Tools For Embedded Professionals

Software

Toolset and debugger for picoJava

The High C/C++ Embedded Development Toolset and SeeCode Debugger for the picoJava architecture from Sun Microelectronics allow developers to compile applications with legacy C/C++ code directly into Java bytecodes, rather than rewrite the code. Because C and C++ include some constructs alien to Java, the picoJava bytecode instruction set includes some bytecode extensions to support those constructs. With the Toolset, developers can port their existing applications to the picoJava core by recompiling them. These applications can co-exist with new applications written in Java for the core.

MetaWare Inc.
Santa Cruz, CA
(408) 429-6382
www.metaware.com

Development environment

The Real-Time Windows Target and enhanced Fixed-Point Blockset provide a complete, tightly integrated environment that supports the entire engineering design process. The Fixed-Point Blockset aids in the design of digital embedded control and digital filter software for fixed-point processors. It’s customizable to support multiple instructions and multiple data stream processing units. Using the Blockset, designers can also emulate fixed-point effects on floating-point hardware. Users can generate automatic C code for execution on a fixed-point embedded processor. The Real-Time Windows Target allows designers to use a PC as a stand-alone, self-hosted target for running Simulink models interactively in real time. The Fixed-Point Blockset 2, which runs on Windows 95/98, NT, and Unix, costs $1,995 for the PC. The Windows Target, which runs on Windows 95/98 and Pentium processor PCs, is $1,995. Both products are available now.

The MathWorks Inc.
Natick, MA
(508) 647-7000
www.mathworks.com

Improved tool suite

Version 4.3 of the Power Compiling Solutions tool suite is now available. This is the second generation release of the FastJ compiler suite for the Java language. FastJ compiles Java source code and bytecode directly to native machine code. New in v. 4.3 is an incremental, pre-emptive garbage collector, which provides memory management as an interruptable background thread. Another addition is a clean-room version of basic portions of the java.net library for network and socket support. Version 4.3 also marks the second major release of the Run-Time Analysis tools. A new RTA tool in v. 4.3 is a Stack Use Analyzer, which provides both static and dynamic measurements of a program’s stack usage. Also new is a compiler configuration GUI, which provides options dialog boxes. Other new RTA tools and features include ultra fast instruction set simulators and disassemblers for all supported targets, improved Profiler/Link Map Analyzer integration, a Code Size Analyzer for measurements and comparisons of code size, and improved print capabilities. Diab Data D-CC, D-C++, and FastJ compiler suites are integrated with all leading development environments, debug tools, and RTOSes. In addition, the RTA Suite works with the pRISM+ development environment from Integrated Systems, the SingleStep debug suite from Software Development Systems, and the visionICE and visionPROBE debug systems from EST Corp. Version 4.3 is available now. Pricing for the compiler plus RTA tool suites start at $2,650 for a single-user, node-locked license. Compiler suites without RTA start at $2,200 for a single-user, node-locked license.

Diab Data
Foster City, CA
(650) 571-1700
www.ddi.com

Object-oriented implementation of TCP/IP

GenStack is an object-oriented implementation of TCP/IP that is designed specifically for use within embedded systems. It’s licensed per seat, with no product or microprocessor limits. A single licensed copy allows the development of unlimited products using any microprocessor. GenStack provides support for PPP, ARP, IP, ICMP, UDP, TCP, and common application-level services. It’s written in C++ and will compile using any standard C++ compiler. GenStack doesn’t explicitly support Ethernet or serial hardware. Instead, GenStack’s documentation provides detailed guidelines for developing the hardware interface modules, which are object-oriented encapsulations of the Ethernet controller and serial UART hardware. The final version of GenStack will be available in July for under $5,500.

