ICDPPCNEXUS, P&E’s in-circuit debugger for the MPC55xx/MPC56xx processors, uses reset scripts to properly initialize the device when it comes out of reset. In this post we discuss why these reset scripts are necessary and also analyze the contents of these scripts in detail. Click through for more.

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Today's tip concerns P&E's Cyclone automated programmers. We've noticed that on rare occasions some users have observed that although a "PT" (program trim) command has been specified in the SAP programming sequence, the trim value is not programmed.

By working closely with Cyclone users, we've discovered that the issue is not that the Cyclone receives the command and fails to program the trim value to the target, but rather the PT operation was accidentally pre-empted by the user. Click through to read about this error and a simple preventative solution.

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In a previous post, we showed how to use PKGPPCNEXUS and  PKGCFZ_PRO to display the contents of an ELF/DWARF file using Readelf.  In this post, we look at the Readelf output and explain its description of your object code. 

We will use this example Readelf output to illustrate the kinds of information that Readelf provides. Click through to view the example and follow along.

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When using either a Cyclone PRO or a Cyclone MAX, customers often ask whether programming a target through Ethernet is faster than USB or vice versa.  While it's certainly true that the transfer time of data from the PC to the Cyclone occurs faster over an Ethernet link, the actual programming time is bottlenecked by the BDM Shift Frequency.

BDM Shift Frequency refers to the rate at which signals are handshaked (shifted) from one of the interface ports of a Cyclone unit to the Background Debug port of the target unit.  This handshake can occur synchronously or asynchronously, the former requiring the presence of a clock source (note that some ColdFire devices such as the MCF5272 require a synchronous interface), and may also require a power cycle sequence as part of entry into background mode, which is performed automatically by the Cyclone PRO. Click through to continue demystifying BDM Shift Frequency.

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P&E offers an easy and reliable way to control a Cyclone PRO via the built-in RS232 protocol. If you would like to follow along with our example, please pre-program your Cyclone PRO with a stand-alone image and configure your RS232 host device to operate at an 115200 baud rate, 8 data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit mode. You are now ready to enjoy the flexibility of controlling your Cyclone PRO by sending it a pre-defined set of byte strings. Click through to continue with our example code...

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Did you know you can safeguard data while erasing your flash module during Flash/EEPROM programming? P&E has added a “preserve range” function that can be used in a programming algorithm to preserve memory ranges. The function looks at the range to be preserved, saves it, and restores it after the flash has been erased. Click through to see how to take advantage of this new feature.

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The HC(S)12(X) microcontroller family uses a paged flash architecture to expand its addressable memory beyond the standard 64KB (or $0000 to $FFFF). Microcontrollers with this feature treat a 16KB block of memory from $8000 to $BFFF as a memory window.  This window allows multiple 16KB blocks to be switched into and out of program memory.  An 8-bit program page register (PPAGE) tells the microcontroller which block to read.

To program the flash with P&E's software, you need an S-record file that has physical addresses by definition.  If you have a logical file, you can use the Log2Phy tool to convert it to an S-record. Click through to learn more.

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P&E has added a new Chip Select Diagnostic mode to its interactive flash programmers to allow the user to diagnose memory map configuration problems.

P&E’s flash programmers support an extensive array of external flash devices connected to the processor.  P&E’s algorithms are designed to work by default when the flash device is connected to the boot chip select and no modification is needed to the reset configuration of the output enable and write enable lines. However, there are numerous ways in which the flash can be connected that may require changes to the default reset configuration of the processor’s chip select, write enable, and output enable operation.

When another configuration is used, the algorithm may require some modification to work. Click through to see an example of a typical modification to a P&E algorithm, as well as how to run the new Chip Select Diagnostic tool.

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Certain test procedures and production environments require the use of a cable longer than the typical 9-inch flat ribbon cable typically included with P&E hardware interfaces. Extending the cable length requires special considerations for signal integrity, crosstalk, and electromagnetic interference. Simply using a longer cable without understanding these topics will usually produce a setup that does not work reliably, if at all.

If it is necessary to use a longer cable, P&E recommends using a shielded jacketed cable . This cable configuration is excellent at reducing crosstalk as well as minimizing electromagnetic interference from other devices. Further improvement can be obtained if the wires are also arranged in twisted pairs. Shielded USB cables are inexpensive and easy to rework. The four wires provided can be used to create a cable for the standard 6-pin BDM header used by many Freescale microprocessors.

