ENGINEERING FEATURE

Embedded Hardware and Software Solutions from Arrow

From off the shelf ICs for motor control to advanced System on Module (SoM) computing technologies, and from soft processor cores to microcontroller friendly versions of the Windows® operating system, the expression ‘embedded hardware and software' encompasses an ever widening range of technologies. Here we introduce just a small selection of embedded hardware and software solutions currently available from Arrow.

Embedded systems are growing in both popularity and application areas thanks to the many benefits they offer including lower component count, improved integration levels, enhanced reliability, optimised use of board space and better all round flexibility.

In this article we take a look at a broad range of embedded solutions, including Flash microcontrollers from Atmel and Renesas, application-specific solutions from Infineon, soft processor cores from Altera and Lattice and ARM-based microcontrollers from Freescale, NXP, Texas Instruments and Toshiba. We also summarise the technologies available through Arrow’s new Advanced Embedded Solutions (AES) channel, including embedded Microsoft Windows® operating systems.

Flash Microcontrollers

A growing number of microcontrollers offer onboard Flash memory to help engineers deliver the requisite program storage functionality while minimising external component count.

Atmel's new AVR32 UC3 products, for example, are high performance, low power 32-bit microcontrollers that offer up to 512KByte of embedded zero wait state Flash memory and suit applications ranging from industrial automation and building control to medical equipment, test and measurement systems and communications products.


Figure 1: Atmel UC3 Microcontroller

In addition to the onboard Flash, these highly integrated devices offer a wealth of features that include a 10/100Mbps Ethernet MAC and full speed USB 2.0 On-The-Go (OTG). Timers, PWMs, USARTs are built into the devices, while connectivity includes IrDA, SPI, TWI and I²S.

Renesas has a comprehensive roadmap for Flash-based microcontrollers, including the recently launched 16-bit H8S/2472 series of low power, high connectivity devices, which support the low cost development of embedded applications.


Figure 2: Renesas H8S/2472 Microcontrollers

These 3.3V, 34MHz devices include 512KByte Flash memory and 40KByte RAM and are intended for use in applications such as communications equipment, building automation and low-end servers. Other on-chip peripherals include an eight-channel 10-bit Analogue/Digital Converter (ADC), 16-channel event counter, data transfer controller and Bus State Controller (BSC). A 14-bit Pulse Width Modulator (PWM) timer with four output channels can be used for control tasks or be connected to an external low-pass filter to operate as a 14-bit D/A Converter (DAC). The controllers also provide 8-bit and 16-bit timers and a watchdog timer.

Based on Renesas' high-speed 16-bit H8S/2600 CPU, devices in the H8S/2472 family are upwards compatible with the H8/300 and H8/300H CPUs at object code level. A compact 13mm x 13mm 176-pin BGA package and IEEE802.3 compliant field-proven 10/100Mbit/s Ethernet controller reduces system size, external chip count, complexity and cost. In addition to Ethernet, full-speed USB connectivity, I²C bus, LPC (Low Pin Count) bus and a Synchronous Serial communication Unit (SSU), the H8S/2472 series includes a Direct Memory Access (DMA) Controller for Ethernet (E-DMAC) unit to reduce the CPU load.

Application-Specific Solutions

Many suppliers are developing embedded solutions to meet the needs of specific applications. One such company is Infineon, who recently introduced an application kit that will speed the development of motion control designs for industrial and consumer applications.


Figure 3: Infineon Three-Phase Motor Drive Application Kit

Infineon's new Three-Phase Motor Drive Application Kit is built around the XC886 8-bit MCU capable of running Field Oriented Control (FOC), and CIPOS™, an Intelligent Power Module (IPM) that provides a high level of system integration.

Available from Arrow for just €449, the Infineon 3-Phase Motor Drive Application Kit v1.0 will shorten the time to market for designers of energy-efficient variable speed motor control designs based on motor drives with ratings to 750W. Such designs are increasingly used to deliver reduced noise, high reliability and low cost operation in applications ranging from washing machines and other home appliances to pumps and fans for industrial motor control.

The 8-bit XC886 provides 16-bit motor control with inbuilt vector computing for the FOC. A powerful motor control peripheral set includes CAPCOM6 and a 10-bit ADC. The CIPOS single inline IPM is a fully isolated package incorporating TrenchStop™ IGBTs with a low V_CEsat of 1.6V at 25°C. An auxiliary power supply, Coolset™ integrates PWM and protection control with a high voltage power MOSFET.

