Arm®-based microcontrollers (MCUs) - Design & development
Safety microcontrollers are designed for safety-critical applications, providing advanced, integrated safety features while delivering scalable performance, connectivity and memory options.
Hardware
LaunchPad™ Development Kits & HDKs
Evaluation and starter kits, full development kits and application-specific reference designs. From the low-cost LaunchPad™ Development Kit to full featured application platforms for motor control and functional safety, Hercules™ MCUs provide a variety of hardware development tools to help speed development and get customers to market faster.
| Devices | Low cost LaunchPad™ Development Kit | HDK – full feature hardware development kits |
|---|---|---|
| RM42x | LAUNCHXL-RM42 | |
| RM44x/46x | LAUNCHXL2-RM46 | TMDXRM46HDK |
| RM48X | LAUNCHXL2-RM46 | TMDSRM48HDK |
| RM57X | LAUNCHXL2-RM57L | TMDXRM57LHDK |
| TMS570LS02x/03x/04x | LAUNCHXL-TMS57004 | |
| TMS570LS07x/09x/11x/12x | LAUNCHXL2-TMS57012 | TMDS570LS12HDK |
| TMS570LS21x/31x | LAUNCHXL2-TMS57012 | TMDS570LS31HDK |
| TMS570LC43x | LAUNCHXL2-570LC43 | TMDX570LC43HDK |
| TM4C123x | EK-TM4C123GXL | |
| TM4C129x | EK-TM4C1294XL | DK-TM4C129X |
Emulators
TI offers a wide selection of debug probes that enable software development on TI embedded processors. TI’s debug probes are designed to meet different needs in terms of functionality and budget. Each probe is compatible with Code Composer Studio™ Desktop IDE.
| Devices | Description |
|---|---|
| XDS100v2 | Low cost, low performance emulator – integrated on Hercules™ TMS570 MCU Development Kits. With Code |
| XDS110 | The XDS110 replaces the XDS100 family while supporting a wider variety of standards (IEEE1149.1, IEEE1149.7, SWD) in |
| XDS200 | The XDS200 is a JTAG emulator for TI embedded processors. Offering a balance of cost and performance, it fits between the ultra-low-cost XDS100 and the high-performance XDS560v2 products. |
| The XDS560v2 is the highest performance of the XDS family of debug probes and supports both the traditional JTAG |
Trace Tools
The XDS560v2 PRO TRACE Receiver supports the same features as the XDS560v2 System Trace family and adds support for core pin trace (instruction and data) in its large external memory buffer. The PRO TRACE Receiver requires Code Composer Studio™ software. Learn more about debug and trace tools by reading SPNA202.
XDS560v2 PRO TRACE Receiver supports these Hercules devices:
- RM48x
- RM57x
- TMS570LS31x
- TMS570LC43x
Development tools
HALCoGen
Hercules MCU peripheral drivers are configured and created using TI HALCoGen (Hardware Abstraction Layer Code Generation) GUI-based chip configuration tool. HALCoGen provides a graphical user interface that allows the user to configure peripherals, interrupts, clocks, and many other microcontroller parameters. Once the device is configured, the user can generate peripheral initialization and driver code, which can be imported into Code Composer Studio IDE, IAR Workbench, or Green Hills MULTI IDE. HALCoGen also includes several example projects for using many of the key peripherals.
TivaWare™ software
All TM4C MCUs are supported by the TivaWare™ for C series software development kit which allows customers to get started quickly, leverage royalty-free and tested software to accelerate development, and lower overall software costs and time to market. The software kit provides libraries for each device peripheral with TI-developed, tested, and maintained API's. A variety of examples are offered leveraging TI development kits to offer a starting point for project development and an introduction on how to utilize TivaWare API’s for device peripherals.
HALCoGen
HALCoGen allows users to generate hardware abstraction layer device drivers for Hercules™ microcontrollers
HALCoGen CSP
The HALCoGen Compliance Support Package (CSP) was developed to provide the necessary documentation, reports and unit test capability to assist customers using HALCoGen generated software to comply with functional safety standards
TivaWare™ software for C series
The TI developed TivaWare SDK accelerates design and development with royalty-free and tested APIs provided for all MCU peripherals. TM4C LaunchPad development kits further speed development with dozens of application examples included with TivaWare.
Diagnostic Library
The Hercules SafeTI™ Diagnostic Library is a collection of software functions and response handlers for various safety features of the Hercules Safety MCUs.
Diagnostic Library CSP
The Hercules SafeTI™ Diagnostic Library Compliance Support Package (CSP) was developed to provide the necessary documentation and reports to assist customers using the SafeTI Hercules Diagnostic Library to comply with functional safety standards.
