Embedded Systems: March 1, 1996
C development tools target embedded 68HC08/68HC05 µC. Development tools, including cross compilers, assemblers, simulators, and source-level debuggers, serve both 68HC08 and 68HC05 microcontrollers. The Cosmic C cross compilers are optimized for embedded applications and support ANSI/ISO syntax and constructs for both re-entrant and static programming models. The ZAP debugger provides nonintrusive C source-level debugging for Windows and OSF Motif, along with on-line help and source browsing. A standard package hosted on a PC starts at $1250 for the 68HC08 and $990 for the 68HC05. Cosmic Software Inc, Woburn, MA. (617) 932-2556.
Assembly adds embedded pointing device. Based on a proprietary sensor from Fujitsu, the HulaPoint assembly combines mouse and joystick functions to provide accurate, effortless cursor control. The sensor performs magnetic-field detection using Hall-effect devices, responds to a feather-light touch without resistance, and offers 10° motion in all directions. HulaPoint's controller IC provides auto-selectable RS-232C and PS/2 output and follows both the IBM/ Microsoft two-button and Logitech three-button mouse protocols. An evaluation kit, including assembly and DOS/Windows drivers, costs $95. USAR Systems, New York, NY. (212) 226-2042.
Tutorial addresses Visual Basic programming. The Visual Basic 4.0 Power Toolkit book serves as an easy-to-follow tutorial for developing applications using Visual Basic 4.0. Aimed at intermediate and advanced Windows application developers, the edition covers such topics as databases, color and imaging, object-linking-and-embedding automation, work-group networking, and application-programming interfaces. Accompanied by a CD-ROM, the book costs $49.95. Ventana Communications Group, Research Triangle Park, NC. (919) 554-9404.
In-circuit emulator supports 8-bit PIC17C4X microcontrollers. Operating on a PC under Windows, the PICMASTER-17B performs real-time in-circuit emulation for the PIC17-C4X family of 8-bit field-programmable microcontrollers. The system includes an emulator-control pod, a target-specific Picprobe-17B emulator, the Pro Mate programmer, a PC host-interface card, PC host-emulation-control software, and demonstration hardware and software. It also includes the MPLAB Integrated Development Environment, which lets you edit, compile, and emulate from one user interface. The Picmaster-17B development system costs $3750 with the Pro Mate programmer and $3025 without. Microchip Technology Inc, Chandler, AZ. (602) 786-7200.
C40-based VME board offers IndustryPack I/O expansion. A VMEbus slave board combines a TMS320C40 DSP with sites for either two double-wide or four single-wide IndustryPack modules. The CommIO-IP also provides four external 20-Mbyte/sec byte-wide I/O ports and up to 8 Mbytes of zero-wait-state SRAM. You can use the unit in stand-alone mode as a self-contained DSP and multichannel data-acquisition system or as an I/O subsystem with other C40-based VMEbus boards. A broad range of IndustryPack modules permits I/O customization. The CommIO-IP costs $3995. Ariel Corp, Highland Park, NJ. (908) 249-2900.
Embedded BIOS targets Elan microcontroller. Embedded BIOS V3.0 supports Advanced Micro Devices' Elan microcontroller (Am386 SC300 Silicon Engine) with both a CPU and a chip-set personality module. The CPU module initializes the microcontroller and allows the core BIOS to access Elan functions. The chip set gives control over operating parameters of the Elan CPU through a special setup screen. Embedded BIOS V3.0 comes as a full source adaptation kit with >250 source-level options and >100 binary-level options. The vendor's Mini-DOS is integrated into the BIOS, so there is no need to purchase and license DOS separately. The package sells for $4995; royalties start at $4/copy. General Software, Bellevue, WA. (206) 454-5755.