Skip to main content

Software Development tools required for microcontroller based projects

Software development tools include include text editors, cross assemblers, cross compilers, simulators, source level debuggers, and integrated development environment (IDE) used to develop the program that can be burnt into microcontroller to perform a specific task. The developer developing project using microcontroller, has to employ software tools according to the need and requirements. Every software development tool plays a specific role and used when developers know the full functionality of using them. Here, i would like to discuss the software that one developer can employ in his work field.

List of software development tools:

1. Text Editors:
The text editor is a program that allows us to enter and edit programs and text files. Editors range from very primitive to very sophisticated. A simple editor like the Notepad bundled with Windows 98/2000/XP provides simple editing functions in four different categories: file, edit, search, and option. It usually employed for assembly language programs and for lower level languages as they don't involve any compiler as used in IDE. A programmer's editor provides additional features, such as automatic keyword completion, keyword highlighting, syntax checking, and parentheses matching. These functions can speed up the user's program entry speed dramatically.
2. Simulators:
A simulator allows us to run a microcontroller program without having the actual hardware. The contents of registers, internal memory, external memory, and the program source code are displayed in separate windows. The user can set breakpoints to the program and examine the program execution results. The simulator allows the user to step through the program to locate program bugs. The best simulators example are Keil µvision software and MPLAB IDE.
3. Source-level Debugger:
A source-level debugger is a program that runs on a PC and allows you to find problems in your code at the high level (such as C) or assembly language level. A source level debugger allows you to set breakpoints at statements either at the high or assembly language level. It can execute the program from the start of the program until the breakpoint and then display the values of program variables. A source-level debugger can also trace your program statement by statement. A source-level debugger may have the option to run your program on the demo board or simulator. Like a simulator, a source-level debugger can display the contents of program variables, registers, memory locations, and program code in separate windows. With a source-level debugger, all debugging activities are done at the source level.
4. Cross Compilers:
Cross compilers generate the executable code that can be placed in ROM, EPROM, EEPROM or a flash memory of the microcontrollers. There are several vendors that provide different cross compilers according to the microcontroller manufacturers.
5. Integrated Development Environment(IDE):
Nowadays, single IDE fulfill all the requirements of developers in single software. That's why it is called "Integrated" development environment. An integrated development environment !IDE) includes everything that you need to enter, assemble, compile, link, and debug your application program. Actually, It is a combination of cross assemblers and cross compilers, simulators, and source-level debuggers. The best example of IDE are Keil µvision for different range of microcontrollers like Intel, Atmel etc. and MPLAB IDE for PIC microcontrollers.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Buzzer interface with 8051 microcontroller

Buzzer  is a electronic device that converts the electronic signal into buzzing noise, that is applied to it. It can be used as electronic bell or as quiz buzzer in many applications around us. Here, i world like to discuss the interfacing of a small buzzer with 8051 microcontroller and how different projects can be constructed. Buzzer Interfacing: This project shows the interface with AT89S52 microcontroller to a buzzer. When a push button is pressed, the buzzer will get ON and OFF ( number of times set in the code ) and then stops. Circuit Diagram: - The port P1 of the microcontroller is connected to buzzer. This type of connection is possible, if the current requirements of the buzzer is not more than 20mA. The output is in current source mode so that buzzer will turn ON when the output of the port is logic LOW. Switch is connected to port P3 which remains at logic HIGH by pull up resistor.  Code: #include "REG52.h" #define buz P1 sbit SW=P3^0; long i...
14 comments
Read more

Different ways to generate delays in 8051

The delay length in 8051 microcontroller depends on three factors: The crystal frequency the number of clock per machine the C compiler. The original 8051 used 1/12 of the crystal oscillator frequency as one machine cycle. In other words, each machine cycle is equal to 12 clocks period of the crystal frequency connected to X1-X2 pins of 8051. To speed up the 8051, many recent versions of the 8051 have reduced the number of clocks per machine cycle from 12 to four, or even one. The frequency for the timer is always 1/12th the frequency of the crystal attached to the 8051, regardless of the 8051 version. In other words, AT89C51, DS5000, and DS89C4x0 the duration of the time to execute an instruction varies, but they all use 1/12th of the crystal's oscillator frequency for the clock source. 8051 has two different ways to generate time delay using C programming, regardless of 8051 version. The first method is simply using Loop   program function in which Delay() funct...
5 comments
Read more

How to Switch OFF Citizen Calculator

You might be confused on seeing no OFF button on your calculator. Actually, these are general calculator available at low cost in the market. They process simple calculations like division, subtraction, Addition, Multiplication. But, how will you OFF that calculator having no option on them. There is always a trick which OFF them. It depends on the company calculator and their series to which they belong. I can tell you about Citizen Calculator CT-500 (as you can see in the image), how can you switch OFF it and can save battery too. If you leave calculator idle for 6-7 minutes, it will goes OFF automatically. My calculator goes OFF in 6.50 minutes from the point of leaving it idle. But, this is not the power saving trick for these types of calculator having not much backup battery. To save the power of your normal calculator, here is the trick to switch OFF it. Press ' /(divide sign)', 'x(multiply sign)', '%(percentage sign)', 'autoreplay option(...
13 comments
Read more