Compiler Qualification Kit
The SafeTI™ Compiler QualificationKit was developed to assist customers in qualifying their use of the TI ARM or C2000/CLA C/C++ Compiler to functional safety standards such as IEC 61508 and ISO 26262.
Code Composer Studio (CCStudio)
An eclipse-based IDE developed and supported by TI for TI embedded processor families. CC Studio software comprises a suite of tools used to develop and debug embedded applications.
Other development tools
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| HET IDE | The High End Timer Integrated Development Environment (HET IDE) is a windows application that can be used to configure and simulate the High End Timer Co-processors on Hercules MCUs. |
| NHET Assembler | The NHET Assembler translates programs written in the NHET assembly language into multiple output formats for use in code generation tools such as TI's Code Composer Studio IDE. |
| NOWECC | The nowECC tool generates the data to be programmed into the ECC memory locations of a Hercules Safety MCU device. |
| F021 Flash API | The F021 Flash Application Programming Interface (API) provides a software library of functions to program, erase, and verify the Hercules MCU on-chip Flash memory. |
Programming and debugging tools
Flash programming tools
TI and multiple third parties offer several hardware and software solutions for performing both in-system and off board programming Hercules devices. Number of devices that can be programmed concurrently (parallelism) varies from 1 to 1000s.
In-system programming is a method to program the Hercules device after it has been installed on the PCB. In this case only one device can be programmed at a time, parallelism is 1.
Off board programming is a method to program the Hercules device before it has been installed on the PCB. This is typically performed on multiple devices at the same time, allowing for a high volume throughput, parallelism is greater than 1.
The table below shows the different TI and third party options available for production programming. For additional information, use the corresponding links.
|
Programming tool/ provider |
Description | Tool/service type |
Capacity (throughput) |
Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware | Software | Services | ||||
| CCS | CCS has an inbuilt on-chip Flash programmer GUI to program the flash memory on TI MCUs during development. | Units in parallel:1 | Global | |||
| UniFlash | UniFlash is a JTAG based standalone tool used to program flash memory on TI MCUs. | Units in parallel:1 | Global | |||
| Dediprog Technology | StarProg-U is a palm-sized universal programmer which supports a variety of integrated circuits. StarProg-U provides command line interface for user software development. | Volume throughput: < 1000 | Global | |||
| Acroview | AP8000 is designed with the most advanced programming technology. The highest programming speed and the precise pin driver circuit make the highest production throughput in high quality possible. | Volume throughput: < 1000 | Global | |||
| BP Microsystems Programming | BPM Microsystems provides a complete ecosystem of manual and automated universal programming solution: low to medium to high volume solutions. | Volume throughput: > 1000 | Global | |||
| Data I/O | Data I/O provides complete device programming solutions to customers worldwide. The company offers a full line of single site device programmers & universal, | Volume throughput: > 1000 | Global | |||
| Action | Europe-based programming service provider with programming and tape & reel services offerings. | Global | ||||
| EPS | World-wide programming service provider with programming and tape & reel service offerings. | Global | ||||
| LMFlash Programmer | Standalone tool used to program flash memory on TM4C12x MCUs only. Used for development and boot loading. | Units in parallel:1 | Global | |||
Note: TI does not directly support the third parties listed above. Any and all engagements or support should be conducted with the party listed directly.
Local distributors also typically offer programming services when buying Hercules MCU devices. Please contact your local distributor for more information.
