Product Times

Electronics Times, Sept 7, 1998 by Tina Walsh

Realtime debugger to rival in-circuit emulator

Noral Micrologies has developed a background debug mode (BDM) environment offering a 90MHz operation and the largest real-time trace buffer currently available for ColdFire CPUs.

Available for all ColdFire 52xx and 53xx designs, the Flex-BDM/ColdFire system integrates intelligent BDM hardware with the company's Flex real-time debugging software to provide performance levels usually associated in-circuit emulation (ICE). The optional 1Mbyte trace buffer allows users to trace C source code and assembler instructions from the target CPU and incorporates a timestamp for accurate measurement of execution times. The trace buffer also provides the way for designers to monitor the processor's internal bus activity.

The hardware module combines custom logic and a control processor to offer various advanced features including dynamic memory access, multi-level hardware breakpoints and single-step and execution breaks. Because all features are accessed via the standard 26pin BDM connector there is no need for any additional connectors, while the ability to program external flash memory at high speed eliminates requirements for specialist flash programming equipment.

Offering automatic sensing of target voltages between 2.7 and 5.5V, the hardware features a high-speed, bi-directional parallel comms interface which minimises the time take to both download code into target memory and to provide target information to the debugging software on the host PC

Noral Micrologics Enquiry Number 500 Tel: 01254 682092 Fax: 01254 680847

CPU card makes use of UMA memory

Semicom UK's modified Pentium MMX-lead half-size CPU card, the PCA-6154L, uses UMA memory architecture, that allows the system to share memory between active memory and video ram.

Between 1 and 4Mb of main memory can be reserved as video ram through the BIOS set-up. Other features include IR remote control and data transfer capabilities for wireless integration, and two USB ports for fast and easy peripheral expansion.

The device also has a socket supporting DiskOnChip 2000 flash disk for up to 72Mb of flash memory. For applications requiring Fast Ethernet, the PCA-6154 includes 100Base-T Ethernet.

Semicom Tel: 01279 422224 Fax: 01279 433339 Enquiry Number 501

Industrial trackerball complies with IP65

The KFM-38TB Trackerball is manufactured to IP65 specifications.

It has a rugged, ergonomic design, using three high-reliability, tactile switches for the mouse buttons. The under membrane keytop design helps to improve operator control.

The trackerball is supplied in a metal enclosure with 0 ring seals to protect the trackerball from dust and moisture entry.

The PC-compatible TKFM-38TB case has fixing points for bracket mounting. The electromechanical keyswitches have a mechanical life in excess of one million operations.

The trackerball is supplied with IBM AT/PS2 interface, and is designed to meet industrial environmental requirements of temperature, humidity, shock and vibration.

Supply voltage is 5V DC [+ or -] 0.25V and supply current is 50mA (max), with an operating temperature range of 0 to 50 [degrees] C. The membrane overlay is reverse-printed polyester.

P + G Computer Products Tel: 01202 481751 Fax: 01202 499279 Enquiry Number 502

Powerful single board computer

Amplicon Liveline has added the Peak 5020 to its range of industrial computing products. It supports two Pentium processors, P54C/P55C at a frequency of 233MHz.

The board supports the concurrent PCI bus v2.1, has the Award PCI/ISA system bios and complies with the PCIMG PCI/ISA standard. It also supports Error Checking and Correction functionality and has a SMC I/0 chip on board. There is 8Mbytes to 256Mbytes of FPM, EDO or BEDO DRAM and 512Kbytes of pipeline SRAM.

The I/O ports are: PS/2 mouse; two IDE for up to four hard drives; FDD supporting two floppy drives from 720Kbytes to 2.88 Mbytes; and two RS232 serial and one parallel port. The six layer board also has a 1,2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64s time-out internal Watchdog timer.

Amplicon Liveline Tel: 01273 570220 Fax: 01273 570215 Enquiry Number 503

Epoxy simplifies sealing process

Uni-form epoxy performs provide a simple method for sealing or potting electromechanical components. They are one-part epoxy resins that are solid at room temperature.

When heated, they melt and cure, forming a consistent seal that protects components from dust, moisture, oil, flux, industrial cleaning solvents, conformal coatings and other contaminants.

Uni-forms are available in a range of shapes and sizes and materials to accommodate diverse applications, and can be dispensed at rates of 200 to 600ppm.

Multi-Seals Tel: + 1 860 643 7188 Fax: + 1 860 643 5669 Enquiry Number 504

Braided IP68 connecting cables

Lumberg has developed a range of braided connecting cables for automation and general industrial applications where harsh working conditions, high mechanical stress and vibration are found.

A range of locking plug connectors is offered, including straight and right-angle versions and an options of an internal led to show status. The connectors have a compact construction, high chemical resistance and are capable of sustaining very high mechanical and electrical stresses.