Genesis Laboratory Systems
Grand Junction, CO
(888) 270-0465
www.genlabsystems.com

Software for automatic field upgrades

GoAhead FieldUpgrader v. 2.0 automates the upgrade process for software hidden inside devices. FieldUpgrader enables devices to periodically “phone home” to an upgrade server via the Internet and remotely update themselves, transferring the latest versions of software. Security of upgrade transmission is ensured through the product’s public key encryption and 32-bit checksums, verifying that device upgrades are valid and protecting against any possible en-route modification. Version 2.0 of FieldUpgrader features a smaller footprint than previous versions. The development environment is $10,000.

GoAhead Software
Bellevue, WA
(425) 453-1900
www.goahead.com

Target system simulator

The 8051 Virtual Workshop is a development tool that allows programmers to simulate their complete target system. The software debugging and verification process can proceed in the absence of target hardware. The 8051 Virtual Workshop runs under Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT 4.0. At the heart of the system is an 8051 instruction set simulator with full source-level and graphical debugging facilities. Extensions can be added to the Virtual Workshop via Wizards, tutorials, and support. It integrates with the Crossware Embedded Development Studio. The standalone 8051 Virtual Workshop package is $1,000. As an add-on-module for users with Crossware’s NT series package, the Virtual Workshop costs $700.

Crossware
Cambridge, UK
+44 (0) 1763 853500
www.crossware.com

IDE combines MULTI with ThreadX RTOS

The MULTI/ThreadX integrated development environment is optimized for embedded systems applications with tight memory constraints and hard real-time performance requirements. It combines MULTI software development tools with Express Logic’s royalty-free ThreadX real-time operating system. The MULTI IDE, which includes C, C++, and EC++ optimizing compilers, automates all aspects of embedded software development, including editing, debugging, program building, execution profiling, error checking, and source code control. It also provides a simulator that enables users to develop and execute target code on the host without having access to the target hardware. The ThreadX RTOS combines a picokernel design with fast timers and a high-speed preemption-threshold mechanism. It features a context switching time of less than 2µs on a 40MHz PowerPC 860 processor. A variety of processors is supported by this IDE. The first single-user license for the MULTI/ThreadX IDE for Windows 95/98/NT, including a C/C++/EC++ compiler, assembler/ linker, full MULTI development environment, ThreadX Kernel Awareness Package, and a project license for the ThreadX RTOS, starts at $13,400. Additional PC-hosted developer licenses are $5,900 per user.

Green Hills Software
Santa Barbara, CA
(800) 500-2580
www.ghs.com

Hardware

Development environment for MPC8260

PowerTAP is a complete development environment for the Motorola PowerQUICC II MPC8260 communications microprocessor. The environment includes the PowerTAP JTAG/COP emulator, the Code-Warrior and MWX-ICE Integrated Software Development Environments, and Tektronix’ TLA700 series logic analyzer with PowerQUICC II processor support. The PowerTAP MPC8260 emulator offers a full-featured cache display window, MMU support for memory translation and paging, and fast flash programming. PowerTAP’s 10BaseT network and Telnet interface provide the developer with remote control and monitoring of target hardware. PowerTAP MPC8260 is available now for $7,995 in single-unit quantities on a PC host. It’s also available on SunOS, Solaris, and Windows 95/NT hosts.

Applied Microsystems
Redmond, WA
(800) 426-3925
www.amc.com

Evaluation platform for HW and SW development

The Sandpoint Evaluation Platform demonstrates the capabilities of the MPC8240 Integrated PowerPC processor and provides a platform for hardware and software development. The motherboard is an ATX form factor with a PCI mezzanine card connector for the MPC8240 integrated processor-based PMC module installed with 32MB of ADRAM. Sandpoint supports up to four PCI slot-based devices that can run at 33MHz or 66MHz. The super I/O chip provides two standard 16650-compatible serial ports, an IEEE 1284 parallel port, a floppy disk port, two IDE ports, and PS/2 mouse and keyboard connectors. The Sandpoint Evaluation Platform with an MPC8249 Integrated PowerPC processor running at speeds up to 266MHz is available now for $2,415 each in single-unit quantities.

