CCS News

Introducing the USB Master Prototyping Board! Developers can now add USB Master functionality to an embedded system without the need of detailed knowledge of USB protocol.

The new prototyping board hosts a Vinculum^™ VNC1L chip that allows for a microcontroller to interface with USB devices as the master bus. The on-board PIC18F67J10 device communicates directly with the VNC1L chip through a series of commands. The user can communicate directly with the VNC1L chip through the RS232 port and DOS-like commands control the VNC1L chip or USB peripheral devices.

The board is loaded with a general purpose Vinculum^™ VDAP (Vinculum^™ Disks and Peripherals) firmware. Exercises and examples include: Reading and writing to a Bulk Only Mass Storage (i.e. USB Flash Stick) device, responding to keyboard strokes and interfacing with HID devices such as a printer.

To learn more about the USB Master Development Kit and a listing of provided VNC1L firmware standard with the kit, go to: http://www.ccsinfo.com/USBM

For a limited time, get a FREE USB Flash Drive with your USB Master Development Kit order!

_{Vinculum is a trademark of Future Technology Devices International Ltd.}

Introducing PRIME8 Production Programmer, the latest addition to the CCS family of programmers/debuggers. PRIME8 supports PIC^®MCU devices and has eight In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP™ ) jacks which enable high volume device programming by allowing up to eight targets to be programmed at once or individual targets to be selected.

The flexibility of PRIME8 allows for use of an SD card reader to eliminate the need for a PC at the point of programming. A user can access HEX files on an SD card or store files in the 2MB of internal memory. PRIME8 supports 2.0V to 5V target programming and can supply up to 200mA to each target.

LCD menu and control buttons come standard on PRIME8 for stand-alone use. Additional unique hardware features include verification of program status, enable individual targets, specify a HEX file, read the device ID, and serial numbering. The ID memory allows a user to store checksum or program information that can be read and displayed. This can be used to verify the correct firmware has been loaded to the processor, even if the device is read-protected.

PRIME8 includes the easy-to-use CCS Programmer Control Software that quickly steps the user through the process of loading firmware, configuring target voltage and much more! The software gives the user the ability to program or erase devices efficiently. Three main programming menu buttons allow access to many of the PRIME8 features, such as reading a written program, viewing data memory, reviewing configuration options, and more...

Also be sure to check out Tag-Connect the new production ICSP™ programming cable. Tag-Connect saves on production costs and allows you to eliminate the ICSP™ connector on your products! You can find more information on this NEW money saving tool on the PRIME8 overview web page.

Visit the PRIME8 overview for more information www.ccsinfo.com/newsprime

Introducing the latest hardware addition to the CCS dsPIC^®DSC tool offerings.....the DSP Analog Development Kit. The DSP Analog prototyping board demonstrates the DSP features of the dsPIC33FJ128GP706 on an audio conditioning board. The Texas Instruments TLV320AIC23B Audio Codec allows the user to sample microphone inputs and produce digital signal outputs. The TLV320AIC23B permits sample rates up to 96kHz and the dsPIC^®DSC running at 40 MIPS renders plenty of horse power for user applications.

The board includes an on-board 32K external EEPROM and SD card for expandable memory. External memory allows the user to store audio files and configuration data. Exercise book includes examples for reading/writing to the codec using the DMA peripheral. FAT libraries are included in the CCS C Compiler.

The character LCD included on the prototyping board provides a user interface for quick development.

Prototyping boards starting at only $70. Also available in development kit format or as a hardware only kit for compiler owners. In stock now!

For more information regarding the DSP Analog Development kit please visit www.ccsinfo.com/DSP

The Electronica 2008, international electronics summit will be held this year in Munich Germany at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre. The conference offers a complete view of the electronics industry with exhibitors specializing in everything from power supplies to software for electronics. The conference will run November 11th through November 14th. CCS will have a representative available at the Microchip booth (Area A4, Booth 560) for the duration of the conference.

We hope to see you at the 23rd international electronics trade show!

Microchip Technology Inc. has announced an enhancement to the microcontroller (MCU) architecture in the Mid-range 8-bit Family.  CCS has already been working on the support for the new family.  The PCM command-line and PCW IDE compilers beginning with version 4.100 will have support for the new architecture.

Fundamental compiler enhancements include reduced system functions being in-lined with the 16 level call stack, using the more efficient MOVLP for page switches, built-in functions for enhanced peripherals, automatic translation for old or hard-coded address to use newly assigned SFR registers, and using the two FSRs for a reduction in the number of instructions.  Substantial improvements on Constant String allows for access of ROM in the normal RAM address space, no special handling at the C level for Pointers to ROM to be interchanged with RAM pointers, and no limit on constant data structure size.

In an effort to best support the new architecture, CCS has made all the string functions as Built-Ins, to maximize the optimization.  This has inspired us to also extend some of this optimization to all 14 & 16-bit devices.  Beginning with version 4.100, all string operations will be more flexible (mixing ROM and RAM) and efficient.

Adding even more value to the IDE compilers, CCS is including a new Menu Manager.  This allows for the creation of character LCD or segmented LCD menu systems at the PC.  C code is then generated as an include file for your project.

Advanced debugging support for the new capabilities in these parts will be in the IDE compilers.  The CCS ICDs, MachX, Load-n-Go and PRIME8 programmers will also support the Enhanced Mid-range devices.

For additional information on the Enhanced Mid-rage 8-bit PIC Microcontroller Core, visit microchip.com

You can now use the MPLAB^®ICD 3 with the CCS IDE Compiler (PCW, PCWH, PCDIDE or PCWHD). You can program and debug within the windows environment using a MPLAB^®ICD 3.

Here are a few simple steps to follow when using the CCS IDE Compiler with MPLAB^®ICD 3:

1. Must have version 4.084 or higher of the CCS IDE Compiler


2. Download MPLAB^®ICD 3 interface module from the CCS Downloads Page. This download is free.


3. Have MPLAB^® already installed.


4. The debug environment is built-in to the C Aware Real-Time Debugger, once the hardware is connect to your PC, select the programmer/debugger you would like to use from the "Debug Configure" option on the IDE menu tab. All CCS Command-Line Compilers (PCB, PCM, PCH and PCD) can also be integrated with MPLAB^®ICD 3.

If you have questions or concerns regarding integration please contact sales.

We would like to wish you Happy Holidays! A reminder to our customers and vendors that we will be closed December 24th-28th and December 31-January1st. During this time orders will not be processed, so please plan accordingly. Technical Support emails may have delay in prompt/immediate responses. Phone support will not be available- please email. We would like to thank you for your business and we look forward to an exciting new year!