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We wish you a successful and prosperous New Year!
Welcome to the December 2004 edition of MicroController
Pros Corporation's Embedded News Digest, your source for microcontroller and
embedded system news. Due to the holiday season we decided to sent this issue
early January.
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New product
additions at the MicroControllerShop:
ARM: new
ARM C compiler starting at $199;
ARM USB JTAG debugger bundle with IAR Development Suite and RTOS
Atmel AVR:
STK300 and
STK200 Development Kits with JTAG ICE; Imagecraft
AVR C compiler upgrade to Version 7
Freescale:
embedded
PowerPC Development Board;
Coldfire MCF5235 Board with Ethernet, CAN & RS232;
MC9S12NE64 Prototyping Board with 2x RS232, 10/100 Ethernet;
MC9S12C32 Development Board with CAN & RS232;
MC68HC11E9 Starter Kit
Microchip PIC:
Low cost, Real-Time
PIC Emulator;
PIC16F84A Training Board;
40-pin DIL PIC Board with 4x7 LED, RS232, IR, USB option; 18-pin
DIL PIC Board with 4x7 LED, RS232, EEPROM, Temp. Sensor
ST
Microelectronics:
ST7FLITE1/LITE2 Evaluation Kit with In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer;
ST7FLITE0 Evaluation Kit with In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer;
ST72F321/521 Evaluation Kit;
ST FIVE 508 Flash Family Evaluation Kit;
ST72F264 Evaluation Kit
TI MSP430:
MSP430 C-Compiler with NoICE Debugger;
MSP430 JTAG-USB In-Circuit Debugger & Programmer;
MSP430FE427 Evaluation Board with 7.1x7 segment LCD;
MSP430F169 DIP Module with JTAG interface;
MSP430F169 Evaluation Board with USB-UART, RS232 & JTAG interfaces;
MSP430F169 DIP Module with JTAG & USB-UART interfaces
Universal
Programmer: USB bus powered
Universal In-Circuit Programmer for Microchip PIC and Atmel AVR and 8051
microcontrollers; serial EEPROMs (SPI, Microwire and I2C); serial data FLASH;
CPLD; and FPGA.
- Please help us to spread the word about this free
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Let your friends, colleagues or customers know about the Embedded News Digest.
This month's issue:
Crossware has released flash programming software that can be
used to program Freescale ColdFire® boards using its FireFly USB BDM (background
debug mode) interface. This can save developers considerable amounts of time as
FireFly can program flash more than 8 times faster than via a parallel port
interface. The flash software - available free of charge to users of Crossware's
FireFly interface - will simultaneously control up to 127 USB ports each
connected to a separate ColdFire board. A single click of the mouse will program
the selected software file into any or all of the connected boards.
The Crossware software can automatically generate a
configuration script - required so that the target board can be correctly set up
for flash programming - by examining the program that is to be downloaded. This
feature eliminates the need to for the script to be created manually.
Multiple program formats are supported including Motorola 'S'
records, IEEE 695 and ELF. The software can be used with programs generated by
any ColdFire tool chain as well as those generated with the Crossware ColdFire
Development Suite.
The FireFly in-circuit debugger and programmer features a USB
controller and requires no external crystal. The miniature debugger plugs
directly into the target board minimizing signal delays and ensuring
compatibility with the new generation of ColdFire chips running at up to 200
MHz.
The FireFly USB BDM interface is also driven by a new version
of Crossware's source level debugging software, which integrates seamlessly with
the rest of its ColdFire Development Suite.
The Firefly in-circuit debugger and programmer with Flash
programming software, as well as Crossware's Codlefire Development Suite are
available at the
MicroControllerShop.
Microchip Technology Inc. has introduced four new 8-bit CAN
Flash PIC® microcontrollers, including the smallest CAN
microcontroller yet: a 28-pin, 6x6 mm QFN package.
Each chip in the series features an onboard ECAN module, which
provides reliable CAN communication and enhanced support for the higher level
protocols such as J1939, CANopen and DeviceNet™. In addition, the integrated
nanoWatt Technology low-power modes and multiple oscillator sources enable
strict control of power and speed.
The PIC18F2580 / PIC18F2480 feature 32 / 16 Kbytes of enhanced
Flash memory, 1.5 / 0.7 Kbytes of RAM, 25 I/O pins, and are available in 28-pin
SDIP, SOIC and QFN packages.
The PIC18F4580 and PIC18F4480 have the same memory
configurations but feature 36 I/O pins and are available in 40-pin PDIP or
44-pin TQFP and QFN packages.
Each chip in the series operates at up to 40 MHz; features two
analog comparators; has a 10-bit A/D with up to 11 channels; has two
Capture/Compare/PWM modules (one Enhanced); has an EUSART for RS232, RS485 and
LIN interfaces; operates between 2.0 and 5.5 volts in temperatures from -40 to
+125 degrees C; and has enhanced in-circuit debugging (ICD) capabilities with up to three hardware
breakpoints.
Volume production is planned for January. Pricing information
has not been announced.
Microchip Technology Inc. has begun volume production of two
16-bit dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers, which integrate microcontroller
functionality with DSP capabilities. The dsPIC30F4011 and dsPIC30F4012 operate
at 5V and feature 48 Kbytes of self-programming Flash memory, CAN capability
with extended temperature range, and performance of 20 or 30 MIPS. Other
features include 2 Kbytes SRAM, 1 Kbyte EEPROM data memory, six output motor
control PWMs, a 10-bit A/D converter with nine channels at 500K samples per
second, and five 16-bit timers. Interface support includes SPI, I2C and two
UARTs.
