application of this code could be with the PIC14C000 microcontroller. Using the analog-to-digital converter module, one could read the voltage on a pin from 0.000 to 3.500 volts and output the decimal number to an LCD.

FIGURE 1: CHANGING CBLOCK TO HOLD FIVE DIGITS

cblock ones tenths hundredths thousandths digit5 endc ;reserve five bytes of ;data RAM for each digit ; ; ; ;**** Add one more ;RAM register

2.

The last_digit constant must be changed. This constant contains the address of the last variable in the cblock. In this case, the variable digit5 is the last location.
last_digit set digit5

3.

Now the constant, SIG_FIG should be equated to the number of digits desired. For example, if we desire four digits to the right of the decimal point, there are a total of five digits that must be obtained.
SIG_FIG equ 5

4.

Load BARG with ten thousand. Use fprep.exe to find the floating point hexadecimal equivalent of 10,000.

DS00670B-page 2

2001 Microchip Technology Inc.

AN670
Software License Agreement
The software supplied herewith by Microchip Technology Incorporated (the Company) for its PICmicro Microcontroller is intended and supplied to you, the Companys customer, for use solely and exclusively on Microchip PICmicro Microcontroller products. The software is owned by the Company and/or its supplier, and is protected under applicable copyright laws. All rights are reserved. Any use in violation of the foregoing restrictions may subject the user to criminal sanctions under applicable laws, as well as to civil liability for the breach of the terms and conditions of this license. THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED IN AN AS IS CONDITION. NO WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE APPLY TO THIS SOFTWARE. THE COMPANY SHALL NOT, IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER.

APPENDIX A:
list p=16c74a,st=off,mm=off #define P16_MAP1 0 #define P16_MAP2 1 include p16c74a.inc nolist include math16.inc list cblock 0x70 endc

;constants and varible definitions ;set cblock start address for ;float_ascii routine

org goto org start movlw movwf movlw movwf movlw movwf movlw movwf call

0x000 start 0x005

0x80 AEXP 0x49 AARGB0 0x0F AARGB1 0xDB AARGB2 float_ascii

; 1 2345678 ;PI = 3.1415927

;convert a 32-bit float to ASCII ;in this case ;ones = 3 ;tenths = 1 ;hundredths = 4 ;thousandths = 1

done

goto

done

include floasc.inc

end

2001 Microchip Technology Inc.

DS00670B-page 3

AN670
;**************************************************************************** ;*Floating Point to ASCII ;* ;* INPUT: 32 bit floating point number in AEXP, AARGB0, AARGB1, AARGB2 ;* For this example, the number must be between 0.000 and 9.999. ;* (You can easily change the number range to suit your needs.) ;* ;* OUTPUT: ones, tenths, hundredths, thousandths (ASCII digit in each) ;* ;* ;* USED: INDF,FSR,AARG,BARG,REMB,digit_count ;* ;* PROCEDURE: The floating point number in AARG is multiplied by 1000. ;* Then the product is divided by 10 three times. After each ;* divide, the remainder is kept. ;* ;* After each digit is obtained, 30H is added to it to make it ;* an ASCII representation of that number. Then, the ASCII ;* value is stored in register RAM at the locations specified ;* in the cblock. ;* ;*Note: The ASCII decimal point is not generated by this routine. ;* You must output the decimal point in the correct decimal ;* position for your application. For this example, the ;* decimal point is after the first digit: ones. ;* ;* The following files are needed for this routine to function. ;* p16c74a.inc-- or any other midrange processor include file ;* include the processor file in your main file ;* ;* math16.inc -- constant and variable definitions for ;* AN575 floating point routines and ;* AN617 fixed point routines, both are used ;* in this float to ASCII routine ;* include this file in your main program ;* ;* fxd26.a16 -- fixed point 32/16 divide, included at the end ;* of this routine. ;* ;* fp32.a16-- 32 bit float to 32 bit integer conversion ;* included at the end of this program. ;* ;****************************************************************************

;RAM Register Definitions

Your main program must have a cblock ;directive with a RAM address so the ;following cblock will be located in RAM ;reserve four bytes of data RAM for ;each digit

cblock ones tenths hundredths thousandths endc last_digit set thousandths cblock digit_count endc

