Board-maker Logic Product Development has released Linux BSPs and toolchains for a pair of Freescale development boards based on MMU-ful (memory management unit-equpped) ColdFire microcontrollers. Freescale's M5475EVB and M5485EVB mini-ITX boards come with “Fire Engine” system-on-modules sourced from Logic, it says. The Linux BSP can be freely downloaded with registration.

(Click for larger view of Freescale's M5475EVB evaluation board)

The two Freescale development boards are based respectively on Freescale's MCF547x and MCF548x, implemented on “Fire Engine” system-on-modules (pictured at right) supplied by Logic. The boards also include a mini-ITX carrier board offering physical interface ports and associated electronics.

The Fire Engine modules are suitable for direct use within product designs, in conjunction with application-specific carrier boards, Logic says. In addition to the Freescale processors, each Fire Engine module includes:

• Up to 128MB SDRAM memory
• Up to 32 MB Flash memory
• Optional USB 2.0 w/4 host ports (MCF5475/85 Fire Engines only)
• USB 2.0 Device port
• CompactFlash Type 1 (memory only)
• PCI 2.2 bus interface
• Optional LCD controller, 1024 x 768 in 16-bit color (MCF5475/85 only)
• Bootloader/monitor

In addition to the functions provided by the Fire Engine modules, Freescale's Mini-ITX carrier board adds:

• LCD Display Connector — includes integrated LCD, touch, and backlight connector
• DVI Connector
• Two 10/100 RJ45 Ethernet connectors
• Two PCI slots
• Four serial ports — two RS-232, two TTL
• SPI
• RTC

Freescale described its MCF547x and MCF548x processors as the first ColdFire MCUs (microcontroller units) with MMUs (memory management units), when they were announced last year. They are based on a V4e ColdFire core clocked between 166MHz and 266MHz, and feature a dual-precision FPU (floating point unit) and EMAC (enhanced multiply-accumulate unit). On-chip peripheral interface options vary from model to model (14 models are available, or 28 including RoHS-compliant packaging), but options include dual Ethernet, USB 2.0, 32-bit PCI, SPI, I2C, and a 16-channel DMA controller. The MCF548x family chips also offer dual CAN bus controllers.

The ColdFire chips target traditional low-power, low-cost industrial and automotive microcontroller applications where networking and advanced operating systems can offer enhanced functionality.

Paul Cox of Logic said, “The low-power [Fire Engine] module incorporates all major components required for new products, and is designed to be dropped into new designs.”

Availability

The Fire Engine modules, M5475EVB and M5485EVB development boards, and Linux BSPs are available immediately from LogicPD or from Freescale. Logic's Linux BSP for the Freescale development boards is available to anyone who registers their development board on LogicPD's website, it says.

Embedded Linux developer services house TimeSys earlier this week announced a commitment to support the ColdFire chips within its LinuxLink online framework.

 
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