Freescale Eases 8-Bit Code Development with Cost-Effective Debugging Kit

USBSPYDER08 Discovery Kit Provides Small, Fast USB-Based In-Circuit Debugging for S08 Microcontrollers for Less Than $30
Embedded World 2007

NUREMBERG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Embedded systems designers using Freescale’s low-end 8-bit microcontrollers (MCUs) can now debug their code with “out-of-the-box” ease and speed. Freescale has introduced a powerful, simple and cost-effective debugging kit that gives designers the flexibility to develop, evaluate and test their 8-bit code before completing their embedded applications.

Designed for Freescale’s S08 MCUs, including the popular MC9S08QG, MC9S08QD and MC9RS08KA families, the USBSPYDER08 Discovery Kit is the latest addition to Freescale’s growing portfolio of easy-to-use development tools for embedded applications. The kit features a USB-based in-circuit debugger tool that enables developers to monitor or “spy” on the execution of their 8-bit application and to identify and “kill” any bugs in the software code.

“Freescale’s USBSPYDER08 kit provides embedded designers with the tools they need to begin their 8-bit development right out of the box,” said Mike McCourt, vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Microcontroller Division. “When developing with low-end 8-bit MCUs, used to control basic tasks, designers want to invest minimal time and money into this portion of their application. The USBSPYDER08 kit fits the bill, providing a compact, easy-to-use and affordable solution for 8-bit development.”

In addition to the in-circuit debugger, the USBSPYDER08 kit comes with an MC9(R)S08 MCU mounted on an 8-pin socket. Using the toolkit’s built-in background debugging mode (BDM) connector, developers can debug external MC9S08QG, MC9S08QD and MC9RS08KA devices in any package.

Combined with CodeWarrior™ Development Studio

To help ensure fast and efficient application development, the USBSPYDER08 Discovery Kit has been developed to work with Freescale’s CodeWarrior Development Studio Special Edition. Together with the CodeWarrior tool suite, the USBSPYDER08 kit provides the tools developers need to write, compile, download, in-circuit emulate and debug their code. Full-speed program execution allows developers to perform hardware and software testing in real time.

USBSPYDER08 Discovery Kit features

* Built-in USB to BDM circuitry (based on Freescale MC68HC908JB16 microcontroller) that allows the host PC to communicate with the target microcontroller through a standard USB interface
* MC9RS08KA, MC9S08QD or MC9S08QG target MCU in 8-pin DIP package, already programmed with a demo application
* Provision for a header connector with all of the microcontroller signals
* BDM connector for debugging external devices – a variation of the standard, 6-pin BDM connector defined by Freescale to program and debug MC9RS08KA, MC9S08QD and MC9S08QG devices in any package; offering a single debugging solution for several products

USBSPYDER08 debugging features

* Real-time code execution and in-circuit debugging
* Working frequency of up to 10 MHz
* Socketed target microcontroller
* BDM connector for external debugging
* 3.3 V devices supported
* Jumperless hardware mode setting
* USB connection to a PC workstation
* CodeWarrior Development Studio with editor, assembler, C compiler and debugger

About CodeWarrior Development Studio

CodeWarrior Development Studio is a powerful, highly visual and easy-to-use tool suite designed to increase software development productivity. Its Integrated Development Environment (IDE) provides unrivalled features, such as the Processor Expert™ application design tool, full chip simulation, Data Visualization and a project manager with templates to enhance developer productivity. CodeWarrior Development Studio enables developers to build and deploy Freescale MCU-based systems quickly and easily. The tool suite supports a full application development cycle, from board bring-up to firmware development to final application development.

Pricing and availability

The USBSPYDER08 Discovery Kit is available now for a suggested retail price of $29 (USD). For more information on the kit, please visit http://www.freescale.com/files/pr/usbspyder.html. Or contact your Freescale sales representative or distributor.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2006 sales of $6.4 billion (USD). www.freescale.com