Embedded World: Toshiba showcases newest development tools

Among the technologies to be unveiled at the event will be the BMSKTOPASM369 – a new starter kit for the first family of ARM-Cortex microcontrollers to combine Ethernet, CAN and USB host and device connectivity in a single IC. Software tools designed to speed up and optimise embedded designs for motor control applications will also be announced and supported by live demonstrations. According to Toshiba, the starter kit is a highly integrated evaluation board that combines its TMPM369Fxxx mcu with a comprehensive set of connectivity options and peripherals. The board features an integrated power supply and is said to offer rapid 'out of box' prototyping and testing for applications ranging from industrial control systems and barcode readers to motion control, home appliances and solar inverters. Using the board in conjunction with software from Toshiba's partners, fully functional prototypes can be quickly developed – including embedded systems that integrate a web server on the microcontroller. Interfaces provided by the BMSKTOPASM369 hardware comprise 10/100 Ethernet; USB (host and device) and USB (UART); CAN; microSD; and a dedicated motor control interface that supports direct connection to a motor power board. A light sensor, eight indication leds and a joystick interface are also provided, while a 'J-Link' JTAG interface supports connection of hardware probes for debugging and trace functionality. Toshiba partners can provide a range of free and low cost development tools and embedded software – such as Atollic's TrueSTUDIO IDE and Segger's RTOS, web server software and TCP/IP and HTTP stacks - to support application development. Based around a 32bit ARM Cortex-M3 core running at 80MHz - and with up to 512Kbyte of Flash memory and up to 128Kbyte of RAM - the four microcontrollers in the TMPM369Fxxx series integrate single channel CAN2.0B, a full speed USB Host controller, a full speed USB device controller and a 10/100BASE single channel Ethernet MAC. Two independent a/d converters with conversion times of 1µs – or 0.5µs in interleaved mode - meet the requirements of barcode readers and other applications requiring ultra fast conversion. In addition, each of the devices features a special multi purpose timer. This combines three phase PWM control with an a/d converter trigger making the new devices suitable for motor control applications. All of the microcontrollers feature two 10bit d/a converter channels and a 2 channel encoder signal input for motor control. Also onboard are a real time clock and an oscillation frequency detector. The latter provides hardware monitoring of the cpu clock in accordance with the IEC60730 (Class B) safety standard for home appliances. Power on reset functionality, as well as an internal oscillator is provided as standard.