TOOLS FOR EMBEDDED DEVELOPERS

Software

Time-critical extension for Windows CE
The Time Critical Extensions (TCX) package adds support to WinDK for true nested-kernel interrupt service routines (ISRs) and high-speed kernel timers for Windows CE. TCX includes a priority scheme for nested kernel interrupts and interrupt masks which allows for simple and complex interrupt priorities to be established. With TCX, priorities are established via registry entries. TCX adds kernel times, which can be programmed to be periodic at high frequencies. The TCX package is now available for $995 in the U.S. and Canada, and $1,125 internationally.

BlueWater Systems Inc.
Edmonds, WA
(425) 771-3610
www.bluewatersystems.com

Web access to real-time applications
The USNET Web Server provides monitoring and real-time control of an embedded system with a Web browser. The HTTP server is optimized to run in 16- and 32-bit environments and is processor-, RTOS-, and TCP/IP stack-independent. Full source code is provided. USNET Web Server is an add-on for the USNET Networking Suite, an RFC-compliant protocol suite for embedded networking. USNET Web Server is available now, starting at $8,000.

U S Software
Hillsboro, OR
(503) 844-6614
www.ussw.com

UML/SDL development environment
Version 4.0 of ObjectGEODE’s Class Diagram Editor and Statechart Editor conform to UML (Unified Modeling Language) specification 1.1. UML classes can convert abstract data types to SDL for inclusion into SDL design models. Live links can be established between elements. During the debugging process, an execution mode allows operators or procedures to access any variable before or after the execution of an SDL statement. MSCs are generated and displayed during the execution of the SDL transitions. The MSC-driven mode allows users to constrain an SDL model to be driven by an MSC. External SDL procedures allow direct implementation of the procedure in C code, and the C source code can be entered into the SDL model. ObjectGEODE v. 4.0 is available now and costs approximately $15,000 per user for a 10-user license. Pricing is based on customer need and configuration.

CS Verilog
Dallas, TX
(972) 241-6595
www.verilogusa.com.

Connectivity for Rose Real-Time
Connexis allows users of Rational Rose Real-Time to interconnect UML software components. Connexis is made up of a locator service and an Object Request Broker (ORB) core. At run time, the Connexis locator service can establish the route between objects on the same processor, distributed on a backplane, or across a network. The ORB core supports communication over TCP/IP or Ethernet. It also supports other transport mechanisms. Connexis will be available in June, and starts at $5,000 per seat.

ObjecTime Ltd.
Kanata, Ontario, Canada
(613) 591-3535
www.objectime.com

Hardware

Automation test environment
Validor Pro is a test environment for embedded systems with human interfaces, including embedded PC applications. It is test software to help users create and execute test scripts, and a target interface subsystems providing stimulation and monitoring of the systems under test. It includes capture-replay capability, so test scripts are automatically captured based on user interactions with the target system. Validor Pro is now available for $31,900, which includes the test software, target interface hardware, and a host PC.

B-Tree Systems Inc.
Eden Prairie, MN
(612) 936-7887
www.btree.com

System design package features SBC, software
The ED6120 advanCE Systems Design Package contains hardware, software, and manufacturing information to produce a Windows CE-based product. The package is based on the ES2120, a RISC-based single board computer (SBC). The ES2120 includes a set of system software and drivers for Windows CE to work with its RISC microprocessor and Eclipse EC3104 Companion ASSP. The expansion bus accepts Eclipse-developed peripheral functions, such as modems and network interfaces. The ES2120 contains Hitachi’s SH7709 (SH-3) RISC microprocessor and Eclipse’s EC3104 System Companion chip with feature set. A 10-seat development license for the systems design package is free to qualified OEMs. The ES2120 SBC is $995 in single units. The EC3104 System Companion ASSP is $20 in quantities of 10,000.

Eclipse International Inc.
Mountain View, CA
(650) 691-6400
www.eclipseint.com

Debugging tool with flash programming for CAN MCU
The handheld Flex-BDM/ 68HC12DG128 BDM debugger offers flash memory programming for the 68HC12DG128 CAN microcontroller. Users are able to program all of the 128K of on-board flash memory without separate hardware or voltage. Using the debugging environment, CAN data can be displayed and updated in real-time as the microcontroller executes. With the BDM, the user can single-step C code from all memory areas, read and modify target variables and on-chip control registers, and configure hardware and execution breakpoints. The Flex-BDM/ 68HC12DG128 is compatible with all 68HC12 software toolchains. The tool connects to the target application through Motorola’s six-way BDM connector or an optional 6+4 way cable. The tool is available for $2,495.