Motorola Semiconductor
Austin, TX
(512) 895-8236
www.motorola.com/powerpc

ICE for SH3-DSP family

ADViCE is a full-featured in-circuit emulator for the Hitachi SH3 7709A and SH3-DSP family. It provides full speed—up to 133MHz—emulation of the SH3 processor and supports the 208-pin QFP package. A non-intrusive trace buffer triggered by a six-event multi-level sequencer offers tools to track down real-time problems. Overlay program memory is available from 256K to 8.25MB. Emulator control and C-level source debugging using MicroVIEW-G are hosted by either Windows or Unix Motif. Ethernet, high-speed RS-232, or GPIB can provide the host-emulator connection. Full Orion/ADViCE systems for the SH3 are available now, starting at $24,995. This includes 8K trace, 1.25MB overlay memory, and Ethernet connectivity.

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

Yokogawa Digital Computer
Tokyo, Japan

Chips

StrongARM processor and companion chip

The StrongARM SA-1110 processor and the SA-1111 companion chip are the newest additions to the StrongARM family. They provide increased memory and I/O design flexibility for handheld product manufacturers. The SA-1110 processor supports SDRAM up to 100MHz, in addition to EDO RAM, flash memory, synchronous mask ROM, and ROM. Internal wait signals support variable-latency I/O devices, such as graphics controllers. USB end point and IrDA interfaces enable either wire or wireless data transfers to a PC for PC synchronization. It operates at 133MHz at 1.55V and at 206MHz at 1.75V. The SA-1111 companion chip provides I/O support for PC companions and vertical handheld applications with full, on-chip buffering for PCMCIA and compact flash peripherals. It also contains a USB host controller, two PS/2 ports, two pulse width modulators, and four additional serial ports. The SA-1111 also enables direct memory access to SDRAM system memory. The SA-1110 and SA-1111 are both available in a 256 mini-BGA package. The SA-1110 is compatible with ARM V4 architecture. Samples of the SA-1110 are available now, and samples of the SA-1111 will be available in July. Both products are scheduled to ship in the third quarter. In quantities of 10,000, the SA-1110 at 206MHz costs $28 each, and the SA-1111 chip is $15 each.

Intel
Santa Clara, CA
(408) 765-8080
www.intel.com

Eight-bit ROM micro- controller

The PIC12CR509A is an eight-bit ROM microcontroller in an eight-pin package. It features 1,024 words of ROM program memory; 41 bytes of user RAM; six I/O pins with on-chip clock oscillator; 33 single-word instructions; full-speed 1µs instruction cycle at 4MHz; seven special function hardware registers; two-level deep hardware stack; eight-bit real-time clock/counter with eight-bit programmable prescaler; watchdog timer; direct LED drive; low 2.5 to 5.5 operating voltage; and less than 2mA at 5V, 4MHz low power consumption. Like the rest of the PICmicro family, the PIC12CR509A features Migratable Memory technology, which allows customers to match the selection of microcontroller memory technology to the product life cycle of their application. The PIC12CR509A is supported by the MPLAB-ICE 2000 universal in-circuit emulator. The chip is available now in eight-pin PDIP and SOIC packages. Pricing in 50,000-unit quantities is $0.49 each. The emulator starts at $1,995.

Microchip
Chandler, AZ
(602) 786-7200
www.microchip.com

160MHz digital signal processor

The TMS320C5416 is a 160MHz digital signal processor with increased on-chip memory and improved core performance over the current TMS320C5000 product line. It has 128K words of SRAM and enables lower system cost for medium density multi-channel applications because it will support more MIPS or memory-intensive functions on a single chip, eliminating the need for external memory. The ’C5416 has transistor gate lengths of 0.18µm drawn. It will be source- and object code-compatible with other ’C5000 DSPs. It will also be pin-compatible with the ’C549 and ’C5410 DSPs. The host port interface accommodates either eight- or 16-bit processors. The device’s three multi-channel buffered serial ports (McBSPs) can connect directly to T1 or E1 lines. The on-chip six-channel direct memory access controller can provide data transfers or accesses through the HPI, any of the McBSPs, or the external bus, without CPU intervention. Samples of the DSP chip will be available in the fourth quarter, with production scheduled for the second half of next year. In quantities of 10,000, the ’C5416 costs $33.50 each.

