Embedded Systems: February 15, 1996

Analyzer examines PCI-bus activity. A self-contained single-board PCI-bus analyzer performs hardware and software debugging, hardware stimulation, and performance analysis. The PCI500 captures bus activity by sampling all signals on the PCI bus, along with a time stamp. A 16-level sequencer lets you set complex triggers and generate signal patterns. The board provides both an embedded terminal interface and a PCI windowed interface. Prices start at $3495 with a 128-kbyte trace buffer. Silicon Control, Deerfield, IL. (708) 643-9313.

VMEbus single-board computers boast PowerPC 604. Two 6U VMEbus computer boards use the IBM PowerPC 604 µP. The first, the PowerEngine CVME604, offers up to four PMC PCI slots and is compliant with the PowerPC Reference Platform, including audio. The second board, the VMTR2A, provides a VME-subsystem-bus interface and up to 256 Mbytes of DRAM. Prices start at $5000 for the CVME604 and $7000 for the VMTR2a. CETIA Inc, Palo Alto, CA. (415) 325-6170.

C/C++ programming tool opens symbol window. V2.0 of the Source Insight C/C++ program editor runs under Windows 95 and Windows NT, automatically providing up-to-date source-code information for all sizes of programs, including those with millions of lines of code. A source-context window shows global and local contextual information as you type or click on symbols. A clips window also lets you rearrange code and use boilerplate source code. Windows 95-type features include long file names, drag-and-drop editing, and tool bars. Source Insight V2.0 costs $249.95. Source Dynamics Inc, Issaquah, WA. (206) 557-3630.

DX4 CPU powers STD 32 control applications. The vendor has added a 100-MHz Intel DX4 processor to the array of processor choices available for the ZT 8902, a single-board computer for STD 32 industrial-control environments. The computer board includes up to 16 Mbytes of DRAM, 1 or 2 Mbytes of flash memory, standard PC/AT peripherals, a digital I/O interface, a printer port, and two serial ports. The 100-MHz DX option for the ZT 8902 costs $300; board prices start at $1455. Ziatech Corp, San Luis Obispo, CA. (805) 541-0488.

Unix tool kit builds embedded PCMCIA applications. With an X-Window graphical user interface, the embedded Unix tool kit (EUT) configures Digital Equipment’s OSF/1 Unix real-time kernel and associated supporting files for deployment on a PCMCIA disk or flash card. EUT provides automatic generation of file systems and one-button building and downloading for system duplication. The minimum size of an EUT-created system is 10 Mbytes. EUT runs on all Digital Unix platforms and costs $4500. Aeon Systems Inc, Albuquerque, NM. (505) 828-9120.

Communications processor comes on plug-in module. The IP-COMM 360 QUICC mezzanine module puts a 25-MHz MC68360 communications processor on a credit-card-sized IndustryPack module. Using four IP-COMM 360 IndustryPacks, a single VME, ISA, or PCI bus slot can accommodate up to 16 communication channels and 64 simultaneous DMA channels. The IP-COMM 360 also supports physical-layer standards, including RS-422, ISDN, X.25, and V.35, through the use of transition modules. Prices start at $1050. GreenSpring Computers, Menlo Park, CA. (415) 327-1200.

Graphical programming tool speeds software development. Orincon Technologies’ Rippen graphical programming environment is now available as an option to Skyvec software-development tools for the Skybolt and Skystation multiprocessor families. Rippen includes a runtime environment consisting of a small kernel that runs on each processor in the target platform. Using Rippen, you can achieve a 5- to 10-times improvement in software productivity. Rippen costs $10,000 for the Skystation I and II and $15,000 for Skybolt I and II. Sky Computers Inc, Chelmsford, MA. (508) 250-1920.

486DX4-based controller rests on industrial Eurocard. For demanding embedded DOS and Windows applications, an STEbus controller board packs a 32-bit 486DX4 processor running at 100 MHz onto a single 100×160-mm Eurocard. The SCPC486DX comes with up to 16 Mbytes of DRAM, 4 Mbytes of flash EPROM for diskless operation, and local-bus SVGA capability with outputs for a CRT or a flat-panel display. It also includes interfaces for keyboard, a mouse, an IDE drive, and a floppy-disk drive. Arcom Control Systems Ltd, Cambridge, UK. +44 (0)1223 411200.

Real-time kernel serves 68300-based designs. RTEK, a real-time embedded kernel for the 68300 family of 32-bit microcontrollers, supports both static and dynamic objects. The kernel provides >180 services for managing system resources, such as CPU, program tasks, memory, and time. The kernel divides services into eight classes: task, semaphore, queue, mailbox and message, memory, mutex, timer, and interrupt processing. The RTEK software- development kit for the 68300 costs $3450/seat on a PC host. RTEK is also available for the PowerPC MPC500 family at a cost of $3950/seat on a Sun workstation. Motorola Microcontroller Technologies Group, Austin, TX. (800) 441-2447.