Noral Micrologics Inc.
South Natick, MA
(508) 647-0103
www.noral.com

Instrument uses serial communication link to write to on-board flash
The AF200 Flashwriter is a portable instrument that writes to on-board flash using a serial communication link with the target. The user can download and edit object files on the Windows 95 and NT interface and download to the AF200 data buffer or to the control module card. Target connection can be accomplished with flying leads, off-the-shelf headers, or a custom connection, which can be supported by the AZ212 flexible cable assembly. The AF200 supports the following microcontrollers: Fujitsu F ² MC; Hitachi H8, H8S, and SH; Mitsubishi 37700 and M16C; NEC 78K and V800; Oki OLMS-66K; and Toshiba R3900. The AF200 comes with PC interface software, interconnection accessories, and a microcontroller module for about $4,000. Additional microcontroller support can be added for $895.

Orion Instruments Inc.
Sunnyvale, CA
(408) 747-0440
www.oritools.com

Chips

Eight-bit MCU with flash
The 68HC908GP20 is an eight-bit microcontroller with flash memory and rewritable memory capability. FLASHwire, a new feature on the ’GP20 gives designers the ability to program code in-circuit. The MCU features a 68HC08 instruction set, which includes multiply and divide instructions, and provides designers with a code-compatible migration path for existing 68HC05-based designs. It contains 19,968 bytes of in-system programmable flash memory, 512 bytes of user RAM, a new auto wake-up out of stop capability, and further general purpose I/O integration. Additional features include a 32kHz-compatible oscillator and on-chip PLL; low-voltage inhibit with selectable trip points; internal pull-ups; high-current I/O; serial ports; and an eight-channel, eight-bit A/D converter. The ’GP20 costs $4.50 in 50K quantities.

Motorola Semiconductors
Austin, TX
(512) 373-3000
sps.motorola.com/csic

Low-cost, floating-point DSP
The TMS320VC33 and TMS320C6711 are floating-point digital signal processors. The ’C33 provides 1Mbit of RAM and delivers 120 MFLOPS, double the performance of earlier products in the ’C3x family. As the first ’C3x DSP to be manufactured using TI’s 0.18-micron technology, the ’C33 takes advantage of reduced space requirements, increase processor speeds, and reduced costs.

The ’C6711 operates at 100MHz and delivers 600 MFLOPS. The 150MHz version delivers 900 MFLOPS. The ’C6711 is also manufactured with 0.18-micron technology. The ’C6711 is identical in pinout and on-chip peripherals to the ’C6211 fixed-point DSP, and the floating-point code of the ’C67x family is a superset of the ’C62x family’s fixed-point code.

The ’C33 will sample in the fourth quarter of 1999. The 120MHz version will be $5 and the 150MHz version will be $8. The ’C6711 will also sample in the fourth quarter. The 100MHz version will be $20 and the 150MHz version will be around $40. All prices are for OEM quantities.

Texas Instruments
Houston, TX
(800) 477-8924
www.ti.com/sc/c6000

Eight-bit MCU optimized for digital signal processing
The SX52BD is the newest member of the SX Series eight-bit microcontrollers. It’s optimized for the digital signal processing functions that are found in communications and Internet connectivity applications. With expanded on-chip memory, added I/O ports, and multi-function timers, the SX52BD has an improved capacity to execute DSP tasks in software. To facilitate the implementation of Virtual Peripherals, the SX52BD offers two high-speed, processor-independent 16-bit multi-function timers, which can be driven by either an on-chip eight-bit prescaler or an external clock source. The SX52BD costs about $5 in quantities of 100,000.

Scenix Semiconductor
Santa Clara, CA
(408) 327-8888
www.scenix.com

OEM

Miniature SBC for network-enabled products
The ipEngine-1 is a miniature single board computer and associated software designed to reduce the complexity required to network-enable embedded products. It provides a vertically integrated “network engine,” complete with the hardware, software, and development environment required to network-enable a product. The ipEngine-1 incorporates a PowerPC processor, 16MB of DRAM, 2MB of flash memory, Ethernet interface, LCD display controller, USB interface, 16,000 gate FPGA, and switching power supply onto a board about the size of a credit card. Complementing this integrated hardware is a choice of two pre-integrated operating system environments. The first is BSE’s real-time pKernel POSIX-based network OS and the second is an embedded version of Linux. Both environments provide full TCP/IP networking and Web server support. The ipEngine-1 and associated developer’s kits are available immediately. Pricing for the ipEngine-1 is $895 each for the first four boards, and from $350 to $795 in OEM volumes. The pKernel and Embedded Linux developer’s kits cost $1,995 each and include six months of support maintenance.

Bright Star Engineering
Andover, MA
(978) 470-8738
www.brightstareng.com

Return to Table of Contents