Category Archives: LPC845-BRK

New MetaClockClock: Combining Art and Technology in Clocks

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The MetaClockClock is a clock made of clocks. It consists of multiple dual-shaft stepper motors, arranged as a matrix of 5×12 analog clocks. Each clock has two motorized hands that can move independently. The clock can tell the time, but in a unconventional way. The entire matrix creates a meta-display that shows the time or other information. Between the updates, the hand can do coordinated, choreographed movements.

The clock hands are laser cut acrylics with get light up with a LED ring around the clock.

This article describes the build with CNC cut oak enclosure, laser-cut parts and 3D printed items.

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Using Raspberry Pi and MCU-Link for Remote Embedded Debugging

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Remote debugging an embedded target is very useful: I don’t need a direct debug probe or USB cable connection. Instead, I’m using a network connection (wired or even wireless) over TCP/IP to talk to the debug probe and target. That way I can place the debug probe and target system away from my desk.

In Debugging ARM Cores with IP based Debug Probes and Eclipse I have used IP-based debug probes. This is a logical path, but expensive.

In Remote Debugging with USB based JTAG/SWD Debug Probes I showed how normal USB based debug probes can be used. This approach uses a remote host machine (e.g. desktop machine or notebook). This approach is still expensive, not scalable and the host machine needs a lot of space too.

So what if I use a Raspberry Pi instead? The RPi is small, inexpensive and ideal for such a task. Additionally, I can easily use it to build a test or debug farm. In this article, I show the use of the Raspberry Pi for remote debugging. A sub $20 or embedded target debug probe can be employed.

Raspberry Pi with NXP MCU-Link for Embedded Target Debugging
Raspberry Pi with NXP MCU-Link for Embedded Target Debugging
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Consolidating with VS Code

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It is August 1st, and Switzerland is celebrating its National Holiday. Rather cold and rainy, so this gets me some time to catch up on things. The preparation for the coming university semester in September is in full swing, and I have the honor to take over building up a new Master of Science in Engineering education module. In the existing courses I teach on the topic of embedded systems, I do use devices and MCUs from vendors like Broadcom, NXP, STM, Nordic, Raspberry Pi and Espressif. This not only means different SDKs, but different IDEs with different debug probes.

Just a subset of different hardware kits used in different labs

Eclipse has been the common factor in the mix with all these, and with all the pros and cons, it worked very well. With NXP having released support for Visual Studio Code, adding an announcement, and other vendors going into the same direction, I took the decision that I want to migrate my lab and lecture infrastructure to VS Code.

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LinkServer Scripting, and how to Recover MCUs with a Script

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The MCU-Link is an inexpensive CMSIS-DAP debug probe from NXP. It can be used as a GDB server debug probe, and as such it includes scripting support. This scripting can be very useful in some cases where the MCU cannot be accessed by a normal debug session. This happens for example if students are not pay attention what binary they flash to which device, causing an MCU to potentially get ‘bricked’.

NXP MCU-Link debug probe connected to Sumo Robot
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Creating a GNU Assembly-Only Project

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Sometimes it makes sense to write everything in assembly, even these days. For example if using a tiny microcontroller. Or just if one just don’t need all the productivity of the C/C++ tools. And it is a good educational experience: getting hands-on on the lower levels.

Debugging an Assembly-Only Project
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Creating custom Expansion Board and Header for the MCUXpresso Pins Tool

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The MCUXpresso Pins Tool is part of the NXP configuration suite which makes pin assignments, configuration and muxing easy. What I have somehow missed from one of the latest updates and releases is that it allows me now to add my own custom headers definition. Not only the tool is now aware of the ‘standard’ Arduino headers, but I can add my own headers too. This can be useful for providers of breakout boards or any kind of board which can be added to a MCU board. In my case it is very useful for projects where we design our own (breadboard-friendly) board or a custom board with an expansion board: we can design a board header and use it in other projects.

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DIY Split-Flap Display

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Split-flap displays are electromechanical display devices, which were common in airports or railway stations a few years ago.Unfortunately, most of them are gone and replaced by LED displays. Why not create a DIY version of it?

2×10 Split-Flap Display
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Doubling the performance of NXP LPC845 with improved Flash Access Time

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For more than two years I’m using the NXP LPC845 in my university courses. Beside of that it is used in many projects. First, because the LPC845-BRK board is small, breadboard friendly and inexpensive. Second, for many small projects that Cortex-M0+ provides just the right amount of processing power and memory.

NXP LPC845-BRK Board
NXP LPC845-BRK Board

If you search for ‘LPC845’ on my blog, you will find many articles about it. We are using the LPC845 in a research project, and one developer asked me why the LPC845 seems to run slower than expected. And I was sure that I wrote already an article about this, but to my disappointment: even Google did not find it? So complete this unfortunate gap, here is it: how to optimize the LPC845 and running it at full speed, with the hand-brake released.

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“java.net.SocketException: Connection reset”: Check your Windows Updates!

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One of the most frustrating part developing embedded applications is if the debug connection fails somehow: with all the different factors like operating system, virtual machines, USB ports and hubs, debug probe and firmware a ‘connection failed’ is my nightmare. And this is probably the most frustrating parts for my students (and myself!)

I do have a growing list of tips & tricks in “Debugging Failure: Check List and Hints“, so check this list. What I just have added is an entry for

java.net.SocketException: Connection reset

It occurred for a few students when they wanted to use the on-board CMSIS-DAP LinkServer debug connection on the NXP LPC845-BRK.

NXP LPC845-BRK Board

NXP LPC845-BRK Board

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