Module links STD Bus with A-B network. An interface module lets you connect STD Bus computers to the A-B Data Highway Plus at speeds of 57.6, 115.2, and 230.4 kbps. The DL-2000-STD16/32 board fits into any STD Bus chassis and takes no PC memory space. It plugs into a single serial I/O port and emulates a standard 8250 serial controller. The DL2000-STD16/32 communicates with software capable of transmitting commands using the A-B DF1 serial protocol. The unit also carries an A-B remote I/O link and block-transfer capability. Prices start at $1250. DataLink Technologies, Bellingham, WA. (360) 671-8731.

486DX2-based SBC links to STD bus and PC/104. Built around a 3.3V 486DX2 processor running at 80 MHz, the MCM-DX2-80 computer board for the STD bus typically draws <1A at 5V. The board accommodates STD Bus and PC/104 expansion modules, as well as up to 32 Mbytes of DRAM. In addition to a BIOS, an onboard 32-pin socket supports a 512-kbyte flash or 1-Mbyte EPROM for use as a solid-state disk. The MCM-DX2-80 runs under DOS, QNX, and other real-time executives and AT-compatible operating systems, and it can work without DOS and BIOS as a complete stand-alone single-board computer. With 4 Mbytes of DRAM, the board costs $1095. WinSystems Inc, Arlington, TX. (817) 274-7553.

Programming tool evaluates fieldbus networks. An application-development tool for the LonWorks control network lets you evaluate fieldbuses for distributed-control applications. Called NetBasic, the PC-hosted Basic programming environment generates code for the IoNet range of remote I/O modules, which provide processor, analog, digital, and I/O functions in the form of multichannel modules. The NetBasic development enviroment costs $490 for a single-user license. IO Ltd, Swaffham Prior, Cambridge, UK. (+44) 1638 742390.

Design tools add fixed-point support. Fixed-point enhancements to the Matrixx 5.0 family of visual design and development tools let you use both floating- and fixed-point design environments for modeling, simulation, analysis, code generation, and real-time testing. The tool set produces code with 8-, 16-, and 32-bit signed or unsigned data types and binary-scale factors. By toggling a global switch, you can check for quantization effects by comparing floating- and fixed-point simulation results. The software runs on Unix and VMS workstations, as well as Windows-based PCs. Prices start at $4995. Integrated Systems Inc, Santa Clara, CA. (408) 980-1500.

Touch sensor fits monitor screen. UniTouch, a scanning IR touch sensor, attaches easily to any 14- or 15-in. monitor for interaction with applications using touch or both a mouse and touch. The system, which attaches to the monitor using Velcro tabs, includes the touch frame, cable assembly, software, and Windows driver. It costs $199. Carroll Touch Inc, Round Rock, TX. (512) 244-3500.

Real-time OS manages 80C51-XA microcontroller. A real-time multitasking operating system complements the 16-bit 80C51-XA microcontroller and provides a seamless development environment when coupled with a Hi-Tech C compiler and Nohau emulator. To enhance design flexibility, the RTXC kernel offers >70 services divided into seven classes. A driver package for RTXC accesses the microcontroller’s timers, interrupt controllers, parallel I/O, communications processor, and UART. Distributed in ANSI C source code, RTXC V3.2 starts at $4400 and is royalty-free. Embedded System Products Inc, Houston, TX. (713) 728-9688.

Short-haul modem has integral graphics display. The Model 227 Speed Link short-haul modem displays complete graphics showing communications-link status on a built-in LCD. The DataSpy display feature includes diagnostic capabilities and operational status reporting. The modem hits PC-to-PC data rates of 115.2 kbps over distances of 3500 ft and is powered via the transmit-data signal applied to its RS-232C connector. Housed in a 2×4.25×0.75-in. plastic case, the Model 227 costs $69 in OEM quantities. Telebyte Technology Inc, Greenlawn, NY. (516) 423-3232.

PCI bus extender eases I/O board testing. The PCIEX4-E 32-bit PCI bus extender lets you perform voltage-margin and current measurements of add-on I/O boards, which can be inserted at straight or right angles to the extender (parallel to the motherboard) for easier troubleshooting. Pin headers permit a logic analyzer hookup to monitor the PCI bus signals. A second extender, the PCILX4-B, adds direct support for the HP165X logic analyzer’s 100-k(ohm) termination adapter. The PCIEX4-E and PCILX4-B cost $89 and $119, respectively. Adex Electronics, Irvine, CA. (714) 597-1772.