DSPEmbedded.com: 2012

Thursday, 20 December 2012

Xilinx Vivado Design Suite WebPACK Edition

A free version of Vivado Design Suite is now available from +Xilinx Inc. Xilinx Vivado Design Suite WebPACK Edition is provided as a no cost but device and feature-limited download. The WebPACK Edition includes the full Integrated Development Environment and Software Development Kit (SDK) and a limited version of the Vivado Simulator. The Vivado Logic Analyzer, Vivado Serial I/O Analyzer, High-Level Synthesis features, and System Generator for DSP are not included in the WebPACK edition.

Xilinx Vivado Design Suite WebPACK Edition is available for download now and supports the Artix-7 and Kintex-7 devices. In addition, customers can evaluate the full design suite for 30 days.

Xilinx Vivado Design Suite WebPACK Edition Press Release

Vivado Design Suite Evaluation and WebPACK

Monday, 17 December 2012

The NXP LPC800 Switch Matrix

Some recent articles detailing the NXP LPC800 ARM® Cortex™-M0+ microcontroller and the configuration of the device's switch matrix:

LPC800 Switch Matrix: Making life easier one pin at a time bit.ly/V2UoTH
— DSP Embedded (@DSPEmbedded) December 17, 2012

LPC800 Switch Matrix: Making life easier one pin at a time

DIP package is back, great post! RT @armembedded: #ARM Blog: The un'NXP'ected #LPC800 j.mp/T3umiD @nxp #Cortex-M0+ #MCU
— NXP Semiconductors (@LPCZone) December 17, 2012

The un’NXP’ected LPC800

Friday, 14 December 2012

Adding sound to embedded designs - with the Silicon Labs Class D ToolStick

Silicon Labs Simplifies Digital Class D Audio Development for 32-Bit Embedded Designs

Monday, 10 December 2012

Texas Instruments introduces a new real-time operating system for microcontrollers: TI-RTOS

Development on MCUs just became worlds easier with TI-RTOS!ow.ly/fGR5b
— Texas Instruments (@TXInstruments) December 6, 2012

Texas Instruments has introduced a new real-time operating system for TI microcontrollers: TI-RTOS. The new RTOS is a complete operating system for microcontrollers that provides a real-time multitasking kernel along with additional components including TCP/IP stacks, USB stacks, a FAT file system and other device drivers.

TI-RTOS comes as a free download and is royalty free and works with TI Code Composer IDE v5.2 and above. The new operating system can be configured by means of a graphical tool or a text editor. TI-RTOS is available now for select TI microcontrollers including the ARM Cortex-M4 and the C2000 dual core C28x + ARM Cortex-M3.

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

TI C2000™ Piccolo™ F2805x MCUs for motor control applications (video overview)

Monday, 3 December 2012

Microchip introduces new 32-bit PIC32MX1/MX2 microcontrollers with 25% performance improvement

Microchip Technology today introduced new 32-bit PIC32 MX1/MX2 microcontrollers running at 50 MHz. The new MCUs boast a 25% performance increase compared to existing devices:

Dec. 3, 2012 [NASDAQ: MCHP] — Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, mixed signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced a 25% performance boost on its 32-bit PIC32MX1/MX2 microcontrollers (MCUs). By increasing their speed to 50 MHz or 83 DMIPS, Microchip is taking the PIC32 MX1/MX2 MCUs’ performance to a new level, in combination with its feature-packed peripherals and 4-channel DMA.

The PIC32MX1/MX2 series includes Microchip’s smallest 32-bit MCUs, with sizes down to 5 mm x 5 mm and a 0.5 mm pitch, as well as the lowest-cost PIC32 MCUs. These devices include up to 128K Flash and 32K RAM, and integrate peripherals for touch-sensing, audio-processing and advanced-control applications. Specifically, integrated peripherals include a hardware module for adding mTouch™ capacitive-touch buttons or advanced sensors, an 8-bit Parallel Master Port (PMP) interface for graphics or external memory, a 10-bit 1-Msps 13-channel Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), and serial communications peripherals. The MX2 series adds USB On-the-Go (OTG) capabilities.