In general, these guidelines should be followed for all cables between the target microprocessor and the P&E hardware interface:

1. Use the shortest cable possible

    

2. Use shielded cable configurations to reduce parasitic effects

    

3. Lower the communication frequency.

For certain architectures, this can be configured in software by the user. For other architectures, the communication speed is only dependent on the processor's bus frequency. Reducing the bus frequency (ie. disabling the PLL) should improve results.

For time-sensitive HCS08/RS08 applications the developer often needs to trim the internal reference clock in order to generate a desired bus frequency. P&E's HCS08 and RS08 Flash Programmers provide a command called “Program Trim” that allows developers to program a pre-calculated value to the non-volatile flash locations that are reserved for storing ICSTRM and ICSSC registers. These can then be loaded at run-time.

Click through to view a demonstration of how the “Program Trim” command can be used to generate a bus frequency of 8 MHz on a 9S08QE128 microcontroller...

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P&E's Cyclone programmers are sophisticated and flexible tools designed for in-circuit flash programming.  Field service updates, an important part of a field system, often occur in places where there is no access to a PC or power outlet.  However, P&E's Cyclones are lightweight, compact programmers that have been designed to operate in stand-alone mode – i.e. they can be loaded with a programming image, detached from the PC, and then be controlled via the LCD menu and control buttons. This makes it simple to update the firmware of a field system, for example. In the field, the Cyclone unit may be powered by using a Cyclone_PowerPack, which is a lightweight and compact lithium ion battery.  The combination of the Cyclone programmer and the battery pack creates a fully operational field programming setup that is lightweight, compact, and extremely portable. 

All that is required for a field update is to connect the battery-powered, pre-programmed Cyclone to the target. Flash programming occurs directly from the Cyclone image to the target by a simple touch of the Start button. Once initiated, programming launches and the on-board LCD displays the current state of the programming process. The final result, which is displayed on the LCD screen and with highly visible LEDs, clearly indicates a successful programming result.

If you use the ELF/DWARF file format with P&E's Programming or Debugging software, download one of our free C development kits to view the information within the ELF/DWARF file.  Use Readelf to examine your application memory map, check your linker script, determine application size, view detailed debugging information, and more. 

We include the GNU Readelf utility with our C development kits, PKGPPCNEXUS for PowerPC 55xx and PKGCFZ_PRO for ColdFire.  These packages give you a complete set of development tools including the P&E ICD debugger, PROG Flash programming software, register viewing software, WinIDE editor, target specific project templates, and a GNU compiler toolchain. 

Download PKGPPCNEXUS Starter Edition
http://www.pemicro.com/downloads/download_file.cfm?download_id=194

Download PKGCFZ_PRO Starter Edition
http://www.pemicro.com/downloads/download_file.cfm?download_id=180

You can control Readelf and the entire compiler toolchain from WinIDE.  During compilation, you can automatically process the compiler output file with Readelf and dump the information to a text file.  Also, take advantage of Readelf with any target architecture - if you're not targeting ColdFire or PowerPC 55xx, you can install one of our free C development kits and use WinIDE as a stand-alone ELF/DWARF viewer.

FAQ 118:  How do I configure WinIDE to launch Readelf?
http://www.pemicro.com/faqs/faq_view.cfm?id=118

UPDATE: Learn more about the Readelf output here.

Did you know that P&E provides simulation for nearly the whole array of Freescale 8-bit microcontrollers (RS08/HCS08/HC08)? Simulation is  inexpensive and fast, and allows for a highly detailed look at the functionality of the simulated device. P&E Simulations include trace capabilities and are cycle-accurate (cycle accuracy allows for a low level, cycle-by-cycle analysis of the timing and general functionality of your code). Furthermore, simulation allows the seamless loading of code to the entire memory array of the processor, without the cumbersome flash burning that accompanies hardware development -- and byte by byte modification of the memory is allowed at any time.

     In addition to initial development, simulation can serve as a highly effective means of product evaluation. Evaluation of various devices via simulators can be relatively painless and inexpensive when compared to evaluating those same devices using actual hardware. In addition, our simulations are often published before the silicon is widely available, so simulation is also an excellent tool to help you stay on the cutting edge.

