April 29, 2005 - SofTec Microsystems unveils the SK-S12XDP512-A Starter Kit, a full-featured, ready-to-use evaluation board for the Freescale MC9S12XDP512 microcontroller--the first member of the new HCS12X MCU family.

Targeted at automotive multiplexing applications, the HCS12X MCU family delivers 32-bit performance with all the advantages and efficiencies of a 16-bit MCU. Based around an enhanced HCS12 core, the HCS12X family delivers 2 to 5 times the performance of a 25 MHz HCS12 while retaining a high degree of pin and code compatibility with the HCS12.

The HCS12X family introduces the performance boosting XGATE module. Using enhanced DMA functionality, this parallel processing module offloads the CPU by providing high speed data processing and transfer between peripheral modules, RAM and I/O ports. Providing up to 80 MIPS of performance additional to the CPU, the XGATE can handle 64 channels and is fully user programmable.

The HCS12XD family, in particular, features the enhanced MXCAN module which, when used in conjunction with XGATE, delivers full CAN performance with virtually unlimited number of mailboxes and retains backwards compatibility with the MSCAN module featured on existing HCS12 products.

Designed in collaboration with Freescale, the Starter Kit takes advantage of the CodeWarrior Development Studio Special Edition (which groups an Editor, Assembler, C Compiler and Debugger) and the Freescale BDM interface, which allows the download and debug of the user application into the microcontroller's FLASH memory.

Together with CodeWarrior, the Starter Kit provides you with everything you need to write, compile, download, in-circuit emulate and debug user code. Full-speed program execution allows you to perform hardware and software testing in real time. The Starter Kit is connected to the host PC through a USB port. A prototyping area allows you to wire your own small application.

The SK-S12XDP512-A Starter Kit offers you the following benefits:

• Real-time code execution;
• True BDM programming and debugging through a built-in USB interface;
• CAN area with five CAN connectors and five CAN transceivers;
• LIN area with six LIN connectors and six LIN transceivers;
• Two connectors for FlexRay expansion;
• Demo area with four push-buttons, a potentiometer, a photo sensor, four user LEDs, two RS-232 ports and two dot matrix displays;
• Prototyping area;
• CodeWarrior Development Studio Special Edition, with editor, assembler, 32-KB limited C compiler and debugger.

The SK-S12XDP512-A Starter Kit is available for ordering at an end-user price of $395.