Looks like a flood of new Freedom boards is coming out 🙂 : I have found out about this new one: The FRDM-KE02Z.
Author Archives: Erich Styger
Driver for Microchip 24xx Serial EEPROM
For many projects I need to store configuration or sensor data. For this I’m using either an SD card or program the internal flash memory of the microcontroller. Using the internal flash is a good thing as it does not need an external component. However, the typical number of programming cycles is limited to 10k-50k which is a limiting factor if data has to be recorded over a long time or very often. That’s why I’m using the very popular external 24xx external EEPROM devices from Microchip.
“Volatile” can be harmful…
What could be wrong with this code:
volatile uint16_t myDelay; void wait(uint16_t time) { myDelay = 0; while (myDelay<time) { /* wait .... */ } } void TimerInterrupt(void) { myDelay++; }?
Installing eGit in Eclipse and CodeWarrior for MCU10.4
Git is now my favorite version control system. Git and GitHub are very powerful, it has (nearly) all features I can think about, and best of all: As a distributed version control system, I can work with it, even if disconnected from the network :-).
There are many standalone and IDE integration available for Git. Beside of using TortoiseGit, I’m using the eGit Eclipse integration. This post is about how to install eGit in Eclipse, particularly in CodeWarrior for MCU10.4.
Kinetis ARM Cortex M4 DIY Board for $5
I love the Freedom boards, like the most recent FRDM-KL46Z for about US$15. But if I think that the ‘Freedom’ board is to big, cost too much and has too much on it, then here is one which is built for only US$5 :-): The MC HCK (pronounced “McHack”):

MC HCK Board Assembled (Source: http://mchck.org/blog/2013-08-06-self-built-mchck-for-5-dollars/)
Device Driver for Freescale MAG3110 Digital Magnetometer
One of the ‘goodies’ of the FRDM-KL46Z is the Freescale MAG3110 magnetometer. The MAG3110 is a tiny 2×2 mm device:
What was missing so far is a Processor Expert component for it. This post is about closing this gap…
A new Freedom Board: FRDM-KL46Z
Freescale has added a new Freedom board: the FRDM-KL46Z:
My opinion? The best Freedom board so far, I love it!
DIY Free Toolchain for Kinetis: Part 6 – Linux Host with OpenOCD and CMSIS-DAP
For everyone who wants to build a Do-It-Yourself toolchain for Kinetis on Linux, I recommend to read the following excellent post by Karibe:
Setting up Linux opensource build and debug tools for freescale freedom board FRDM-KL25Z
He describes how to get OpenOCD with CMSIS-DAP working with Eclipse on Ubuntu to debug the FRDM-KL25Z board.
List of Tutorials
- Part 1: Setting up ARM GNU tool chain
- Part 2: Setting up Eclipse IDE
- Part 3: Setting up the debugger (P&E and Segger)
- Part 4: Setting up Processor Expert
- Part 5: Setting up FreeRTOS Kernel Awareness
- Part 6: Linux Host Support with OpenOCD and CMSIS-DAP
- Part 7: GNU ARM Eclipse Plugins
- Part 8: Processor Expert with GNU ARM Eclipse Plugins
- Part 9: DIY Free Toolchain for Kinetis: Part 9 – Express Setup in 8 Steps
- Part 10 – Project Creation with GNU ARM Eclipse 2.1.1
Happy Linuxing 🙂
DIY Free Toolchain for Kinetis: Part 5 – FreeRTOS Eclipse Kernel Awareness with GDB
So far I have covered in this tutorial series how to install ARM GNU gcc, adding Eclipse, followed by adding GNU GDB debugger, and then adding Processor Expert. I’m using FreeRTOS a lot in my projects, and luckily there is a Kernel Awareness Plugin available for FreeRTOS for GDB in Eclipse. This tutorial is about how to install and use it.
DIY Free Toolchain for Kinetis: Part 4 – Processor Expert for Eclipse
I covered in a previous tutorial how add ARM gcc to Kepler Eclipse to build a DYI toolchain. I’m using Processor Expert a *lot* in my project, because it simplifies and speeds up the development of my embedded applications. What is missing so far is how Processor Expert can be added to Eclipse. As Kepler is as of this writing the latest Eclipse version, this tutorial is using that version.
❗ Eclipse Luna is *NOT* supported in Processor Expert 10.4! Eclipse Luna is expected to be supported in Processor Expert 10.5 coming out in 2015! So if you are using Processor Expert 10.4, then make sure you are using Eclipse Kepler.