The new Kit is supplied with a complete software package that includes a drive monitor; Graphical User Interface for real time control and monitoring; USB-CAN bridge; optimised sensorless FOC source code; a free tool chain including SDCC compiler and IDE; and fast Flash programming via JTAG.

Soft Processor Cores

Soft processor cores for use with programmable logic also fall under the heading of embedded technologies. Among their suppliers is Lattice Semiconductor, whose LatticeMico32 is a highly configurable 32-bit Harvard, RISC architecture ‘soft' microprocessor core optimised for use with the company's FPGAs.


Figure 4: LatticeMico32 Processor

By combining a 32-bit wide instruction set with 32 general purpose registers, the LatticeMico32 provides the performance and flexibility suitable for a wide variety of markets. Using a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture, the core consumes minimal device resources, while maintaining the performance required for a broad application set. What's more, the LatticeMico32 is available as source code under the Lattice open IP core license, thereby providing visibility, flexibility and portability – all free of charge.

The associated LatticeMico32 System Development Tools provide a fast and easy way to implement microprocessor designs. The tools enable processor platform definition, software development and debug. The LatticeMico32 System is used to implement the LatticeMico32 soft microprocessor and attached peripheral components in a Lattice FPGA. It is based on the Eclipse C/C++ Development Tools (CDT) environment, which is an industry open source development and application framework for building software. The LatticeMico32 System contains two integrated tools that combine with ispLEVER to coordinate the building of an embedded processor system on an FPGA device and writing of the software to drive it.

Altera is also at the forefront of soft core development with its NIOS II, which it describes as the world’s most versatile embedded processor. The NIOS II family of embedded processors is targeted at the company’s range of FPGAs and structured ASICs and currently consists of three processor cores that implement a common instruction set architecture. Each of these cores - known respectively as Fast, Economy and Standard – are optimized for a specific price/performance point, and all are supported by the same software tool chain.


Figure 5: Altera NIOS II

NIOS II processors allow developers to create a customisable peripheral set – using Altera’s SOPC Builder tool and the available embedded peripherals, developers can create the exact set of peripherals, memories and I/O circuitry needed to meet the needs of a broad variety of applications.

ARM processors

No article on modern embedded technology would be complete without reference to the growing popularity of processors based around ARM processor cores. New ARM-based processors are launched regularly, and many of the recent devices incorporate dedicated display controller functionality, reducing the component count and simplifying the development of display-based applications.

One of the latest additions to Arrow's ARM portfolio is the Toshiba TMPA910CRAXBG. This low power device combines 32-bit ARM processing with graphics control and processing functionality and will considerably reduce the development time and component count of industrial and home appliance applications requiring
basic multimedia functionality.


Figure 6: Toshiba TMPA910CRAXBG

Based on the ARM926EJ-S™ CPU core operating at up to 200MHz, the new TMPA910CRAXBG uses a seven layer multibus architecture. This architecture significantly improves performance compared to other devices operating at similar processor speeds. The built-in LCD controller offers support for TFT and STN display sizes up to 1024 x 1024 pixels. An LCD data processor accelerator delivers image scaling, filtering and blending functions and offers real time processing for movies at speeds up to 30 frames per second.

The new TMPA910CRAXBG has a CMOS image sensor interface that simplifies the implementation of applications requiring image capture. A touchscreen interface further reduces the need for external components in Man Machine Interface (MMI) designs. Additional connectivity includes SPI, UART, I²C, I²S and a high-speed USB device (480Mbps).

Texas Instruments and Freescale also offer devices based around the ARM926EJ-S core. The Texas Instruments DaVinci™ TMS320DM355, for example, is designed to combine HD video performance with extended battery life. The device features an integrated video processing subsystem, an MPEG-4/JPEG Co-Processor (MJCP) and a variety of peripherals.


Figure 7: Texas Instruments DaVinci TMS320DM355

The TMS320DM355 is ideal for portable applications such as digital cameras, IP network cameras, digital photo frames, video door bells and other designs requiring HD video output. The integration of a video/imaging Co-Processor and video processing subsystem is how the DM355 processor achieves its performance and ultra-low power consumption. The MJCP provides HD MPEG-4 SP encode or decode at 720p and 30 frames per second and JPEG encode or decode at 50 Megapixels per second. The video processing subsystem integrates a preview engine, histogram, resizer and on-screen display in hardware.

