Development Boards And Free Software Tools For Microcontroller Projects

The landscape of electronics development has evolved significantly with the availability of various development boards and free software tools. This article examines the resources available to developers, focusing on hardware platforms and software tools that facilitate microcontroller development across different applications.

Free Software Development Tools

Several free software tools are available for microcontroller development, providing accessible options for hobbyists and professionals alike.

8051 Development Tools

The Paul's 8051 Tools page offers a suite of free development utilities for 8051-based projects. These tools include:

• AS31 Assembler: A free 8051 assembler originally written by Ken Stauffer, with versions available here including important bug fixes and added features such as standard intel-hex output format for use with PAULMON2 and EPROM programmers. AS31 is particularly suitable for building small 8051-based projects written entirely in 8051 assembly language.

• SDCC C Compiler: A free C compiler developed by Sandeep Dutta, Micheal Hope, Alan Baldwin, John Hartman, and others. The version available through this site, modified with "-pj#" added to the version number, includes additions specifically designed to better support the 8051 development boards available at the site.

• GNU Make: Part of the Free Software Foundation's GNU's Not Unix project, written by Richard Stallman and Roland McGrath.

These tools are distributed under specific open-source licenses: SDCC and GNU Make are provided under the GNU General Public License (GPL), while AS31 is available under the BSD license. The standard C libraries provided with SDCC are covered by the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL).

PAULMON 8051 Family Monitor/Debugger

Complementing these tools is PAULMON, a user-friendly 8051 family monitor designed for use in single-board computers. By placing PAULMON in a board's EPROM, the board will "boot-up" to a menu-driven monitor that allows users to download programs to RAM and run them, which is faster and easier than reprogramming the EPROM. PAULMON also provides debugging features including a disassembler and single-step program execution.

PAULMON is in the public domain, meaning users can incorporate pieces of the code into their own programs, including commercial products. The source code or object code for PAULMON2 can be downloaded from the website.

STM32 Development Boards

For developers working with STM32 microcontrollers, a comprehensive repository is available containing schematic designs, PCB files, and C++ source code templates. This resource provides small, universal, and breadboard-friendly adapters and development boards for a wide range of STM32 controllers.

STM32F4 Development Board

The repository includes a two-layer STM32F4 board with a Raspberry Pi B+ form factor, which allows the use of any case designed for this single-board computer. Key features of this board include:

• Based on the STM32F405RG, a high-performance ARM Cortex-M4 32-bit RISC microcontroller
• SMD HSE and LSE crystals
• Micro SD Card Connector
• Mini USB Type B Connector with USB EMI filtering and ESD protection, usable for both data transfer and powering
• A separate +5V DC connector (1 mm X 3.2 mm) replacing the Raspberry Pi audio jack
• 6-pin SWD connector for programming the MCU
• ESP8266 WiFi Module ESP-11 instead of the Raspberry Pi network connector
• 5-pin connector for flashing and programming the ESP-11 module
• Breadboard-compatible 1x20-pin and 1x10-pin headers connected to free MCU pins
• Reset button
• One RGB LED
• Low power audio DAC with PLL UDA1334ATS
• 2x class-D mono audio power amplifier IS31AP2005 (2 x 2.95W)
• 4 pads for audio output instead of Raspberry Pi USB connector
• SMD size for passive components is 0805

The repository also includes C++ examples demonstrating how to use the RTC, SD Card with FatFS, and ESP-11 module. These boards can be ordered from DirtyPCBs.com.

Breadboard-Friendly Adapters

The repository also offers development boards designed as breadboard adapters:

1. Two-side breadboard adapters for LQFP32/48/64 IC's, equipped with:

   • Adaptable power supply circuit
   • HSE and LSE crystal circuit
   • Reset button
   • Custom 10-pin JTAG connector
   • SMD size for passive components is 0805

2. One-side breadboard adapters for LQFP32/48/64 IC's

The repository includes additional resources such as: - Schematic and board layout developed in Eagle CAD - Photos of assembled boards - Test examples developed in System Workbench for STM32 based on HAL library and an object-oriented abstraction layer called StmPlusPlus - These programs have been tested with various STM32 chips including STM32F303K8Tx, STM32F303RBTx, STM32F373CBTx, STM32373CCTx, STM32F410RBTx, and STM32F405RGTx

NXP Development Boards and Solutions

NXP offers an extensive library of evaluation and development boards along with reference designs for various applications. These boards support different NXP product categories and form factors.

Motor Control Applications

For motor control applications, NXP provides: - The S32K396 LV Motor Control Kit (MCSPTR2AK396): A highly advanced, integrated solution for motor control applications. - The RD33774CNC3EVB featuring the MC33774: A reference CMU (Control Module Unit) for development purposes.

Industrial and Automotive Applications

For general-purpose industrial and automotive applications: - The S32K388EVB-Q289 is an evaluation and development board specifically designed for these purposes.

Analog Mixed-Signal and Power Solutions

NXP offers evaluation boards and reference designs supporting analog mixed-signal and power solutions, providing platforms for quick start prototyping with various automotive ultra-reliable microcontrollers and processors.

Rapid Prototyping Platforms

Several small, low-cost, evaluation platforms are available for application prototyping, particularly for motor control applications and rapid prototyping needs.

i.MX Applications Processors

For real-time, low-power and safety-critical solutions, NXP provides i.MX applications processors.

Sensor Evaluation Boards

A wide spectrum of sensor evaluation boards is available, including demonstration kits, shield development boards, and breakout boards for supported IoT sensors.

TEA2226AT Programming Board and Development Samples

NXP also offers the TEA2226AT Programming Board and Development Samples, which normally ships within 1-2 business days. This board is accompanied by design files including:

• TEA20xx_ SOCKET_DB1586 Schematics
• TEA20xx_ SOCKET_DB1586 PCB Design

The board can be ordered through various distributors. When selecting a preferred distributor, users are directed to the distributor's website to place and service their order. It should be noted that distributors are independent businesses and set their own prices, terms, and conditions of sale, with NXP making no representations or warranties about these distributors or the terms of sale.

Open Source Hardware Platforms

Beyond the commercial offerings, several open-source hardware platforms are available for developers:

Micropendous Boards

These were development boards for Atmel's USB AVR Microcontrollers, designed with a Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) hardware, firmware, and software development platform. They were specifically designed for USB peripheral and hosting development.

Opsis

Created in collaboration between Numato Lab and TimVideos.us, Opsis is a powerful FPGA-based open source video platform designed for videographers and visual artists. It provides complete control over high-speed video, enabling applications ranging from real-time conference capturing solutions to experimental visual art and general FPGA-based video research. The Opsis is specifically designed to work with the HDMI2USB.tv video capturing firmware, which allows for "fool-proof" video recording from any computer.

Conclusion

The development landscape offers a diverse range of options for microcontroller development, from free software tools to various hardware platforms. While the sources primarily describe tools and boards that can be purchased rather than free samples, they do provide valuable information about open-source hardware designs and free software development tools. The availability of free tools like AS31, SDCC, GNU Make, and PAULMON significantly lowers the barrier to entry for microcontroller development, while the variety of development boards available allows for prototyping across different applications and use cases.

Sources

1. Paul's 8051 Tools, Projects and Free Code
2. STM32 Development Boards Repository
3. NXP Development Boards and Designs
4. KiCad Made with KiCad - Development Boards
5. TEA2226AT Programming Board and Development Samples