The CrossBow Future-Blox Board platform overcomes every hardware and software challenge of 8- to 32-bit migration, giving you immediate freedom to swap between MCUs throughout the evaluation process.
Design engineers need only to swap plug-in mini-boards to trial different MCUs.
Plug-ins are available supporting Freescale’s Flexis™ range of MCUs, these include the new JM family of USB-enabled MCUs. Software written for the 8-bit MC9S08JM can run on the 32-bit MCF51JM. Using the CrossBow Future-Blox Board development platform allows the busy design engineer to trial a prototype system using the 8-bit MCU, then compare for real results against a 32-bit alternative simply by swapping plug-ins.
And because the CrossBow Future-Blox Board adopts the Future-Blox stackable board format, design engineers need only swap plug-in mini-boards to trial different MCUs.
Supported JM-family MCUs now 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 ADC.
• The low-cost, high-performance MC9S08JM60 8-bit MCU, 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. Code can be written for both controllers using a special edition of the CodeWarrior™ Development Studio supplied free with each CrossBow Future-Blox Board.
CrossBow Future-Blox Boards feature an on-chip emulation system supporting all controllers in the Flexis range.
CROSSBOW FEATURES:
• CrossBow Future-Blox with 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
Future-Blox boards are available free to members of Future Electronics’ Board Club. Design engineers can apply to receive a Future-Blox development platform and join the Board Club by registering for membership here.