Product category:
Design and Development Hardware
News Release from: Macraigor Systems | Subject: usbSprite
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 14 June 2004
Easy interfacing for compact debugger
The usbSprite is billed as the first full-speed mini Universal Serial Bus (USB) device for JTAG (IEEE1149.1) or BDM (background debug mode).
The usbSprite is billed as the first full-speed mini Universal Serial Bus (USB) device for JTAG (IEEE1149.1) or BDM (background debug mode) usbSprite provides embedded systems developers with the smallest, most cost-sensitive, yet high-performance interface available for target OCD
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 20 Feb 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The usbSprite applications programming interface is fully compatible with industry-leading software debuggers, including the Gnu tools suite (GCC, GAS and GDB).
Craig Haller, Chief Engineer for Macraigor Systems explained: "The usbSprite changes the way end users will look at debug connections".
"The device measures 1.3in2 and connects to a host system via a USB mini-b connector".
"There is no need for dealing with JTAG headers or nonstandard connectors".
"USB allows cables up to sixteen feet in length for total flexibility".
Based on Macraigor's proprietary OCD technology, usbSprite operates as a convertor of JTAG commands.
The Windows host PC communicates with usbSprite via the industry-standard USB protocol to the proper OCD signals required by the target.
The host port may be JTAG, E-JTAG, OnCE, COP, BDM or any of several other types of connections.
A dedicated JTAG controller significantly increases throughput performance.
For example, binary files can be downloaded to an XScale target at 180Kbyte/s and the MPC88560 at up to 250Kbyte/s.
With higher clock speeds, information is transmitted and received from the target board more efficiently for setting breakpoints, single stepping, tracing, diagnosing problems and other target communications.
The usbSprite also offers flexibility and connection options.
With newer laptops shipping without a parallel port, USB is increasingly the primary option for portable debugging.
"usbSprite satisfies our price-sensitive customers who have been asking for a higher performance, portable debugging solution", said Managing Partner Craig Haller.
"This product meets their needs, while maintaining compatibility for the third parties who have ported to Macraigor's applications programming interfaces".
usbSprite is immediately available with a list price of US $750.
OCD Commander, an assembly-level software debugger and the Gnu tools suite are available at no charge from the Macraigor website.
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