The PIC32MX1 and MX2 MCUs are targeted for low-cost applications in the consumer and automotive markets, such as consumer music-player docks, noise-cancelling headsets, clock radios, and entertainment-system sound bars, as well as touch screens with buttons and sliders, graphic displays and USB device/host applications. In the medical and industrial markets, applications include industrial-grade noise-cancelling headsets and medical/industrial displays with touch-sensing capabilities.

“The improved performance that we’re adding to these recently introduced, low-cost PIC32MX1/MX2 MCUs enables designers to overcome speed bottlenecks,” said Sumit Mitra, vice president of Microchip’s MCU32 Division. “Additionally, designers can develop a broad range of products for the consumer, industrial, medical and other markets that require the combination of audio, touch-sensing and embedded-control capabilities, as well as USB communication, all with one MCU.”

Microchip Boosts 32-bit MCU Performance by 25% on Low-Cost, Small Package PIC32 MX1/MX2 Series

Low Cost Samsung Exynos Development Boards

Two new low cost but powerful Samsung Exynos 4412 development boards are now available from Harkernel. The ODROID-U costs $69 and the ODROID-U2 costs $89: (via @cnxsoft)

$69 ODROID-U & $89 ODROID-U2 Samsung @exynos 4412 Development Boards cnx-software.com/2012/11/30/69-… #ubuntu #android #developer
— Embedded Software (@cnxsoft) November 30, 2012

Sunday, 2 December 2012

Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC)

Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC) is a low-power tiny form factor - 100mm x 100mm - computer which could eventually replace the desktop PC. Here are some recent reviews of the NUC from around the web.

Review: Intel's Next Unit of Computing

Intel Next Unit of Computing Kit DC3217BY

Inside Intel's Next Unit of Computing (DC3217BY)

Achieving maximum motor efficiency using dual core ARM SoC FPGAs: Michael Parker of Altera Corp. describes how t... bit.ly/11xH9fv
— Embedded.com (@embedded_com) December 1, 2012

Thursday, 2 August 2012

Chips Simplify Low-Power Bluetooth Development

Chips Simplify Low-Power Bluetooth Development:

By Lou Frenzel
Nordic Semiconductor’s new nRF51 series of wireless devices can implement Bluetooth low energy, ANT+ or proprietary wireless applications using an embedded ARM 32-bit Cortex-M0.

Methods of controlling multiple LED strings with C2000 microcontrollers

Methods of controlling multiple LED strings with C2000 microcontrollers:

As more applications continue to integrate LED technology, developers face the challenge of driving greater numbers of LEDs while lowering system cost and increasing power efficiency. For systems requiring multiple strings of LEDs, TI provides two example solutions illustrating differing power stage topology designs and digital control methods. This whitepaper explores the different LED driver topologies and digital control methods available for driving multiple LED strings efficiently to reduce system cost, lower operating expenses, increase color accuracy, and improve overall reliability.

Xcell Journal Issue 80 Details the Virtex-7 H580T - the World's First Heterogeneous 3D FPGA - and Low-Cost Artix-7 FPGAs

Xcell Journal Issue 80 Details the Virtex-7 H580T - the World's First Heterogeneous 3D FPGA - and Low-Cost Artix-7 FPGAs: SAN JOSE, Calif., July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Xilinx, Inc. (NASDAQ: XLNX) today announced immediate availability of the Summer 2012 edition of Xcell Journal magazine, featuring in-depth looks at Xilinx's Virtex®-7 H580T, the world's first heterogeneous 3D FPGA, and the Artix™-7 A100T, the first device shipping from Xilinx's feature-rich, low-power, low-cost 28nm generation of All Programmable devices. Xcell Journal issue 80 is available as a one-click pdf download or in ISSUU eMagazine format (iPad compatible)

The Dangers of Rounded Numbers, Typical Specifications, and Simulations

The Dangers of Rounded Numbers, Typical Specifications, and Simulations: MAXIM Tutorial. This tutorial emphasizes the importance of designing circuits with care and thinking through all aspects of a design. All too often, engineers are led astray by a data sheet's specs, either because they have been rounded or because the engineer only kept the typical specifications in mind. With either pitfall, there can be disastrous results in a design. This document explains why relying on rounded numbers and typical specifications, and favoring simulations over physical prototypes can cause a circuit to fail.

