Design Automation


Microcontroller development kits

1 April 2009 Design Automation

Texas Instruments has developed three new tools for TMS320C2000 32-bit realtime microcontrollers and one new tool for the 16-bit MSP430F5xx ultra-low power MCU series.

Expanding the company’s controlCARD offering, the 32-bit C2000-based Resonant DC/DC Developer’s Kit, Renewable Energy Developer’s Kit and Peripheral Explorer Development Kit aim to speed development and enhance functionality for energy-efficient, realtime digital power applications such as solar inverters, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), telecom rectifiers and LED lighting.

The MSP430F5438 MCU Experimenter’s Kit helps designers to develop with and learn about the new F5xx MCUs, which provide very low active power consumption, lots of memory and integration for applications such as energy harvesting, wireless sensing and automatic metering infrastructure (AMI)

The Resonant DC/DC Developer’s Kit features a single-transformer LLC type digital power EVM with four distinct feedback methods, as well as a lossless current sensing circuit for fault protection and active load for transient response tuning. It provides onboard USB JTAG emulation with a connection for an external emulator and power supply.

The Renewable Energy Developer’s Kit features an F2808 controlCARD for DC-AC power conversion in solar, wind and fuel cell applications. It has a front end single-phase boost on a board designed for single or three-phase output. Battery charging and management is provided, including a relay switch between battery and solar panel. In addition to AC line sensing and synchronisation to detect if the main grid goes down, voltage and current measurement are provided for maximum power point tracking and anti-islanding.

The Peripheral Explorer Developer’s Kit is an excellent teaching tool for new users or students to demonstrate key C2000 peripherals such as ePWM, ADC, McBSP, eCAP, CAN, I²C, SPI and GPIO. An F28335 controlCARD is included with the peripheral explorer baseboard for full board development. A 5 V power supply is provided for powering the C2000 MCU and board components.

The MSP430F5438 Experimenter Kit provides a socket which allows for easy upgrades and quick application changes. It enables fast low-power wireless development with support for various TI low-power wireless RF evaluation modules covering the sub-1 GHz and 2,4 GHz frequency bands. Multiple input/output options allow for fast system development, including microphone, joystick control, two pushbuttons, dot matrix LCD, USB connectivity and a 3,5 mm headphone jack for audio output. JTAG headers make the device accessible for realtime, in-system programming and debugging.

The development kits are supported by a limited version Code Composer Essentials IDE, documentation and example software.

For more information contact EBV Electrolink, +27 (0)21 402 1940, [email protected], www.ebv.com



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