Programming tools tackle µP designs.

DataFlo MP, a graphical programming environment for creating, debugging, analyzing, and executing applications on µP systems, is now available on the Skybolt II and Skystation II µP lines. Offered as part of the Skyvec software development environment, DataFlo's point-and-click tools let you create application programs by drawing block diagrams, selecting icons, connecting lines, and filling in menus. The software automates synchronization and interprocess communications, allowing you to concentrate on developing algorithms instead of on operating-system and board-level issues. DataFlo costs $10,000 for the Skystation II and $15,000 for Skybolt II. Sky Computers Inc, Chelmsford, MA. (508) 250-1920.

Hypersignal driver supports SHARC DSP hardware.

A real-time driver lets you run Hypersignal for Windows Block Diagram visual-programming software on BittWare Research Systems' line of PC-platform boards based on the ADSP-2102X and ADSP-2106x SHARC DSPs. All blocks in Block Diagram are dynamically linked to let the processor make the best use of memory and to produce a complete executable application on the DSP. The board driver costs $495. Prices for Block Diagram start at $895. Hyperception, Dallas, TX. (214) 343-8525.

Kit helps build RFID tracking system.

A radio-frequency-identification (RFID) development kit contains an RS-232C reader, several types of transponders, an RS-232C cable for connecting the reader to a computer, and tracking software to implement an automatic identification system. The RFID kit, which you can adapt for use with an existing bar-code system, costs $975. ID Technologies, Boulder, CO. (303) 546-9646.

Program manages project documentation within Visual Basic.

To ease the documentation process, Vision StoryBoard 4.0 runs within the Visual Basic 4.0 graphical user interface and captures and maintains project requirements and specifications across the entire development life cycle. The program's SlideShow feature visually communicates de-velopment flow using a slide metaphor. Each slide contains an annotated image of a form that is easily generated. The software also produces reports, including requirement documents, updated project documentation, training materials, or the complete application-specification document for sign-off. Vision StoryBoard runs under Windows 95 or NT and costs $249. Vision Software, Oakland, CA. (510) 238-4100.

PowerPC embedded computer board includes debug monitor.

Mounted on a 3.4 × 3.9-in. board, the SBC-403 embedded computer gets its computing power from a 25-MHz IBM PowerPC 403GA, GB, or GC 32-bit processor. The board also has a debug monitor in ROM, 1 Mbyte of DRAM, as much as 1 Mbyte of EEPROM, an RS-232C serial port, and a JTAG boundary-scan interface. For real-time state or timing analysis, you can connect the SBC-403 to a Hewlett-Packard logic analyzer via an HP E2468A preprocessor interface. The on-board debug monitor lets you set breakpoints, display and modify registers and memory, and communicate with a host PC through the RS-232C port. Prices start at $595. Corelis Inc, Cerritos, CA. (310) 926-6727.

Breadboard adapter works with 68HC11 microcontroller.

When plugged into a solderless breadboard, the Adapt-11 module lets you develop applications for the 68HC11 microcontroller. Virtually all I/O pins of the controller are brought out to a breadboard-compatible 50-pin header. The module comes with a 52-pin PLCC socket and essential support circuitry, including an 8-MHz crystal, reset, a mode switch, an RS-232C interface, a 5V regulator, an external power connector, and a provision for programming 711E9 and 711E20 parts with the addition of an external programming voltage. You can also use the Adapt-11 with a pc or wire-wrapped board or prototyping cards. The module costs $49. A starter kit, including a 68HC811E2FN microcontroller, serial cable, and software, has an introductory price of $74.95. Technological Arts, Toronto, ON, Canada. (416) 963-8996.

In-circuit emulator tracks 386 µPs.

An in-circuit emulator dedicated to Intel and AMD 386 embedded processors operates at frequencies as high as 33 MHz and provides as much as 2 Mbytes of zero-wait-state memory, which can be mapped in boundaries of 8 kbytes. The unit consists of a small box that communicates with a host PC through an RS-232C interface at a programmable rate of 9600 baud to 115 kbaud. The DS-386 emulator lets you set five complex hardware breakpoints and stores as much as 16,000 frames in its dynamic trace buffer. The system costs $12,050, including 512 kbytes of overlay memory, a personality probe, 4-kbyte trace memory, software with source-level debugger, and power supply. Ceibo USA, Florissant, MO. (314) 830-4084.

Data-acquisition daughtercards tailor VMEbus motherboard.

Consisting of a VMEbus motherboard and interchangeable daughtercards, the VGX data-acquisition platform targets high-end applications in radar, sonar, image processing, simulation, and tele-communications. Off-the-shelf daughtercards provide as many as 96 channels of analog-to-digital conversion at rates from 80 kHz to 30 MHz with 12- or 16-bit resolution. Data-interface options include VMEbus, VME Subsystem bus (VSB), and a front-panel data port (FPDP). The FPDP lets you connect DSP boards from Mercury, CSPI, Sky, Ariel, and Ixthos. Prices start at <$5000 for daughtercards. Pentland Systems, Plano, TX. (214) 517-9343.

Software program checks C++ code for violations.