Texas Instruments
Houston, TX
(800) 477-8924 ext. 4500
www.ti.com

Latest SuperH processor

The SH7751 is the latest addition to the SuperH family of 32-bit RISC microprocessors. It achieves a performance-to-power ratio of 1,000 MIPS per watt consumed. This, coupled with an integrated PCI v. 2.1 interface, allows the SH7751 to deliver PC-like performance and extensive peripheral connectivity. It features an integrated, industry-standard PCI expansion bus controller that operates at up to 66MHz, eliminating the need for separate PCI bridge chips. Other features include: a range of operating frequencies from 133MHz (1.5V) to 167MHz (1.8V); two-way superscalar CPU design with an arithmetic floating-point accelerator; a 32-bit data bus, selectable to eight- and 16-bit; a dedicated four-channel DMA controller for transfers across the PCI bus; a four-channel general purpose DMA controller; five 32-bit timers; fixed-length 16-bit instruction set; and on-chip debugging capabilities via a JTAG-compatible Hitachi User Debug. Samples of the SH7751 will be available in the third quarter, with shipping scheduled for early next year. It costs $33 each in 10,000-unit quantities.

Hitachi Semiconductor
San Jose, CA
(800) 285-1601 ext. 27
www.hitachi.com/semiconductor

Eight-bit MCUs extended and enhanced

The ST7 family of eight-bit microcontrollers, introduced last year, has been extended, with architectural enhancements and new devices. New features include embedded flash memory, dedicated CAN peripherals, nested interrupt capability for real-time processing, and low-cost development tools. These support tools include the Realizer graphical development tool and development packages that include full real-time emulation boards for $500. The prices for the ST7 family range from $2.50 to $5 for ROM and OTPs, respectively, for 100,000-unit quantities.

STMicroelectronics
Lexington, MA
(781) 861-2650
www.st.com

PowerPC system controllers with 64-bit PCI support

The GT-64130 and GT-64131 are system controllers that offer 66MHz 32- and 64-bit PCI and I ₂ O support for the PowerPC CPU architecture family. The GT-64130 provides of 4Gbps of bandwith. The dual-mode 66MHz PCI interface can be configured as either a single 64-bit bus or dual 32-bit PCI interfaces, allowing developers to segment the PCI bus between different I/O devices. The GT-64131 provides a single 32-bit PCI interface, supporting up to 2Gbps bandwidth on the PCI bus. Both controllers include: four DMA engines; unified memory architecture (UMA) SDRAM control; device controller for peripherals such as boot ROM, flash memory, SRAM, and I/O devices; an interrupt controller; and timers/counters. They provide support for a variety of PowerPC CPUs from Motorola and IBM. The GT-64130 costs $65 and the GT-64131 costs $54, in 5,000-piece quantities. Both are available now.

