Development Platform for Power Architecture

The Development Platform consists of the following basic elements:

• a GNU-based C/C++ compiler toolchain from HighTec with professional maintenance and services
• the integrated development environment Eclipse, and
• the Universal Debug Engine.

The Power Architecture Development Platform is a well integrated joint product of HighTec and PLS Development Tools. The platform can be extended by the PXROS-HR real-time operating system with integrated MPU management.

Main Features

The compiler and the debugger of the Power Architecture Development Platform UAD2 support the embedded PowerArchitecture® families MPC 551 x, MPC553x, MPC555x, MPC556x, MPC560x, MPC563x, MPC564x, MPC567x from Freescale, SPC560, SPC563, SPC564, SPC56EL from STMicroelectronics.

Eclipse IDE

• Project management
• Setup wizards
• Version control

The Eclipse-based 'Power Architecture Development Platform' allows the simple definition of projects. After having selected a particular microcontroller derivative, the generation of a project with a correct startup code, the necessary hardware initialization, a valid memory layout, and the corresponding header file for the names and bit fields of the peripheral register can be prompted virtually at the push of a button. The project contains a simple main function, which allows the implementation to be started immediately.

GNU C/C++ compiler

• VLE support
• SPE support
• Using optimised addressing modes
• Additional floating point software emulation
• Professional long-term maintenance and services

UDE Support

For debugging and testing the applications, the Development Platform includes a direct connection to the PLS Universal Debug Engine (UDE). The UDE can be started with all necessary settings directly from the IDE, thus hugely simplifying program function tests on the target hardware. Of course, the UDE also allows testing of PXROS-HR applications with memory protection.

• Target access via JTAG
• Supports Nexus and on-chip trace
• FLASH programming
• Real time data monitoring and graphical view
• Execution Time measurement
• Instruction Pointer Profiling
• Simulated I/O

PXROS-HR with Memory Protection

The PXROS-HR realtime operating system with integrated MPU management is an optional component of the Development Platform. Modern micro-controllers, such as ARM-Cortex-M3, TriCore and Power Architecture, include a Memory Protection Unit, which guarantees safe integration of functionalities consisting of different software components. With these features PXROS-HR is ideally suited for safety-critical applications and rugged industrial solutions.

Furthermore, a library, especially developed for the PXROS debug monitor PXmon, allows the Universal Debug Engine to use the JTAG debug channel as fast communication vehicle for the exchange of data with running PXROS-HR applications. System conditions, such as the stack consumption of individual tasks, the process sequence of tasks, the processor workload due to individual application parts as well as the workload of resources are graphically displayed. The user is thus provided with an effective tool for testing PXROS-HR based programs and optimising the performance parameters of the application.

Trademarks: Eclipse ist a trademark of the Eclipse Foundation. Power Architecture is a trademark of Power.org. PowerPC is a trademark of IBM Corporation. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.