Parallel Bus to IEEE 1394 Streaming Development EVM-Kit

EVM Kit enabling use of Ultra-Compact Multi-chip modules as programmable FireWire interface solutions for embedded devices and sensors. DSP Programming Supported as Standard Optional FPGA Programming

This EVM-kit is the perfect entry platform for applications that need fast IEEE 1394 isochronous data streaming over a parallel bus hardware interface, combined with the ability to individually program the onboard DSP and FPGA (optional FPGA VHDL development package required). In cases where the ready-to-use Parallel Bus to 1394 Bridging EVM-kit does not provide the required flexibility, this "Streaming Development EVM-kit" provides the ability to build individual software and FPGA solutions that are capable of fulfilling the needs of a specific application. The usability of this EVM kit makes it suitable for system engineers who want to focus on their total system solution as a priority and want to realize an IEEE 1394 solution with a minimum of time and effort.

Directly connects a 16 bit parallel streaming bus to IEEE 1394. Allows individual programming of DSP and FPGA. Allows individual usage of onboard interfaces like asynchronous IEEE 1394, RS232, McBSPs, I2C, digital I/O pins, etc. Allows parallel bus isochronous data streaming transfer rates up to 32 Mbyte/s without any processor overhead. Fully IEEE 1394a and IEEE 1394b compliant. Includes low level IEEE 1394 API software driver, as well as high level IEEE 1394 VCP (Virtual Connection Protocol) software driver. Optimized PC-side IEEE 1394 VCP DLL and PC demo software included.

IEEE 1394a-x BSP included

The EVM-kit contains the "UC1394a-x Generic Streaming Development BSP". This Board Support Package is necessary to run the IEEE 1394 network as a "black box", accessed by a software driver for asynchronous communications, and a 16 bit parallel bus hardware streaming interface for isochronous communications. The BSP furthermore provides an RS-232 interface and many software programmable digital I/O pins. If individual hardware interfaces for the application are required, then an optional FPGA VHDL development package is available that allows developers to design and implement their own hardware connectivity. As an additional customer service, Traquair can provide development services for customer-specific FPGA designs and software applications.

PC-side IEEE 1394 API software driver also included

The EVM-kit also includes a PC-side IEEE 1394 software driver that is optimized for operation with UC1394a-x multi chip modules. Together with a demo application, it allows the user to send or receive data to/from UC1394a-x devices. On the PC-side, the data can be sent using a source file or received and be written to a target file, for example. Additionally, there are Auxiliary Virtual Connections supported which allow RS-232 tunneling, pin I/O tunneling, etc. over IEEE 1394.

If individual application software on the PC side is required, then the optimized IEEE 1394 software driver DLL can directly be interfaced by the PC application programmer. This allows fast, reliable individual system solutions with a minimum of development effort. Source code examples for PC programmers are included in the EVM-kit.

The included PC-side IEEE 1394 software driver DLL is a demo version. It supports all operational features, but is runtime limited to 2 hours. The unlimited version can be ordered from Traquair once the user feels comfortable with the demo version. All PC-side software is capable of running on any standard PC with standard IEEE 1394a OHCI chipsets (e.g. TI, VIA etc.) under Microsoft Windows® 2000, XP or later.

A part of the micro-line family

The carrier board used in the EVM-kit is part of the micro-line product family. Therefore, it is optionally possible to connect the EVM-kit with an extra "master DSP" board (e.g. C6000 DSP family). That combination easily enables IEEE 1394 connectivity from a master application processor without the need to implement complicated and runtime-sensitive IEEE 1394 software drivers on the master application processor itself.

Items included with this EVM-Kit