EDN -- 03.28.96 Embedded Systems

Embedded Systems: March 28, 1996

Code-creation tool fits 68HC16, 68300 controllers. MCUinit 2.0 software simplifies the creation of initialization code for the 16-bit 68HC16 and 32-bit 68300 microcontrollers. V2.0 also adds support for the 68HC16Z2, 68334, and 68360 QUICC devices. The software, which runs under Windows 3.1, ensures that your initialization code is in the correct sequence, regardless of the order in which you initialize the part. MCUinit 2.0 comes on CD-ROM and costs $195. Motorola Microcontroller Technologies Group, Austin, TX. (512) 328-2268.

Assembly provides low-cost single-chip emulation. The SCE-51 single-chip emulator for the 251/51 family of microcontrollers is a 2.4×3.2-in. assembly fitted with a PLCC version of the device to be emulated. The assembly then plugs into the target’s microcontroller socket using a 40- or 44-pin adapter. Once installed, the SCE-51’s 32 kbytes of overlay RAM is loaded with each iteration of the code under development. The unit, which covers all of the 40- and 44-pin single-chip 51 variants, costs $285. Prices for adapters range from $30 to $95. Options include an RS-232C port for $69; a single-chip, single-board computer for $119; and development software for $59. Rhombus, Mauldin, SC. (803) 676-0012.

VMEbus motherboard supports SHARC-based modules. Controlled by an onboard PowerPC RISC processor, the MAP-1000 VMEbus platform lets you integrate ADSP-21060 SHARC DSPs and application-specific PCI Mezzanine Card (PMC) modules to create a 1-GFLOPS system-level environment. The MAP-1000 motherboard is a 6U VMEbus module with a PCI-to-VME64 interface, 32 Mbytes of DRAM, a P2 interface option, a 100-MHz PowerPC 603e CPU, and two PMC sites. Mezzanine cards include a quad-SHARC module with 2 Mbytes of shared zero-wait-state SRAM. The system runs under VxWorks. PMC modules sell for about $10,000, depending on the application. CSPI, Billerica, MA. (508) 663-7598.

Programs merge to build graphical prototypes. By integrating the vendor’s Statemate design-automation software with Altia Design prototyping software, you can develop a complete model of complex interactive systems by creating a graphical prototype. The use of both software tools provides a better picture early in development, cutting design costs and time by reducing the need for multiple physical-engineering prototypes and long development cycles. Statemate costs $25,000 for the first seat. Altia Design for Unix costs $9900 for a single license and $5900 for a PC version. i-Logix Inc, Andover, MA. (508) 682-2100.

Tiny computer board is IBM-PC-compatible. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the All On One single-board computer offers a 14-MHz CPU that executes 286 or 386 commands, DOS, and the vendor’s peripheral-control language. Programmed using a PC, the 3.5×4.9-in. board can be used for embedded applications or as a peripheral driver via PC/104 and PCMCIA interfaces. Additionally, the computer board provides two serial ports; IDE and floppy-disk drive controllers; parallel and SCSI ports; keyboard, LCD, and CRT interfaces; and a speaker connector. Memory options include ROM, flash EPROM, DRAM, SRAM, and PCMCIA memory cards. Prices start at $595. Analog & Digital Peripherals Inc, Troy, OH. (513) 339-2241.

VMEbus board employs DX4, 5x86, or Pentium CPU. The VME-9586 Embedded PC offers enhanced DRAM and a choice of fast CPUs. The VMEbus single-board computer provides as much as 32 Mbytes of enhanced DRAM and a 100- or 120-MHz Cyrix 5x86, Intel 486DX4, or Pentium Overdrive processor. Other features include accelerated local-bus video, an Ethernet 10Base2 interface, an ISA bus expansion interface, and compatibility with MS-DOS and Windows 95. The VME-9586 costs <$4000 (100). Logical Design Group Inc, Raleigh, NC. (919) 851-1101.