Galileo Technology
Manof, Israel
(888) 425-8351
www.galileoT.com

OEM

PCI-based micro-motherboard

The Plug-N-Run is a PCI-based micro-motherboard product line. It’s a 3-in. by 5-in. low-power module containing all the functionality of a traditional PC motherboard—including an Intel mobile Pentium or Pentium II CPU, cache, chipset, graphics controller, BIOS, and Super I/O—in a form factor designed for mobile and embedded computer systems. The initial member of the Plug-N-Run family is an ultra-compact PCI motherboard featuring the 233MHz Intel mobile Pentium processor with MMX technology. In addition to the Pentium CPU, 256K of L2 cache, and Intel 430TX system controller included in typical CPU modules, the Plug-N-Run also includes the Intel PIIX4E south bridge, a Neomagic 2160 graphics controller capable of resolutions up to 1024 x 768 at 64K colors, a Super I/O chip, support for up to 256K of main memory, and the Phoenix 4.06 BIOS. The Pentium II Plug-N-Run will feature the latest mobile Pentium II processor (Dixon) running at 333MHz, the Intel 440BX AGPset, and the Neomagic NM2200 AGP graphics controller. Plug-N-Run expansion capabilities include PCI bus, two IDEdisk drives, two floppy drives, two serial ports, one IrDA port, one parallel port, two USB ports, “X bus,” PS/2 mouse and keyboard, LCD, and CRT interfaces. The Pentium-based Plug-N-Run micro-motherboards are available now for $499 in 1,000-unit quantities, and $399 in 10,000-unit quantities. The Pentium II Plug-N-Run is sampling now.

Cell Computing
San Jose, CA
(408) 967-8800
www.cellcomputing.com

Single-board computer

The SBC2000-062 is designed to be an inexpensive single-board computer that offers both hardware versatility and programming simplicity in a 2.25-in. by 1.3-in board. It provides an RS-232 serial port, 8K EEPROM, PWM generator, four programmable I/O lines that can be either AIN, DIO, or both, low power “sleep” mode, LCD port, and keypad port. It’s offered with the Vesta Basic software development package, a Windows 95-based, embedded, IDE-driven, compiled BASIC. The board costs $29, or $44 with optional A/D lines.

Vesta Technology
Wheat Ridge, CO
(303) 422-8088 ext. 111
www.sbc2000.com

Single-board personal computers

The SCE8700C0x/SH-CARD and the SCE86638xx/CARD-PC 686 are single-board personal computers that shrink the features of a desktop computer and Windows operating system into the size of a credit card. They feature high-density assembly and system integration. The SH-CARD has all the necessary hardware built in. It integrates the 133MHz Hitachi SH3 processor with a choice of a 16MB or 32MB synchronous DRAM, an Epson SED1355 video display controller, 2MB video memory, and a compact flash connector. The SH-CARD is designed for Windows CE 2.11 applications outside the typical PC arena, such as handheld devices and portable medical equipment. The CARD-PC 686 offers Petium-class 233MHz performance for applications requiring a high-performance video graphics controller. It incorporates an AMD K6 processor plus either 32MB or 64MB of DRAM. It’s designed for Windows 98, NT 4.0, and CE 2.11. The SH-CARD is available now in sample quantities for $123 each in quantities of 10,000 units and $100 each in quantities of 50,000 units. It will ship in the third quarter. The 32MB CARD-PC 686 is available now for $450 in quantities of 10,000 units. The 64MB version is available now for $550 in the same quantities.

Epson Electronics America
San Jose, CA
(408) 922-0200
www.eea.epson.com

CompactPCI SBC with single or dual PowerPC processors

The KGM5 CompactPCI single board computer offers the option of single or dual PowerPC 750 processors on a single 6U-sized card. Available CPU speeds range from 300MHz to 466MHz, with faster speeds to be available later. The KGM5 can function in either a system or a peripheral slot, and automatically configures itself for either. It also has advanced PMC support. Chip optimization eliminates the need for a PCI-to-PCI bridge to the PMC site, reducing latency during PMC data transfers. The KGM5 supports up to 264MBps data transfers between the motherboard and its PMC modules. Other features include hot swap capability, up to 256MB of high-speed SDRAM, up to 17MB flash, two RS-232 serial ports, a 64-bit local PCI bus, an auto-sensing 10BaseT/100BaseTX Ethernet connection, and an optional eight-/16-bit ultra wide SCSI port. The board currently supports VxWorks and Linux. The KGM5 is available now, starting at $3,395.

Synergy Microsystems
San Diego, CA
(619) 452-0020
www.synergymicro.com

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