Simulating embedded hardware in a Windows environment can significantly reduce development time. In this article, Michael Melkonian provides techniques for the software-only simulation of embedded hardware. He presents a simple example of an RTOS-less embedded system that uses memory-mapped I/O to access a UART-like peripheral to serially poll a slave device. The simulator is capable of detecting bugs and troublesome design flaws.
Melkonian writes:
Figure 1: There is a parallel between the embedded target and host environment. Equivalent entities are shown on the same level.
In this article, I will describe techniques for the software-only simulation of embedded hardware in the Windows/PC environment. Software-only simulation implies an arrangement with which the embedded application, or parts of it, can be compiled and run on the Windows platform (host) talking to the software simulator as opposed to the real hardware. This arrangement doesn't require any hardware or tools other than a native Windows development toolset such as Microsoft Developer Studio/Visual C++. Importantly, the same source code is compiled and linked for both the host and the target. It's possible and often necessary to simulate more complex aspects of the embedded target such as interrupts and the RTOS layer. However, I will illustrate the basics of simulating hardware in the Windows environment with an example of an extremely simple hypothetical target system (see Figure 1). Continue Reading & Download
Intersil Corp. recently announced the industry's first 80-A fully encapsulated digital DC/DC PMBus power module that provides point-of-load (POL) conversions for advanced FPGAs, DSPs, ASICs, processors, and memory. The ISL8273M is a complete step-down regulated power supply that delivers up ... Continue reading →...»
Microchip Technology has launched a new series of its high-performance PIC32MZ family of 32-bit microcontrollers that features an integrated hardware floating point unit (FPU) for high performance and lower latency in intensive single and double-precision math applications. This new 48-member PIC32MZ ... Continue reading →...»
BittWare recently announced two new boards in its Altera Arria 10 FPGA product roadmap to complement their existing Arria 10 3U VPX and PCIe offerings: A10PED and A10XM4. The A10PED Dual Arria 10 PCIe full-length Gen3 x16 Card supporting either the 660 ... Continue reading →...»
Imperas recently released of the second generation of the Open Virtual Platforms (OVP) APIs for building virtual platforms, additional Fast Processor Models, new models for popular peripherals, and new Extendable Platform Kits (EPKs). Open Virtual Platforms is a website for ... Continue reading →...»
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING CHALLENGE - September Sponsored by Netburner
Ready for an Electrical Engineering Challenge? This is your chance to put your technical skills to test. The September Electrical Engineering Challenge (sponsored by NetBurner) is now live.
THE CHALLENGE Find the error in the code below. Submit your answer via the online submission form by the deadline of September 20, 2015 (2 PM EST).
Find the error in this code. Click the image to submit your answer via the online submission form by September 20, 2015.
PRIZES Circuit Cellar will randomly select 2 prize winners from the pool of respondents who submit the correct answer. One person will receive a NetBurner MOD54415 LC Development Kit ($129 value). A second will receive a Circuit Cellar Digital Subscription (1 year).
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