Free 32-bit Reference Design from Motorola Speeds Development of CAN And Ethernet-based Embedded Systems

Tool Based on ColdFire(R) Microprocessor Technology Eases Design Of Applications with Multiple Networking Protocols

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Designers of industrial and automotive systems using the controller area network (CAN) communication protocol can now reduce development times and overall system costs by using the new CAN reference design from Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT - News). Based on a 32-bit ColdFire Version 2 integrated microprocessor - the MCF5272 - this newest tool is designed to enable systems designers to quickly employ the Ethernet local area network technology alongside CAN technology for distributed control applications used in industrial environments, such as textile equipment, paper processors and assembly plants. By connecting CAN and Ethernet, factory managers will ultimately be able to monitor the factory equipment from a local PC or anywhere in the world via a remote connection.

Announced today as the first in a series of application-specific reference designs based on Motorola's ColdFire architecture, the CAN reference design includes design schematics, an applications note and driver software available free for download to registered users from the Motorola web site. This overall package demonstrates Motorola's commitment to customers by delivering design resources that help make designing and developing embedded systems easier and more time- and cost-effective.

"Design engineers working on systems for industrial control and process automation face a unique set of challenges in leveraging the latest technology for networking distributed systems," said Dr. Franz Fink, general manager for Motorola's 32-Bit Embedded Controller Division. "This is why Motorola is committed to providing design and development tools, such as reference designs, to ease customers' design of embedded systems and enable overall reduced costs and shortened time-to-market."

For years, CAN has been used to connect devices in industrial environments because of its robustness, determinism, error detection and correction features. Ethernet is the de facto standard in connecting personal computers and office equipment. As the amount of data from the factory floor increases, a further step in industrial control and process automation is to combine the CAN and Ethernet networking technologies to connect the factory floor to the front office. This connectivity allows for real-time communication of metrics and diagnostics along with facilitation of analysis and planning, ultimately enabling managers to monitor all points on factory floors from anywhere on the globe.

Controller Area Network (CAN) Enables Real-Time Communication for Industrial Environments

CAN is a serial bus system (ISO 11898) built for networking "intelligent" devices, including sensors and actuators, within a system or sub-system. Its origins in the automotive industry make it well suited for harsh environments with wide variations in temperature, humidity, electromagnetic radiation, electrical interference and vibration.

CAN allows one device in a distributed network to talk to another with minimal reliance on a central computer. It offers high transmission rates, security and reliability and real-time control. For these reasons, CAN has become the primary networking protocol of choice for many applications including industrial packaging machinery, agricultural equipment and medical devices.

Ethernet Protocol Provides Faster Network Connections

Ethernet is the most widely used local area network (LAN) access method, defined by the IEEE as the 802.3 standard. Ethernet has become so popular that a specification for "LAN connection" or "network card" generally implies Ethernet without explicitly stating so. A 10/100 port means that it supports both 10BaseT at 10 megabits per second (Mbps) and 100BaseT at 100 Mbps.

ColdFire Microprocessor CAN/Ethernet Reference Design Features

Based on the ColdFire MCF5272 integrated microprocessor, the reference design is built to enable customers to easily implement both Ethernet and CAN networking protocols in control and data acquisition applications.

• Key features of the ColdFire MCF5272 Microprocessor include:
• 63 MIPS @ 66MHz
• 10/100 Ethernet controller
• USB 1.1 device module
• 2 UARTs
• SPI - Serial Peripheral Interface
• DMA - Direct Memory Access
• 3 PWM - Pulse Width Modulation

    The CAN/Ethernet reference design features:
    -    Full schematics detailing the hardware design and software
         development
    -    Detailed applications note describing how to design a CAN controller
         daughter card that plugs-in to the M5272C3 ColdFire evaluation
         platform
    -    Initialization and driver software

About ColdFire Integrated Microprocessors

The variable-length RISC ColdFire architecture is designed to give Motorola customers greater flexibility to lower memory and system costs. ColdFire cores combine the architectural simplicity of conventional 32-bit RISC with memory-saving, variable-length instruction sets. Because instructions can be 16-, 32- or 48-bits long, code is packed tighter in memory resulting in better code density than traditional 32- and 64-bit RISC machines. More efficient use of on-chip memory reduces bus bandwidth and the external memory required, which can result in lower system cost. The ColdFire integrated microprocessor product portfolio offers a versatile mix of performance, price, integration and debugging capabilities for embedded systems designers and is supported by a wide variety of development tools from Motorola and independent suppliers.

Price and Availability

This ColdFire microprocessor CAN/Ethernet reference design documentation and software is available now at no cost to registered users of Motorola's Web site by visiting http://www.motorola.com/ColdFire .

The M5272C3 evaluation platform is available for purchase from Motorola for $650 (suggested U.S. retail), providing an excellent foundation upon which to implement the free reference design. Each MCF5272 evaluation board is shipped with a full suite of evaluation software from leading tools vendors.

About Motorola

As the world's #1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector creates DigitalDNA(TM) system-on-chip solutions for a connected world. Our strong focus on wireless communications and networking enables customers to develop smarter, simpler, faster and synchronized products for the person, work team, home and automobile. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $4.9 billion (USD) in 2001. http://www.motorola.com/semiconductors

Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT - News) is a global leader in providing integrated communications and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2001 were $30 billion. http://www.motorola.com/

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.