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Dear
Reader,
welcome to this month's edition of
MicroController Pros
Corporation's Embedded News Digest, your source
for microcontroller and embedded system news.
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Visit the
Microcontroller & Embedded Systems Shop: emulators,
starter kits, evaluation boards, programmers, software tools, books and more for
a large variety of microcontroller architectures and manufacturers.
This month's issue:
Now available, the ADSP-BF533 delivers 600-MHz, 1.2 GMACS (Giga
Multiply ACcumulate operations per Second) at only 280mW; the ADSP-BF531, also
available now, sets new price performance level with 300MHz, 600 MMACS for $4.95
(10kU).
All new
members of the Blackfin processor family are pin-for-pin and code compatible and
offer new levels of peripheral integration, including glue-less connection to an
array of ITU-R 656 video encoders and decoders, as well as high-speed
analog-to-digital (ADC) and digital-to-analog converters at up to 65 MSPS (mega
samples per second). The dedicated video port on all members of the family is
supported by an innovative 2-dimensional DMA structure that significantly
reduces software overhead and system power consumption for real-time video
applications. Two dedicated serial ports support up to eight channels of IIS
(I2S) audio.
Samples of all new members of the Blackfin processor family
are available now in BGA packages. All Blackfin processors integrate on-chip
memory, a dedicated video port and extensive I/O. Data sheets are available at
http://www.analog.com/blackfin with
complete product specifications.
ARM announced the availability of the
AMBA™ 2 Transfer-Layer
SystemC interface specification. The specification is
the culmination of a collaboration involving ARM, Synopsys, Inc., Cadence Design
Systems, and CoWare Inc., to deliver a standard for connecting system-level
design IP. The new methodology will enable designers of complex systems to use
IP built according to the interface specification for the exploration of AMBA
methodology-based SoC architectures. By using this methodology along with
matching RTL IP for AMBA components and a System-to-RTL verification
methodology, customers can reduce time-to-market for AMBA technology-based
designs.
The Open SystemC Initiative (OSCI) is an independent,
not-for-profit organization composed of a broad range of companies, universities
and individuals dedicated to supporting and advancing SystemC as an open source
industry standard for system-level design. The SystemC platform, that includes
the SystemC specification source code and reference manual, can be downloaded at
http://www.systemc.org/.
High-end
emulation support for the Dallas DS80C400 Ethernet Microcontroller (see
our
Nov 2002 story) has now been released by Metalink. The MetaICE-XF is
one of the smallest full-featured emulators on the market, measuring just 3.3"
(8,4 cm) by 3.0" (7,6 cm). The DS400 MetaICE-XF emulator includes the following
standard features:
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2 MByte
Code Memory / 2 MByte External Data Memory
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512 K
Frames of Trace Memory with Time Stamp
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SFR Write
Data in Trace Memory
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Hardware
Breakpoints
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Full
support of the on-chip ROM functions and capabilities
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Up to
40MHz CPU operation
The SFR Write Data is a unique feature of the MetaLink emulator. This feature
captures in the emulator’s trace memory every direct data write to an SFR
(Special Function Register) in real time. It provides unparalleled visibility
into the internal data flow of the program’s execution, which significantly
enhances the debug capabilities of the emulator and the productivity of the
engineer.
The DS80C400 contains Enhanced Hooks, a MetaLink patented emulation technology
licensed to Dallas Semiconductor. Many of the DS400 MetaICE-XF emulator’s unique
and powerful characteristics are a result of Enhanced Hooks being embedded in
the DS80C400 microcontroller.
Metalink
emulators are available at:
The MicroController & Embedded Systems Shop
Fujitsu
announced the release of four new products in its MB90330 Series of 16-bit
microcontrollers, which include a 12Mbit USB interface, integrating simple host
features. The simple host feature enables direct USB communication without a
host PC between audio-visual equipment (e.g. digital camera) and other
peripherals (e.g. printer). All new family members operate from 3.0V to 3.6V,
-45C to 80C and have a min instruction cycle time of only 41.6ns at 6MHz clock,
thanks to an integrated PLL. Other features include a 16 channel 8/10-bit A/D,
UART, I2C, Serial I/O (SPI), a range of timers, DMAC and external bus support.
The
MB90F334 features 24kBytes of RAM and 384 kBytes of FLASH; the MB90F337 has
4kBytes of RAM and 64kBytes of FLASH, while the MB90333 has 16kBytes of RAM and
256kBytes of ROM and the MB90337 comes with 4kBytes of RAM and 64kBytes of ROM.
Fujitsu
has released a new extension to its 16LX CAN microcontroller family. The MB90340
series features single and dual CAN devices with LIN interfaces and extensive
enhanced features. The standard operating temperature range is - 40 to +105°C,
Flash memory is speced at 10,000 write/erase cycles, and a security element
prevents unauthorized reading of the flash memory contents.
The MB90340 series is designed in 0.35 micron technology. Additional features
include an optimized 4 channel LIN USART interface to offer flexible baud rate
generation, multi-master modes and SPI interface. In addition, a wake-up CAN
interrupt, embedded Debug Support Unit, Clock Modulator to reduce EMI, up to 24
analog channels, an increased number of PWMs and Timers, and faster power-on
start-up time are also included.
Currently under development are several derivatives of the MB90340 series with
one or two CAN Interfaces, I2C bus, and 16 or 24 analog input channels. The
MB90F347 in a 100-pin QFP package with 1 CAN, 128KB Flash and 6KB RAM, and the
MB90F342 in 100-pin QFP package with 2 CAN, 256KB Flash and 15.75KB RAM. Devices
with 3 CAN interfaces and Flash sizes up to 512KB are planned.