Running under Unix, CodeWizard reads C++ code and automatically reports rule violations. The analysis tool displays error messages indicating which rule was violated, along with an explanation of why it was violated. CodeWizard also specifies the file name and the exact line number of the suspect code. The software lets you determine whether a particular rule is valid for your code and adapts by learning your preferred rules. Versions of CodeWizard for Windows NT and 95 are scheduled for the third quarter. The introductory price is $999. ParaSoft Corp, Monrovia, CA. (818) 305-0041.

Frame grabber fits 3U VMEbus systems.

An image-capture board in a 3U VMEbus format accepts monochrome video in either NTSC or CCIR formats. The DFG1 video frame grabber provides real-time capture to dual-port video RAM mapped into the system's memory. You can transfer images at a rate of 1 Mbyte/sec. The board also has a display output for viewing live video or a captured image on an external monochrome monitor. A trigger input synchronizes image acquisition to an external event or for operation with an asynchronous (resettable) camera. All-digital synchronization produces a stable image and keeps sampling jitter to ±3 nsec. The DFG1 costs $1292 in volume. Dynatem, Mission Viejo, CA. (714) 855-3235.

Debuggers merge to tackle complex embedded systems.

To streamline the development process of high-performance embedded and real-time systems, the OSE system-level debugger combines with Software Development Systems' SingleStep debugger. Together, they allow you to move easily between kernel-aware source-level debugging and process-aware system-level debugging from within a single environment. OSE is a message-based real-time operating system for embedded systems. The OSE/SingleStep integration provides full C and C++ debugging for PowerPC and 68k processors. Prices start at $2600. ENEA Data AB, Taby, Sweden. +46 8 638 50 00.

PC-compatible rack system tolerates faults.

Intended for mission-critical applications, the Integrated Fault Tolerant Architechture (IFTA) system provides a fault-tolerant platform in a conventional 19-in. rack-mount PC-compatible form factor. The standard IFTA configuration combines two hot-swappable 300W-ac power supplies, an ISA-bus 20-slot passive backplane, and six (five 5.25-in. and one 3.50-in.) front-accessible drive bays in an 8.75-in.-high, 25-in.-deep chassis. Options include dc power supplies, ISA-segmentable backplane, ISA or PCI/ISA power-sequenced backplane, various monitors and displays, as many as five hot-swappable drives, and RAID controllers for level 1, 3, or 5 protection. Prices start at $2348. I-Bus division of Maxwell Laboratories, San Diego, CA. (619) 974-8400.

Software checks C/C++ code for inconsistencies.

To help you develop reliable programs, FlexeLint analyzes a mixed suite of C and C++ programs for bugs, glitches, and inconsistencies. Version 7.0 offers inter-statement value tracking, in which values assigned to auto variables and data members of the "this" class (for member functions) are recorded or deduced and retained across statement boundaries. The value-tracking feature checks calls to a large number of standard functions in a variety of ways. FlexeLint identifies invalid class-member function usage, including members not initialized by constructors and destructors that fail to free pointers. FlexeLint version 7.0 runs under Unix, VAX VMS, OS-9, Macintosh, and IBM VM-MVS. A one-user workstation license costs $998; a one-user LAN license costs $1998. Gimpel Software, Collegeville, PA. (610) 584-4261.

PMC module attacks compute-intensive tasks.

Equipped with a TMS320C44 DSP running at 50 MHz and 512 kbytes of zero-wait-state SRAM, the Model 7110 delivers 50 MFLOPS of processing power on a PCI Mezzanine Card. In addition to supplying multiple data channels to VMEbus receivers and DSP engines, the Model 7110 works with development tools for a variety of platforms, including Sun SPARCstations under SunOS or Solaris, PC ATs under MS-DOS, and HP 700 series workstations under HP-UX. The card costs $3495. Pentek Inc, Norwood, NJ. (201) 767-7100.

Controller board comes with Basic compiler.

Built on a 41/2361/2-in. pc board, the VersaTRAX controller combines a highly integrated processor with parallel and serial I/O functions, plus a ROM-based Basic compiler and self-contained development environment. RAM and EPROM hold as much as 24 kbytes of Basic or 64 kbytes of C code. Dedicated spaces accommodate optional functions, including a real-time clock with battery backup and a 10-bit eight-channel ADC. Prices start at $276. Aries Electronics Inc, Frenchtown, NJ. (908) 996-6841.

6U VMEbus board offers micro-SPARC-II and redundancy. For embedded applications that cannot tolerate downtime, the SPARC CPU-5VT computer board gives access to fast VMEbus throughput and supplies redundant I/O. The 6U board's dual SCSI-II ports protect data from drive failure through disk mirroring or RAID configurations. Two independent Ethernet interfaces protect against network failures and provide efficient network routing. The intelligence behind the CPU-5VT is a microSPARC-II 32-bit RISC processor, which runs at 110 MHz and delivers 78.6 SPECint92 and 65.3 SPECfp92 ratings. A full 64-bit VMEbus interface allows direct SBus-to-VME64 connections. Prices start at $7495. Force Computers Inc, San Jose, CA. (408) 369-6000.