     Currently, P&E Simulations are available within the Codewarrior toolsuite. However, P&E will soon be releasing the Simulation Toolkit, which will include all simulations in one convenient package. Stay tuned to the P&E Newsflash for more updates on the release of this product.

P&E's UNIT Library Interface Routines for the 68HC16 now support the USB Multilink Interface for the 68HC16 architecture. The UNIT Library comes in the form of a DLL with example interface code for Microsoft Visual Studio as well as Borland Delphi. All the calls in the DLL are documented so that other development environments can also access the calls.

The UNIT library allows a customer to create a Windows application on the PC which directly controls the target 68HC16 processor via one of P&E's hardware interfaces (the CABLE1632 Parallel Port Interface and now additionally the USB Multilink Interface). Using the library, the Windows application can reset the 68HC16 processor, read/write memory, load code, step, run, and much more! The libary is perfect for creating test, update, and diagnostic applications.

Unit libraries are available for most all Freescale architectures. Details can be seen here.

When it comes to production programming, a lot of times one or more serial numbers are required.

P&E has developed a utility called SERIALIZE, which allows the generation of a .SER serial number description file. This graphical utility sets up a serial number which will increment according to the parameters set by the user.

For P&E interactive programmers (PROGx software), the .SER files are stored on the PC and updated every time a serial number is programmed to the target.

For Cyclone stand-alone operations, a similar mechanism has been implemented, except that the serial number structure is stored in the Cyclone's non-volatile internal FLASH memory. The .SER file is used to obtain the initial serial number. Click through to read about how a user can take advantage of this feature in stand-alone operations.

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P&E offers a set of In-Circuit Debuggers that are packed with powerful scripting features. Whether you are stepping through a couple of lines of assembly code or debugging a C-level source, P&E's toolset can help you get the job done. P&E's In Circuit Debuggers are designed with repeatable test and debugging procedures in mind. Therefore, the user can completely automate software tests by creating a macro script and saving the outcome in a log file. As a result, the user can avoid hours of repeatedly setting up software and firmware tests.

Click through to view a small demonstration of how the built in macro commands can be used to create and perform a repeatable firmware test on a 9S08AW60 processor...

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P&E has updated its ColdFire software products so that they no longer require use of the processor status (PST) pins on the debug connector. These pins are traditionally used to determine if the part is running in user mode or halted in debug mode. The default is still to use the PST pins for status, but this can be optionally disabled in the connection assistant. When disabled, the software will use the BDM communications pins to determine the processor status. This results in a slight slowdown in communication and download rates, but the advantage is that the target board no longer has to wire the PST signals to the debug connectors. This also alleviates some problems in the case where the customer application needs to make use of the alternate functions of the processor status pins instead of using them for debug.

BOSTON, MA - In a continuation of its commitment to making the customer experience as helpful and comprehensive as possible, P&E has launched an enhanced, solutions-oriented website. Customers who come to P&E's website with a project in mind will now find a helpful interface designed to guide them through the process of finding the right tools for the job. This interface includes a reorganized resource page to help customers more quickly find the information they are seeking. The enhanced website also features P&E's News Stream, a blog designed to provide fresh and informative content for users, including news about new product features and tips, expert advice, and answers to frequently asked questions.    

Boston , MA— P&E Microcomputer Systems continues its commitment to programming automation and efficiency by announcing the release of an Automated Control Software Development Kit (SDK) for the Cyclone family of products.

The SDK features a dynamic link library (DLL) and supporting documentation which allow the user to create custom software applications that directly control P&E’s Cyclone PRO and MAX units. It also enables users to control multiple Cyclones with a single PC, modify stored images, manage multiple images, and program non-sequential dynamic data such as serial numbers.

The Cyclone Automated Control SDK is available in Professional and Enterprise versions to suit both small and large production scales. A Basic version with limited features is available for download at no cost.

More information is available on the P&E website on this link.

Boston, MA - P&E Microcomputer Systems announces that it has extended the support of its PowerPC Nexus tools to include Freescale’s new MPC56XX devices. This set of in-circuit debuggers, FLASH programmers, and hardware debug interfaces now supports both MPC55xx and MPC56xx devices, offering a comprehensive solution for Freescale’s advanced automotive microprocessors.