;counter used to cycle through each digit

SIG_FIG equ

;set SIG_FIG equal to the number of

DS00670B-page 4

2001 Microchip Technology Inc.

AN670
;significant figures in your decimal number ;for example: ones, tenths,hundredths, ;thousandths, requires 4 sig figs float_ascii movlw movwf movlw movwf movlw movwf movlw movwf 0x88 BEXP 0x7A BARGB0 0x00 BARGB1 0x00 BARGB2 ;BARG= 1000 decimal (floating point) ;fprep.exe was used to get this ;floating point representation of 1000

call call movlw movwf movlw movwf flo_asclp clrf movlw movwf call movf movwf movlw addwf decf

FPM32 INT3232 last_digit FSR SIG_FIG digit_count

;AARG = AARG * 1000 ;AARG <-INT( AARG )

;pointer = address of smallest digit ;load counter with the number of ;significant figures the decimal number

BARGB0 d10 BARGB1 FXD3216U REMB1,w INDF 0x30 INDF,f FSR,f

;Make the divisor 10.

;divide (32-bit fixed) / 10 (to get remainder) ;put remainder in w register ;put number into appropriate digit position

;add 30h to decimal number to convert to ASCII ;move pointer to next digit

decfsz digit_count,f goto flo_asclp return nolist include fxd26.a16 include fp32.a16 ;fixed point 32/16 divide from AN617 ;32 bit float routines ;we are using FPM32 for 32-bit multiply ;and INT3232 for 32-bit float to 32-bit int ;conversion. Routines are in AN575

2001 Microchip Technology Inc.

DS00670B-page 5

AN670
NOTES:

DS00670B-page 6

2001 Microchip Technology Inc.

Note the following details of the code protection feature on PICmicro MCUs. The PICmicro family meets the specifications contained in the Microchip Data Sheet. Microchip believes that its family of PICmicro microcontrollers is one of the most secure products of its kind on the market today, when used in the intended manner and under normal conditions. There are dishonest and possibly illegal methods used to breach the code protection feature. All of these methods, to our knowledge, require using the PICmicro microcontroller in a manner outside the operating specifications contained in the data sheet. The person doing so may be engaged in theft of intellectual property. Microchip is willing to work with the customer who is concerned about the integrity of their code. Neither Microchip nor any other semiconductor manufacturer can guarantee the security of their code. Code protection does not mean that we are guaranteeing the product as unbreakable. Code protection is constantly evolving. We at Microchip are committed to continuously improving the code protection features of our product.

If you have any further questions about this matter, please contact the local sales office nearest to you.

Information contained in this publication regarding device applications and the like is intended through suggestion only and may be superseded by updates. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application meets with your specifications. No representation or warranty is given and no liability is assumed by Microchip Technology Incorporated with respect to the accuracy or use of such information, or infringement of patents or other intellectual property rights arising from such use or otherwise. Use of Microchips products as critical components in life support systems is not authorized except with express written approval by Microchip. No licenses are conveyed, implicitly or otherwise, under any intellectual property rights.

Trademarks The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo, PIC, PICmicro, PICMASTER, PICSTART, PRO MATE, KEELOQ, SEEVAL, MPLAB and The Embedded Control Solutions Company are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. Total Endurance, ICSP, In-Circuit Serial Programming, FilterLab, MXDEV, microID, FlexROM, fuzzyLAB, MPASM, MPLINK, MPLIB, PICC, PICDEM, PICDEM.net, ICEPIC, Migratable Memory, FanSense, ECONOMONITOR, Select Mode, dsPIC, rfPIC and microPort are trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. Serialized Quick Term Programming (SQTP) is a service mark of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective companies. 2001, Microchip Technology Incorporated, Printed in the U.S.A., All Rights Reserved.
Printed on recycled paper.

Microchip received QS-9000 quality system certification for its worldwide headquarters, design and wafer fabrication facilities in Chandler and Tempe, Arizona in July 1999. The Companys quality system processes and procedures are QS-9000 compliant for its PICmicro 8-bit MCUs, KEELOQ code hopping devices, Serial EEPROMs and microperipheral products. In addition, Microchips quality system for the design and manufacture of development systems is ISO 9001 certified.

2001 Microchip Technology Inc.

DS00670B - page 7

Note the following details of the code protection feature on PICmicro MCUs. The PICmicro family meets the specifications contained in the Microchip Data Sheet. Microchip believes that its family of PICmicro microcontrollers is one of the most secure products of its kind on the market today, when used in the intended manner and under normal conditions. There are dishonest and possibly illegal methods used to breach the code protection feature. All of these methods, to our knowledge, require using the PICmicro microcontroller in a manner outside the operating specifications contained in the data sheet. The person doing so may be engaged in theft of intellectual property. Microchip is willing to work with the customer who is concerned about the integrity of their code. Neither Microchip nor any other semiconductor manufacturer can guarantee the security of their code. Code protection does not mean that we are guaranteeing the product as unbreakable. Code protection is constantly evolving. We at Microchip are committed to continuously improving the code protection features of our product.