The dsPIC30F4011 is available in 40-pin PDIP and 44-pin QFN or
TQFP packages at $7.46 each in quantities of 10,000. The dsPIC30F4012 is
available in 28-pin SDIP or SOIC packages at $6.60 each in quantities ot 10,000.
MicroController Pros Corporation announced
that its MicroControllerShop added 3 new embedded tool vendors to its portfolio,
bringing the total to 31 vendors that sell their products online via the
MicroControllerShop.
Asix s.r.o of the Czech Republic specializes in emulators, development
boards and programmers for the Microchip PIC microcontroller family. Its latest
product, the Presto programmer, is an universal programmer that connects to a
PC's USB port and supports programming of Microchip PIC; Atmel AVR and
8051 microcontrollers; serial EEPROMs (SPI, Microwire and I2C); serial data
FLASH; CPLD; and FPGA devices.
Axiom Manufacturing designs and manufactures a wide range of development
boards and starter kits for Freescale' s embedded PowerPC, Coldfire, HCS12, HC11
and HCS08 microcontroller families.
Softbaugh Inc. is a leading manufacturer of In-circuit debuggers,
programmers and development boards for Texas Instrument's MSP430 microcontroller
family.
Micro Digital Inc. has introduced a low-cost USB host stack
for use with ARM, ColdFire, PowerPC, x86, and other processors. The new stack is
called smxUSB™.
smxUSB was designed from the ground up for embedded systems.
It complies with the USB v1.1 Specification and with the OHCI 1.0a and UHCI 1.1
specifications. smxUSB supports all four USB data transfers and low- and
full-speed operation. Class drivers are available for mass storage drives, mice,
keyboards, printers, and hubs. Root hub and cascading hub support for up to 127
devices are also provided.
The USB stack is written in ANSI C, and can be ported to any
hardware platform. It is optimized for SMX®, but can be ported to other RTOSs as
well. smxUSB is modularized so that only what is needed is linked into the final
application. Typical code footprint for CISC processors is less than 50KB, and
RAM size is 16KB for the core, mass storage class driver, and OHCI driver. Other
class drivers take even less RAM.
smxUSB has been integrated with smxFile and is offered as a
USB Disk Driver option in object code form. Typical transfer rates via smxFile
are 645 KB/sec read and 425 KB/sec write, assuming an OHCI controller and
full-speed mode.
Available now at $10,000 for an smxUSB royalty-free,
one-product license, with full source code. Includes all drivers except mass
storage, which is $2000 extra. The smxFile USB Disk Driver is sold in object
code form for $5000 for a royalty-free, one-product license.
Based on the Eclipse open-source platform, CCEssentials allows
designers and third parties to easily integrate updates and plug-ins to provide
a highly customized and flexible IDE. The CCEssentials IDE features an intuitive
interface, one-click debug option, and TI compiler and code generation
technology that allows users to start programming almost immediately.
The Eclipse platform provides customizable tools and a plug-in
based framework for designers and third parties that simplifies the creation and
integration of software tools from various sources. Designers have the option of
using a different host OS, debugger, or compiler based on their preference.
CCEssentials IDE for MSP430 microcontrollers will be available
for free and includes an 8 Kbyte C complier and unlimited assembler. CCEssentials Pro IDE features unlimited C and assembly code space for $499. Both
CCEssentials and CCEssentials Pro IDE will be available for download at
www.ti.com/msp430cce or from authorized TI distributors beginning January 2005.
Beta versions are available immediately at
www.ti.com/msp430ccebeta.
ZiLOG, Inc. has extended its
Z8 Encore! Flash microcontroller family with the introduction of
1 Kbyte and 4 Kbyte devices. These new devices include ZiLOG's
register-to-register based architecture, an on-chip internal oscillator, and up
to 1KB RAM. In addition, they support an optional 8-channel 10-bit A/D
converter, a new single-pin debugger and programming interface, and a
full-duplex UART that provides serial communications and IrDA encoding and
decoding capabilities. The 4K Series also has a 2.7 to 3.6 operating voltage
(with 5 volt tolerant I/Os) in both a standard (0 to 70 degrees C) and extended
(-40 to 105 degrees C) temperature range.
The 1 Kbyte device comes in a 20-pin SOIC package at $0.85
each in quantities of 10,000. The 4 Kbyte device comes in a 28-pin SOIC package
at $1.00 each in quantities of 10,000. PDIP and SSOP packages are expected to be
available also.
The ZigBee Alliance has ratified the first ZigBee™
specification making the development and deployment of wireless networks a
reality that are extremely power efficient and cost effective. Targeted
applications are low data rate monitoring, control and sensing. The
delivery of the specification is the culmination of two years of worldwide
development and interoperability testing by the more than 100 member companies
within the ZigBee Alliance.
ZigBee technology is designed to
address the unique needs of low cost, low-power, wireless sensor networks for
remote monitoring, home control, and building automation network applications in
the industrial and consumer markets. To learn more about ZigBee, visit the
Alliance Web site at http://www.zigbee.org/.
MicroController Pros Corporation (µCPros) is an authorized
distributor for many microcontroller tool vendors, which enables us to offer you
a large selection of Microcontroller Development Tools for almost any major
microcontroller architecture.
Our
MicroControllerShop (http://microcontrollershop.com) puts convenient and
secure online shopping, feature- and price-comparison on your computer's
desktop. Microcontroller Development Tools featured at the
MicroControllerShop
include: Emulators, EPROM programmers, FLASH programmers, microcontroller C-
compilers, assemblers, emulator accessories, pin adapters, pin converters,
microcontroller starter kits and embedded evaluation boards for various
microcontroller architectures and manufacturers.
copyright 2005 by
MicroController Pros Corporation
visit our web
http://www.ucpros.com
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