analog write errors on Circuit Playground Express A0 (true analogue)

[kevinjwalters]

Describe the bug Very simple programs using analog write block to set an analogue value on a Circuit Playground Express board's A0 pin/pad (true analogue, not PWM) error immediately with a 909: PANIC_INVALID_ARGUMENT): the argument value is out of range or the type or format is invalid as indicated by colourful red/blue NeoPixels. D13 flashes too. MakeCode version is:

Adafruit Circuit Playground Express version:  1.4.27
Microsoft MakeCode version:  5.13.6
codal-circuit-playground runtime version:  v1.5.4-i2c_and_dac.0

To Reproduce Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Use analog write to pin A0

Expected behavior A constant voltage appear on the A0 pad without error.

Screenshots See code on https://makecode.com/_RDm03xPfVdz1 - this is the javascript code cut and paste from the MakeCode editor.

// analog write on the CPX is broken, this gives a 909
// error as indicated on the NeoPixels
forever(function () {
    pins.A0.analogWrite(0)
    pause(100)
})

Desktop (please complete the following information):

• OS: Windows
• Browser Firefox and Chrome
• Version: n/a (?)

Additional context I see there's a discussion about analog write on https://github.com/microsoft/pxt-adafruit/issues/604 and in particular a mention of A0 and "Michal's fixes" in https://github.com/microsoft/pxt-adafruit/issues/604#issuecomment-381021875 from Apr 2018.

[kevinjwalters]

I tried MakeCode beta on 28-May-2019 and same issue there.

Adafruit Circuit Playground Express version:  1.4.28
Microsoft MakeCode version:  5.13.6
codal-circuit-playground runtime version:  v1.5.4-i2c_and_dac.0

[abchatra]

@pelikhan @mmoskal

[kevinjwalters]

Is there any ETA on this?

[kevinjwalters]

I saw someone mention a "strange result" from analogue writes to A0 in AnalogWrite in MS MakeCode for pins A3, A6, A7, I'll ask what this was...

[smagoun]

I can reproduce the analogWrite problem with analog writes on A0 using the program in the original report. It's reproducible in both MakeCode + MakeCode beta. The error code on mine is b0001011010 / 90 (PANIC_CODAL_HARDWARE_CONFIGURATION_ERROR) rather than 909. Other analog pins (A1, A2) are fine; it's just A0 that causes the panic.

MakeCode: Adafruit Circuit Playground Express version: 1.4.43 Microsoft MakeCode version: 5.20.6 codal-circuit-playground runtime version: v2.0.1

Makecode Beta: Adafruit Circuit Playground Express version: 1.6.4 Microsoft MakeCode version: 6.1.10 codal-circuit-playground runtime version: v2.0.4

[smagoun]

I did some more sleuthing. The panic is a regression between 1.2.13 and 1.3.1.

https://makecode.adafruit.com/v1.2.13#editor - code runs: Adafruit Circuit Playground Express version: 1.2.13 Microsoft MakeCode version: 5.1.5 codal-circuit-playground runtime version: v1.5.6

https://makecode.adafruit.com/v1.3.1#editor - same code causes panic: Adafruit Circuit Playground Express version: 1.3.1 Microsoft MakeCode version: 5.5.25 codal-circuit-playground runtime version: v1.5.4-samd-peripherals.10