If you have any further questions about this matter, please contact the local sales office nearest to you.

Information contained in this publication regarding device applications and the like is intended through suggestion only and may be superseded by updates. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application meets with your specifications. No representation or warranty is given and no liability is assumed by Microchip Technology Incorporated with respect to the accuracy or use of such information, or infringement of patents or other intellectual property rights arising from such use or otherwise. Use of Microchips products as critical components in life support systems is not authorized except with express written approval by Microchip. No licenses are conveyed, implicitly or otherwise, under any intellectual property rights.

Trademarks The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo, FilterLab, KEELOQ, microID, MPLAB, PIC, PICmicro, PICMASTER, PICSTART, PRO MATE, SEEVAL and The Embedded Control Solutions Company are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. dsPIC, ECONOMONITOR, FanSense, FlexROM, fuzzyLAB, In-Circuit Serial Programming, ICSP, ICEPIC, microPort, Migratable Memory, MPASM, MPLIB, MPLINK, MPSIM, MXDEV, PICC, PICDEM, PICDEM.net, rfPIC, Select Mode and Total Endurance are trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. Serialized Quick Turn Programming (SQTP) is a service mark of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective companies. 2002, Microchip Technology Incorporated, Printed in the U.S.A., All Rights Reserved.
Printed on recycled paper.

Microchip received QS-9000 quality system certification for its worldwide headquarters, design and wafer fabrication facilities in Chandler and Tempe, Arizona in July 1999. The Companys quality system processes and procedures are QS-9000 compliant for its PICmicro 8-bit MCUs, KEELOQ code hopping devices, Serial EEPROMs and microperipheral products. In addition, Microchips quality system for the design and manufacture of development systems is ISO 9001 certified.

2002 Microchip Technology Inc.

Note the following details of the code protection feature on PICmicro MCUs. The PICmicro family meets the specifications contained in the Microchip Data Sheet. Microchip believes that its family of PICmicro microcontrollers is one of the most secure products of its kind on the market today, when used in the intended manner and under normal conditions. There are dishonest and possibly illegal methods used to breach the code protection feature. All of these methods, to our knowledge, require using the PICmicro microcontroller in a manner outside the operating specifications contained in the data sheet. The person doing so may be engaged in theft of intellectual property. Microchip is willing to work with the customer who is concerned about the integrity of their code. Neither Microchip nor any other semiconductor manufacturer can guarantee the security of their code. Code protection does not mean that we are guaranteeing the product as unbreakable. Code protection is constantly evolving. We at Microchip are committed to continuously improving the code protection features of our product.

If you have any further questions about this matter, please contact the local sales office nearest to you.

Information contained in this publication regarding device applications and the like is intended through suggestion only and may be superseded by updates. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application meets with your specifications. No representation or warranty is given and no liability is assumed by Microchip Technology Incorporated with respect to the accuracy or use of such information, or infringement of patents or other intellectual property rights arising from such use or otherwise. Use of Microchips products as critical components in life support systems is not authorized except with express written approval by Microchip. No licenses are conveyed, implicitly or otherwise, under any intellectual property rights.

Trademarks The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo, FilterLab, KEELOQ, microID, MPLAB, PIC, PICmicro, PICMASTER, PICSTART, PRO MATE, SEEVAL and The Embedded Control Solutions Company are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. dsPIC, ECONOMONITOR, FanSense, FlexROM, fuzzyLAB, In-Circuit Serial Programming, ICSP, ICEPIC, microPort, Migratable Memory, MPASM, MPLIB, MPLINK, MPSIM, MXDEV, PICC, PICDEM, PICDEM.net, rfPIC, Select Mode and Total Endurance are trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. Serialized Quick Turn Programming (SQTP) is a service mark of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective companies. 2002, Microchip Technology Incorporated, Printed in the U.S.A., All Rights Reserved.
Printed on recycled paper.

Microchip received QS-9000 quality system certification for its worldwide headquarters, design and wafer fabrication facilities in Chandler and Tempe, Arizona in July 1999. The Companys quality system processes and procedures are QS-9000 compliant for its PICmicro 8-bit MCUs, KEELOQ code hopping devices, Serial EEPROMs and microperipheral products. In addition, Microchips quality system for the design and manufacture of development systems is ISO 9001 certified.

2002 Microchip Technology Inc.

M
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