The Freescale i.MX27 multimedia applications processor is derived from the popular i.MX21 processor and adds an h.264 D1 hardware CODEC for high-resolution video processing, an Ethernet 10/100 MAC, security, plug-and-play connectivity and more power management features. This rich feature set makes it an excellent choice for IP Network cameras, intelligent remote controls, point-of-sale terminals and many other wireless applications.


Figure 8: Freescale i.MX27 MCU

There are two devices in the new family, the i.MX27 and the i.MX27L, which are pin-compatible. The ‘L' version offers a lower cost derivative for customers who do not currently need features such as an ATA-6 HDD Interface, Memory Stick Pro support, MPEG-4/H.263/H.264 hardware encoder/decoder, and multimedia accelerator.

The i.MX27 multimedia applications processor is architected with Freescale's Smart Speed™ technology, an intelligent integrative approach that uses hardware accelerators to offload the CPU and a crossbar switch to bring parallelism to the system. The result is a processor that performs like a much higher MHz device, but conserves power for long battery life.

NXP Semiconductors offers a broad range of ARM microcontrollers including the Bluestreak ARM7 and ARM9 product family formerly made by Sharp.


Figure 9: NXP ARM-based Devices Suit Graphical Applications

BlueStreak products include ARM9-based LH7A4xx and ARM7-based LH795xx, LH754xx and LPC24xx devices. All include an LCD controller facilitating the use of graphical displays in a wide range of consumer, industrial, automotive and medical applications from handheld video players and GPS devices to point-of-sale terminals and portable medical diagnostic devices. Features include Ethernet, USB, MMU, CAN and 10-bit ADC, up to 32KByte RAM memory, on-chip frame buffer and touchscreen support. They offer glueless interfacing to a variety of external memory devices from standard SDRAM to Compact Flash (CF), PCMCIA, MMC and SD/SDIO formats.

It should also be pointed out that Arrow’s ARM core offering extends beyond microcontrollers from leading manufacturers. The company is also actively involved in offering its own ARM solutions, the latest of which is an ARM Cortex-M1 Development Kit. This kit provides all the tools and software to enable users to develop an embedded system based on the ARM Cortex-M1 processor and Altera Cyclone III (FPGAs).

Embedded Operating Systems

Arrow brings together hardware such as the processors described above with Windows operating system software to provide a complete hardware and software solution. In addition to ARM-based devices, Windows also supports designers using x86, MIPS and SH4 architectures.

Arrow can provide both Windows Embedded CE 6.0 and Windows XP Embedded, along with a variety of operating system and application development tools and middleware.

Designed specifically for embedded developers who need to bring new devices to market in minimum time and at the lowest possible cost, Windows Embedded CE 6.0 provides a 32-bit native, hard, real time, small footprint operating system and features a re-designed kernel for increased functionality. Windows XP Embedded includes many specific embedded enabling features that help optimise the operating system for
embedded devices.

In addition to the operating systems, Arrow can also provide Microsoft operating system development tools including the Windows XP Embedded Studio and Platform Builder for Windows Embedded CE 6.0. Windows XP Embedded Studio enables the development and manipulation of components in a run time image and building and deployment in the target device. Platform Builder is a plug-in for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005,
which ensures an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for the development of both application and operating system software around Windows Embedded CE 6.0.

Arrow Advanced Embedded Solutions (AES)

Many designers are looking to save development time and effort by using more integrated embedded solutions. To address these system-level requirements Arrow recently launched a dedicated, pan-European operation known as Advanced Embedded Solutions (AES).


Figure 10: Arrow Advanced Embedded Solutions (AES)

Designed to provide a European focus on platform level technologies, AES covers integrated solutions including displays, industrial computer products and solid state storage, as well as power supplies and wireless modules for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication. Operating systems – including the ‘de-facto standard' Windows embedded technologies and support tools mentioned previously - also fall under the AES umbrella.

Conclusion

As the importance of the embedded world grows, and as the technologies that fall within the embedded arena expand, engineers are increasingly looking for support and guidance on the optimum solutions for their specific design. From basic microcontrollers to sophisticated system level platforms Arrow offers solutions that are designed to address the widest possible variety of embedded applications. At the same time, the company's technical and engineering services can support every aspect of the development process from product selection and evaluation, through prototyping and on into final manufacture.

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