Resources for a beginner?

[admin]

I've been thrown into the fire to work with a coldfire mcf52235 with CAN bus and SPI communications.. I've programmed simple uControllers previously such as PIC16f628's etc...

Can anyone recomend good resources for a beginner such as myself for working with the ColdFire.. prefereably something with Code Examples in C.. either online or in print..

Thanks

[mjbcswitzerland]

Sorry - I forgot to mention. If you are specifically interested in CAN then there is a users' guide at

http://www.mjbc.ch/documents/uTasker/uTaskerCAN.PDF

Then a few other special guides

- adding an external file system in SPI EEPROM (using QSPI) at http://www.mjbc.ch/documents/uTasker/uTaskerSPI_EEPROM.PDF

- operating system basics at http://www.mjbc.ch/documents/uTasker/uTaskerV1.2.PDF

The project is delivered with various other documents, including specific help on the chips supported.

There is a also an on-line demo at http://212.254.22.36 which can be viewed via web cam at http://212.254.22.36:8080 showing various features: get the board to send you an email, upload a graphic file to it, control the LEDs on the board, etc.. This is all in the delivered package and can be completely simulated, so can be run and tested by anyone even if they have no hardware (yet).

Have fun, regards

Mark

[mjbcswitzerland]

Hi spiralprophet

Look at the uTasker project. It supports the M52235 - with operating system, TCP/IP stack, CAN etc. It has a real-time chip simulator so you can step through the 'live' code, look at registers, set break points in interrupt routines etc. It is used by several schools and universities for such work since it doesn't require any hardware to develop, run and test code, even connected to a network (other network users can communicate with the simulated M52235 on the test PC). Complete projects have been developed and tested in the environment before final validation on real hardware and it is perfect for learning either the chip or TCP/IP stuff. It also allows simulation of CAN by using the demo board as a LAN to CAN bridge.

It runs'out-of-the-box' on the M5223X Demo and Eval boards and has a CW6.3 project.

You can try code directly on your boards from http://www.utasker.com/software/software.html with a tutorial at http://www.utasker.com/docs/documentation.html

The project, including full code and the simulator is free for non-commercial use and is fully email supported - hardware and software issues. Apply on the uTasker web site for either a free educational or a 30 day evaluation license.

Regards

Mark Butcher

www.mjbc.ch / www.uTasker.com

Message Edited by mjbcswitzerland on 2006-11-0901:42 PM

[J2MEJediMaster]

You can download the Codewarrior Special Edition from this web site. I don't know if you intend to use the tools or not, but the Codewarrior installation does have some sample program examples written in assembly and C.

---Tom

[admin]

I have the special edition.. i've gone thru the sample stuff in it.. and i have a custom eval board from a supplier..  I'm looking for a more generic Walk through of the processor.. or explanations of what the coldfire stationary that codewarrior is using for what calls etc..  i've been sifting through the header files etc.. but i'm not getting very far..  I was just wondering if there were any books or more laymans reference documents geared towards programing coldfire architecture using the codewarrior IDE.. i've gone thru the codewarrior help and pdfs and i understand the IDE and i can send complied code to the development board.. I've even done a binary counter on with the LED's on the board in the TD port..

[timmer]

I know it isn't the exact processor you're looking for, but NetBurner has a full toolset, RTOS, and hardware for the MCF5213. This is a full up development seat, no limit in code size or time. It includes example applications and full tech support. The entire package including the development board and production ready hardware is only $99. It's a great place to start becuase the tools are built, easy to use, and examples are included that show low level peripheral interaction. Take a look at the web pages below; one is the 5213 hardware, one is for the supporting kit, and the last one is a link to an IDE description (Look in the upper right hand corner for a demo video so you can see the tools in action).

NetBurner also has kits for the MCF5270/5272/5282/5234. If you are looking for a platform that isn't on the list, call. Many more platforms are available that are not available as standard products.

IDE Overview:
http://www.netburner.com/embedded_eclipse.html

5213 Description Page:
http://www.netburner.com/products/core_modules/mod5213.html

Development kit Description Page:
http://www.netburner.com/products/development_kits/embedded_development.html

Tim
www.netburner.com