Microchip
announced seven new low power devices for its PICmicro PIC16F Flash
microcontroller family. The PIC16F627A, PIC16F628A, PIC16F648A, PIC16F818,
PIC16F819, PIC16F87 and PIC16F88 microcontrollers feature a clock system with up
to three enhanced "software controlled" power-managed modes. This enables users
to control the speed of code execution. New low current modules include a
watch-dog timer, brown-out reset and timer.
The new microcontrollers have a power consumption of less than 1 mA in standby
mode and support a wide operating voltage range from 2 to 5.5 Volts. These new
PIC16F devices offer up to 7K bytes of Flash program memory, up to 368 bytes of
RAM, 256 bytes of EEPROM, and an internal multi-frequency oscillator up to 8MHz.
Additional features can include a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter with up to
7 channels, one capture / compare / PWM module, two comparators, an addressable
USART module supporting RS-485 and RS-232, synchronous serial port module
supporting SPI and I2C, a programmable 16-level low voltage detection module and
programmable brown-out reset. The new devices are available in 18-pin PDIP,
20-pin SOIC, 20-pin SSOP and 6mm x 6mm QFN packages.
Microchip announced it is accepting registration
for its seventh annual MASTERs conference at the Pointe South Mountain Resort in
Phoenix, Arizona, July 16-19.
Attendees can select from 63 technical courses,
including “Low-Power Features of the nanoWatt Family Devices,” “The New
Digitally Controlled Amplifier” and “Introduction to PowerSmart® Battery
Management Hardware and Development Tools.” Other activities include networking
sessions between consultants and attendees to discuss relevant design topics,
meeting with third-party development tool experts, a wafer fab plant tour and a
robot-building competition.
Entry to the MASTERs conference courses, CD-ROM with all class materials,
three-night accommodations including meals and evening entertainment is offered
for $895.00 USD. Attendees can take advantage of an early registration discount
if registration is completed by April 1 ($795.00 USD). All potential attendees
must register by June 18. More information regarding the MASTERs Conference can
be found at the company’s Web site
http://www.microchip.com/1010.
The new MC9S12T64 microcontroller unit (MCU) includes a 16-bit
central processing unit (HCS12 CPU), 64K bytes of Flash EEPROM, 2K bytes of RAM,
2K bytes of CALRAM (Calibration RAM), two asynchronous serial communications
interfaces (SCI), one serial peripheral interface (SPI), an 8 channel IC/OC
enhanced capture timer, an 8-channel 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC),
an 8-channel pulse-width modulator (PWM), 25 discrete digital I/O channels (Port
A, Port B, Port E and Port K). System resource mapping, clock generation,
interrupt control and bus interfacing are managed by the System Integration
Module (SIM). The MC9S12T64 has full 16-bit data paths throughout. However, the
external bus can operate in an 8-bit narrow mode so single 8-bit wide memory can
be interfaced for lower cost systems. The inclusion of a PLL circuit allows
power consumption and performance to be adjusted to suit operational
requirements.
The
device comes in a 80 lead LQFP (12mmx12mm 0.5mm pitch) package and costs US$7.00
in 10kU quantities. Production start in Q3/2002.
Motorola has
expanded its line of integrated CAN microcontrollers that feature on-chip
flash memory. The new additions to the popular 8-bit HC08 family, the 68HC908GZ8
and 68HC908GZ16, provide customers with an attractive solution for space-limited
applications.
The devices
feature CAN modules with 8K and 16K bytes of flash memory, respectively. The
68HC908GZ16 has two16-bit timers, enhanced serial communications interface (SCI)
suitable for local interconnect networks (LIN), serial peripheral interface (SPI)
and features 3.3-volt or 5-volt operation. These chips also offer system
protection features including, computer operating properly (COP) and low voltage
detection to prevent the flash memory from being over written or corrupted.
The 68HC908GZ8
and 68HC908GZ16 are available immediately. Suggested list price in 10,000-piece
quantities for the 68HC908GZ8 32-lead low quad flat package (LQFP) starts at
$3.40 (USD). In the 48-lead LQFP, suggested list pricing starts at $3.60 (USD).
The 68HC908GZ16 starts at suggested list prices of $4.00 (USD) for the 32 LQFP
and $4.20 (USD) for the 48 LQFP
Deadline
for design entries is June 30th 2003. One lucky Grand Prize winner will take
home a 60" plasma screen HDTV or $10,000 in cash. All of the contest
prizes combined are valued at a total of more than $30,000. For rules and
regulations and to sign up go to:
http://www.circuitcellar.com/fi2003/index.htm
Designers of low-power, high performance, cost-sensitive
embedded applications can get their feet wet with Texas Instruments' MSP430
ultra-low-power Flash MCU at "4 -30 Day," a free two-hour "lunch and learn"
session to be held on April 30 at more than 70 locations worldwide. TI will
showcase how designers can boost product value by taking advantage of the
MSP430's ultra -low-power architecture; integrated high -performance analog and
digital peripherals; and modern, 16 -bit reduced instruction set computer (RISC)
CPU. Presenters will also highlight MSP430 development tools and other resources
to help customers get a jumpstart on their designs. In addition, attendees will
receive a free ultra -low-power demo board and have the opportunity for
discounts on selected MSP430 Flash emulation tools. The event will take place at
Arrow Electronics Inc. distributorships in the Americas and Europe; LSD MCU
Technology Co., Ltd., Eupuls and Morrihan distributorships in Asia.
See
www.ti.com/sc03060 for cities and times.
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