Use the CrossBow development platform to try Freescale's 8- to 32-bit migration path

The CrossBow Future-Blox board platform eases the process of evaluating and developing applications to run on Freescale's 'Flexis' range of microcontrollers – devices that are designed specifically to enable migration between 8- and 32-bit processor cores.

Comparing the performance and capabilities of different Freescale microcontrollers is as simple as swapping plug-in daughterboards on the CrossBow baseboard. Freescale has designed its Flexis devices to be highly compatible, at the hardware (pinout) and software level. For instance, software written for the 8-bit MC9S08JM can run on the 32-bit MCF51JM.

Microcontrollers supported by CrossBow include:
• The 32-bit MCF51JM128 device with up to 128kB of Flash memory, a Full Speed USB 2.0 controller with On-The-Go (OTG) support, an integrated CAN 2.0 module and a 12-channel, 12-bit analogue-to-digital converter.
• The low-cost, high-performance MC9S08JM60 8-bit microcontroller, featuring a USB 2.0 device controller and up to 60kB of Flash memory.

The CrossBow Future-Blox Board supports an array of peripherals and communications interfaces, addressing all the mainstream requirements of industrial and consumer MCU users. A special edition of the CodeWarrior™ Development Studio is supplied with each CrossBow system.

Key features of the CrossBow platform include:
• 120-pin Future-Blox connector interface
• RS232, RS485 and CAN ports
• USB 2.0 port (for programming, debug and power supply)
• Auxiliary power supply input (+16V to +24V DC)
• Current monitor circuit to measure microcontroller current directly (on oscilloscope or multimeter)
• Ports for ZigBee™, Bluetooth™ and WiLAN modules
• 50-pin port for custom LCD interface
• 16-pin port for alphanumeric LCD

View the CrossBow Mini-Blox daughterboards