EBV Elektronik is providing developers with a tailored development package for Freescale Semiconductor’s MCF532X DragonFire microprocessor family in the form of the COBRA5329 reference platform.
This reference board and Linux software environment has been developed in a joint project undertaken by senTec Elektronik and emlix, which was commissioned by Freescale Semiconductor, National Semiconductor and EBV Elektronik. In addition to the MCF5329 microprocessor, which is equipped with extensive peripherals, the board also contains National Semiconductor's DP83848 Ethernet PHY module as well as appropriate flash memories and SRAM-ICs. The application board is designed for Power over Ethernet operation at 10/100 Mbps.
Says Detlef Kaminski, regional application manager for EBV in Central Europe: "With the COBRA5329 application-related system, we will demonstrate the possibilities offered by Freescale's high-performance and highly integrated MCF5329. In an Ethernet environment using the Power over Ethernet option, implemented by National's LM5070 DP83848, it can be seen how efficiently a Linux-based POS terminal can be designed, for example, with a graphic user interface.
"The COBRA5329 is a complete turnkey system which, thanks to its modular design, can be incorporated into a customer application as a pure process module or to enable the extension of customer-specific developments. The whole package is tailored to a comprehensive and specific Linux software environment, which allows a quick start-up even from Windows XP-PCs," he explains.
The modular COBRA5329 package is provided with an appropriate board support package (BSP), which includes the Linux system, with a tailored toolchain and coLinux-based development environment for commissioning and working with the board using Windows XP.
Hardware
senTec Elektronik developed the board to offer maximum flexibility: on the main board (the 120 x 150 mm COBRA5329 Base Carrier Board) it is possible to piggyback the 120-pin Hirose connectors for the insertion of the COBRA5329 processor module and other add-on boards. The dimensions of each of these add-on boards are about 48 x 68 mm - smaller than a credit card.
By using National's Power over Ethernet LM5070 controller and DP83848 Ethernet PHY ICs, the entire processor board can also be operated without a separate power supply. This means that under certain conditions an additional power supply may not be necessary for a POS payment system, the system being supplied exclusively by the Ethernet interface.
Amongst other things, the COBRA5329 processor module contains 16 MB SDRAM and 16 MB Flash, which can be expanded to 32 MB and 64 MB respectively.
Software
emlix has developed an embedded Linux package that implements the modular environment envisioned by Freescale and EBV, as well as being a component of the COBRA5329 package. The BSP comprises a current Linux toolchain (compiler, etc) tailored to the DragonFire and a core with root file system optimised to the board.
Moreover, the BSP in the COBRA5329 package includes a coLinux-based development environment, which allows simple commissioning of the board, even directly using Windows XP. With the support of the integrated LCD controller and some example programs for the Nano-X graphic user interface, developers can program their own graphic applications quickly. As an additional service for initial entry to the embedded Linux world, emlix offers introductory training seminars with the COBRA5329 board under μClinux as well as project-specific support and services.
The MCF5329
The MCF5329 product family is a 32-bit microprocessor based on the established ColdFire architecture with a high-capacity V3 core/240 MHz. The family was developed for monitoring and control applications with integrated graphics for measuring devices and operating terminals. All members of the family contain SVGA LCD controllers, USB host and USB on-the-go, an SDRAM controller for two memory banks, a 16-channel DMA controller, three UARTs, a queued SPI interface and other peripherals.
The COBRA5329KIT contains the COBRA5329PM, the basis carrier board and the embedded Linux package, while the COBRA5329PM is the processor module with MCF5329 processor. www.ebv.com/dragonfire has more information and registrants will have a chance to win a free board.
| Tel: | +27 11 236 1900 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.ebv.com |
| Articles: | More information and articles about EBV Electrolink |
© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved
printer friendly version