Third party solutions
Integrated Development Enviornments (IDE)
| Name | Description | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| MULTI IDE | MULTI IDE with emulation, debug, flash programming and C/C++ compiler support including MISRA-C Checking. Green Hills has received certificates from both TÜV NORD and exida, to satisfy both SIL 4 (Safety Integrity Level) and ASIL D (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) tool qualification requirements. | Green Hills |
| IAR Embedded Workbench® for Arm | IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM is a complete development tool suite including a highly-optimizing compiler and a comprehensive debugger. IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM is certified by TÜV SÜD as suitable for use in safety-related software development for each Safety Integrity Level (SIL) according to IEC 61508 and each Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) of ISO 26262. | IAR Systems |
| TRACE32 PowerView | A complete software development environment with trace support for ETM and RTP. | Lauterbach |
| winIDEA | winIDEA IDE, iC5000 emulator and trace hardware | iSystem |
| HiTOP IDE/Debugger | Tantino-Cortex-R with professional HiTOP Debugger/IDE | Hitex |
| Universal Debug Engine | A complete software development environment with trace support for ETM. | PLS |
Emulators
| Name | Description | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| J-Link | Low cost, low performance emulator – integrated on Hercules TMS570 MCU Development Kits. With Code Composer Studio IDE and IAR support. | Segger |
| ULINK | Family of USB-JTAG Adapters for Keil uVision to connect your PC's USB port to your target system | Keil |
| iC5000 | Full Trace support for ETM and RTP | iSystem |
| UAD2pro | High-speed USB/JTAG for ETM and RTP | PLS |
| UAD3+ | High-end debug and ETM trace solution | PLS |
Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS)
Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS)A real-time operating system (RTOS) is a multitasking operating system which uses specialized algorithms to schedule and guarantee deadlines of tasks. Key features of an RTOS include minimal latency for task switching and the number of tasks it can handle
| Name | Description | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| SAFERTOS | Real Time OS for mission critical applications certified for IEC61508 SIL3, FDA 510K or DO-178B. | |
| FreeRTOS | FreeRTOS is a portable, open source, royalty free, mini Real Time Kernel. | FreeRTOS.org |
| μC/OS-II™ | Micriμm uC/OS-II RTOS certified for avionics DO-178B Level A and EUROCAE ED-12B, IEC61508 SIL 3/SIL4, and used in FDA-certified devices. | |
| SCIOPTA | Real-Time Operating System certified to IEC61508/EN50128 by TÜV. | SCIOPTA |
| SMXRTOS | SMX® is a no-royalty, modular, multitasking RTOS for embedded systems developed by Micro Digital. It is characterized by small footprint, high performance, ease of use, and integration with popular development tool suites. | Micro Digital |
| CoDeSys | CoDeSys (Controller Development System) is a comprehensive software tool for industrial automation technology. Basically it consists of two parts: the programming system CoDeSys and the runtime system CoDeSys Control. | Smart Software Solutions (3s) |
| MICROSAR BSW | AUTOSAR Basic Software (BSW) including the MCAL layer, OS, communication stacks for CAN, FlexRay and LIN. | VECTOR |
| EB tresos AutoCore and Studio | Production-ready Autosar standard core and Configuration editor. | Elektrobit (EB) |
| RTA-OSEK | RTA-OSEK provides a production real-time operating system , implements the AUTOSAR-OS V1.0 (SC-1) and OSEK/VDX OS V2.2.3 standard, and is fully MISRA compliant. | ETAS |
| osCAN | osCAN is a pre-emptive realtime multitasking operating system compliant to the OSEK/VDX specification 2.2. | VECTOR |
Connectivity & middleware
| Name | Description | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| TCP/IPv4 | The WITTENSTEIN high integrity systems TCP IPv4 solution is a complete protocol stack that combines small size and high performance without compromise in RFC compliance. Available fully integrated into SAFERTOS, an IEC 61508 SIL3 safety certified RTOS, as one seamless package for use upon Hercules safety controllers. | |
| μC/TCP-IP™ | μC/TCP-IP is a compact, reliable, high-performance TCP/IP protocol stack, optimized for embedded systems. Developed according to Micriμm's renowned coding standards, μC/TCP-IP enables the rapid configuration of required network options to minimize time-to-market. | |
| μC/USB-Host™ | μC/USB Host is a full-featured, high-performance, small-footprint USB host software stack. The stack's modular design includes an API layer, class drivers (MSC, HID, and CDC ACM), and a framework for developing custom class drivers. | |
| HCC Embedded TCP/IP | MISRA Compliant TCP/IP: efficient, embedded stack developed using a verifiable, MISRA compliant process. HCC's TCP/IP stack brings new levels of performance, quality and reliability to the embedded networking market. The stack provides a significant range of protocols as well as support for both IPv4 and IPv6, providing flexibility and long-term network compatibility. | HCC Embedded |
| CAN | ssCAN is an extreme performance ISO11898 hard real-time CAN device driver with low interrupt latency optimized for the Hercules family. It supports single and multiple CAN channels across the entire range of Hercules devices. | Simma Software |
| CANopen | ssCANopen is a high-performance CiA hard real-time CANopen protocol stack supporting a data throughput of 15 Mbps. This product is optimized specifically for the Hercules family of devices. | Simma Software |
| SAE J1939 | ssJ1939 is an extreme performance SAE J1939 protocol stack supporting a data throughput of 20 Mbps. This product is optimized specifically for the Hercules family of devices. | Simma Software |
| ISO 15765 | ssI15765 is an extreme performance ISO 15765 protocol stack supporting a data throughput of 20 Mbps. This product is optimized specifically for the Hercules of devices. | Simma Software |
| NMEA 2000 | ssNMEA2000 is an extreme performance NMEA 2000 protocol stack supporting a data throughput of 20 Mbps. This product is optimized specifically for the Hercules of devices. | Simma Software |
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