A six-year-old, German embedded Linux vendor is offering uClinux tools and services for a Freescale SoC (system-on-chip) targeting control applications. Emlix says it worked with Freescale to create products and services for the DragonFire MCF5329, which features a 240MHz core, LCD controller, and optional CAN-bus, Ethernet, and crypto engine.

Freescale began sampling MCF532x-series chips last month, bundling uClinux development kits that support Nano-X. It says that embedded GUIs (graphical user interfaces) are increasingly based on 32-bit processors, such as the MCF5329. The uClinux kernel and toolchain bundled with the MCF5329 were not supplied by Emlix, however.

MCF5329

Freescale's MCF5329 is based on a 68K/ColdFire “V3” core, clocked at 240MHz. The SoC integrates 32KB of SRAM, an LCD controller that supports SVGA (800 x 600) resolutions, a two-bank 16-/32-bit SDRAM controller, 16-channel DMA controller, up to three UARTs, and a queued SPI (serial peripheral interface).

MCF5329 block diagram
(Click to enlarge)

On-chip peripheral interfaces include USB 2.0 host, USB 2.0 OTG (on-the-go), SSI (synchronous serial interface), and I2C. The chip also integrates an RTC (real-time clock), and 4-channel 32-bit and PWM (pulse-width modulation) timers.

Optional features include a CAN 2.0B controller, 10/100 Ethernet interface, and a crypto/hash engine supporting AES, DES, 3DES, MD5, SHA-1, HMAC, and EHMAC.

The MCF5329 is built on 0.13-micron process technology. It supports -40 to +85 degree Celsius operation, and is packaged in a 256-ball MAPBGA measuring 15mm square.

Emlix's Linux products for the MCF5329

Emlix says its Linux tools for the MCF5329 target low-cost visualization, operation, and control systems that exploit the chip's optional CAN 2.0B controller.

Emlix's uClinux kernel for the MCF5329 is based on an “up-to-date” 2.6-series source tree, and supports “all important interfaces,” the company says. Its MCF5329 toolchain is based on GCC 3.4.3, and GDB 6.3 with BDM (background debug mode) support.

Emlix's development kit for small MCF5329-compatible graphical interfaces includes Linux framebuffer drivers for several compatible Sharp displays, along with tools supporting C/C++ development, using either nano-X or Win32 APIs, it says. The kit also includes libraries, examples, and documentation, and a CGI-capable boa web server.

Availability

Freescale's MCF5329 is currently sampling, with availability expected in Q2, and pricing around $10 in 10K quantities.

Emlix says that its uClinux kernel and tools for the MCF5329 are available now, and are suitable for board-specific customizations. The company offers several BSPs (board-specific packages) based on them, along with services that include BSP development, training, and driver/application development services.

Emlix is actually one of the older embedded Linux service providers. The company was founded in 2000, and attended some of the early ELC meetings in Europe.

 
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