Category Archives: Processor Expert

Driver for Microchip 24xx Serial EEPROM

Posted on by
115

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.

24LC512 connected to FRDM-KL25Z

24LC512 connected to FRDM-KL25Z

Continue reading →

Device Driver for Freescale MAG3110 Digital Magnetometer

Posted on by
26

One of the ‘goodies’ of the FRDM-KL46Z is the Freescale MAG3110 magnetometer. The MAG3110 is a tiny 2×2 mm device:

MAG3110 on FRDM-KL46Z

MAG3110 on FRDM-KL46Z

What was missing so far is a Processor Expert component for it. This post is about closing this gap…

Continue reading →

DIY Free Toolchain for Kinetis: Part 5 – FreeRTOS Eclipse Kernel Awareness with GDB

Posted on by
38

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.

Queues and Tasks

Queues and Tasks

Continue reading →

DIY Free Toolchain for Kinetis: Part 4 – Processor Expert for Eclipse

Posted on by
108

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.

Processor Expert Project in Kepler Eclipse

Processor Expert Project in Kepler Eclipse

Continue reading →

Using the FRDM-KL25Z as a USB Mouse Device

Posted on by
59

I finally completed my project turning the FRDM-KL25Z board into a USB mouse device :-). The form factor and the capabilities of the Freedom board makes it a great board for implementing it as a ‘custom mouse’. All what I need is the USB stack running on it and have it acting as USB HID Mouse device.

FRDM-KL25Z enumerated as USB HID Mouse Device

FRDM-KL25Z enumerated as USB HID Mouse Device

Continue reading →

FreeRTOS V7.5.0 released

Posted on by
50

A week ago, the updated FreeRTOS V7.5.0 has been released on FreeRTOS.org. So time to have my Processor Expert FreeRTOS component updated as well :-).

FreeRTOS V7.5.0

FreeRTOS V7.5.0

Continue reading →

Tutorial: Ultra Low Cost 2.4 GHz Wireless Transceiver with the FRDM Board

Posted on by
136

For my embedded systems lecture I need a wireless connection to the robot we will develop during that course. So far I have SMAC (IEEE802.15.4) and Bluetooth worked out. But that IEEE802.15.4 (ZigBee) is expensive, and the cheap Bluetooth modules are great for robot-to-host connection, but not for swarm robots which need to communicate to each other. Alex Vecchio (see this post) pointed me to a $2.75 (!) wireless module featuring the Nordic Semiconductor nRF24L01+. Exactly what I needed, with an incredible low price :-).

nRF24L01+ Module Detail

nRF24L01+ Module Detail

Continue reading →

Hacking the Heating System for Cooling – Geothermal Drilling with extra Benefits

Posted on by
38

Summer finally has arrived in Switzerland. Yes, I live in a moderate climate zone, but if the outside temperature goes above 28-30° Celsius as these days, then sleeping at night is not that comfortable as it should be in my view. Luckily, I’m in a good constructed house with good insulation, so it takes a few days until it heats up. But I love to keep the temperature below 25° Celsius, especially at night. I do have a heating system which combines geothermal and solar heating. The question is: how can I use it for cooling during hot summer days? The solution: some extra plumbing, a Freescale Tower system and the Freescale FRDM-KL25Z board 🙂

FRDM-KL25Z with Arduino Data Logger Shield

FRDM-KL25Z with Arduino Data Logger Shield controlling Heating/Cooling System

Continue reading →

FRDM-KL25Z talks to Android Phone

Posted on by
3

Ok, I still do not own an Android phone, but I know many readers of this blog do, and there were several questions how to use the FRDM-KL25Z with Android. And here is something exciting I just saw today: Kai Liu posted information how to connect the FRDM-KL25Z with USB OTG (On-The-Go) to Android: FRDM-KL25Z now talks to Android Phone

He published the S19 file so you can try things out. He still needs to organize the sources and decide on how to publish it (I hope it will be available soon).

If you do not own a FRDM-KL25Z RevE, then you need to consider this post about a hardware change: USB host HID demo times out on FRDM-KL25Z with reproduced USB host

Happy Droiding 🙂