Hardware Tools

Tools for Embedded Developers

DSP kit

The Imaging Developer's Kit is a development environment for prototyping imaging and video systems based on the TMS320C6000 platform. In addition to a 150MHz TMS320C6000 DSP board, the kit includes a snap-on daughter board for video input/output, an NTSC/PAL-compatible video camera, video and imaging application demonstration programs, application software utilities and example programs, Code Composer Studio integrated development environment, and a range of software modules from a network of DSP third party developers. The TMS320-C6000 DSP Imaging Developer's Kit is available now for $4,500.

Texas Instruments
Dallas, TX
(800) 336-5236
www.ti.com

Bluetooth protocol analyzer

The BPA100 protocol analyzer features capabilities for hardware/software integration and design debugging. These include packet data error generation, data decryption, real-time protocol decoding and display, and triggering. It can both join and monitor a piconet. When participating, the BPA100 can generate traffic, or inject intentional errors into the piconet to test other connected devices' ability to stay reliably connected under difficult conditions. When not participating, it captures and analyzes data non-intrusively. The BPA100 captures all baseband packets transmitted and displays their payload, status information such as access errors, and estimated clock and hop frequency. In free run display mode, the instrument display updates continuously as new packets are received, allowing the user to observe changes and track messaging in higher protocols. Connection between the protocol analyzer hardware and the monitoring software on the host software is achieved by means of USB. Data storage is limited to the size of the user's disk drive. The BPA100 is available now for $24,950.

Tektronix 
Beaverton, OR
(800) 833-9200
www.tektronix.com

Analyzer/exerciser

The TA700 analyzer/exerciser is designed for PCI-X- and PCI-based systems. It's a single board that combines an FPGA-based hardware design and a graphical user interface. It can analyze the PCI-X and PCI buses at speeds of up to 100MHz. It can also exercise them at 66MHz and act as a linked analyzer/exerciser, generating, analyzing, and recording data traffic on the bus. It can also act as a 720MHz timing analyzer, and provides 533MBps of real-time, continuous performance analysis. In addition, the system provides a number of data capture and post-processing capabilities. The TA700 features various modular capabilities that can be added through software, which allows users to match system capabilities to process requirements and add other capabilities as needed. It's available now for $9,800.

Catalyst Enterprises
San Jose, CA
(408) 268-4145
www.catalyst-ent.com

TriCore debug tools

To help developers familiarize themselves with CAN technology, the CAN Starter Kit allows a simple CAN network to be put into operation almost immediately. It comes with a PC card as a processing unit, a small I/O module, all necessary CAN cables, a main adapter for the I/O module, and software. The PC card is based on a Motorola 68332 controller running at 20MHz. The I/O module operates either as an actuator or a sensor. It consists of an analog output that varies the brightness of an LED, a potentiometer that is connected to the analog input, four LEDs, and four DIP switches. The software package consists of a sample application for 32-bit Windows, device drivers for different operating systems, a DOS driver that is also supplied in source code as a basis for adaptation to other operating systems, and a CAN monitor.

Hitex Development Tools
Irvine, CA
(800)-45HITEX
www.hitex.com

PCI-X analysis tools

The FS2007 PCI-X bus passive analysis probe/extender and the FS2105 PCI-X bus active analysis probe are designed to work in conjunction with Agilent Technologies' logic analyzers. They make digital measurements of PCI-X systems, enabling engineers to observe PCI bus activity, measure setup and hold variations, characterize software, verify compliance, and measure performance specifications at a maximum bus speed of 133MHz. In addition, the FS2105 detects 50 protocol violation errors and alerts the logic analyzer. They're available now. The FS2007 costs $4,000 and the FS2105 costs $7,900.

Future Plus Systems
Colorado Springs, CO
(719) 278-3540
www.futureplus.com

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