Digital Signal Processors Market, Global Forecast & Analysis (2011-2016) - report

Digital Signal Processors Market, Global Forecast & Analysis (2011-2016) - Focus on Customizable, Embedded, Programmable (FPGA & PLD), Application Specific (ASIC) based DSP Chips, DSP System-on-Chips & Intellectual Property (IP) Markets

NEW YORK, Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Digital Signal Processors Market, Global Forecast & Analysis (2011-2016) – Focus on Customizable, Embedded, Programmable (FPGA & PLD), Application Specific (ASIC) based DSP Chips, DSP System-on-Chips & Intellectual Property (IP) Markets

more at

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digital-signal-processors-market-global-forecast--analysis-2011-2016---focus-on-customizable-embedded-programmable-fpga--pld-application-specific-asic-based-dsp-chips-dsp-system-on-chips--intellectual-property-ip--164732076.html

Get real-time, digital control at your fingertips. TI expands microcontroller LaunchPad ecosystem with new $17 C2000™ LaunchPad.

Get real-time, digital control at your fingertips. TI expands microcontroller LaunchPad ecosystem with new $17 C2000™ LaunchPad.: Prototyping with Piccolo™ 32-bit MCUs is easier and less expensive with hardware and software that expands to TI BoosterPacks, enabling a myriad of applications

How To Create And Program USB Devices

How To Create And Program USB Devices:

By Henk Muller
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard has been with us for many years, but making USB devices is still a daunting task. Find out how to make it easier.

Releasing Windows 8 - August 1, 2012

Releasing Windows 8 - August 1, 2012:
Today marks an important milestone in the Windows 8 project. The Windows 8 team is proud to share with you that a short while ago we started releasing Windows 8 to PC OEM and manufacturing partners. This means our next milestone will be the availability of exciting new models of PCs loaded with Windows 8 and online availability of Windows 8 on October 26, 2012.

MIPS Powers World’s Lowest Cost Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Tablet

MIPS Powers World’s Lowest Cost Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Tablet:

World’s Lowest-Cost Android™ 4.1 ‘Jelly Bean’ Tablet

Shipping Now—It’s MIPS!

Karbonn Mobiles Now Shipping MIPS-Based™ Tablet in India
SUNNYVALE, Calif. – July 31, 2012 – MIPS Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIPS), a leading provider of industry-standard processor architectures and cores for home entertainment, networking, mobile and embedded applications, together with Ingenic Semiconductor, a leading China-based CPU provider for mobile multimedia applications, and Karbonn Mobiles, a leading mobile brand and provider of attractively priced multimedia phones in India, today announced availability in India of the world’s lowest-cost Android™ 4.1 ‘Jelly Bean’ tablet.

Analog Devices Expands Its Industry Leading D/A Converter Portfolio

Analog Devices Expands Its Industry Leading D/A Converter Portfolio: Analog Devices Expands Its Industry Leading D/A Converter Portfolio

Saleae Logic16 – 16 Channels logic analyzer for everyone

Saleae Logic16 – 16 Channels logic analyzer for everyone:

Saleae Logic16 is a Logic analyzer to take you to the next level of digital circuits design and debugging. It features 16 Channels with 100Mhz max sampling rate. Priced at $299

Flexible sample rate: Sample 2 channels at 100MHz, 4 channels at 50MHz, 8 channels at 25MHz, or all 16 channels at 12.5MHz.
16 channels: As you might have guessed from the name, Logic16 lets you connect up to 16 of your most troublesome signals
Enhanced hardware-side buffer: Logic16 has a much larger hardware-side buffer than Logic, considerably enhancing its reliability for extremely long captures at high speeds.
Billions of samples: Logic16 can save as many as 10B samples, letting you capture even the most elusive events. No more dealing with frustratingly small sample buffers.
> more tech specs here

Saleae Logic16 – 16 Channels logic analyzer for everyone - [Link]