Using Keil µVision 4 (ARM-MDK) with Processor Expert Driver Suite

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Erich Styger

❗ This article has been written for the version 4 of µVision. There is an update for version 5 of µVision here: “Using Keil μVision 5 with Processor Expert“

The good thing with using ARM microcontroller is: there are plenty of tool choices. Even myself, I’m using multiple different tool chains. And while I’m heavily using Eclipse, there are non-Eclipse tool chains which have their advantages too.

The cool thing with CodeWarrior is that beside of Eclipse based, it comes with Processor Expert integrated. And I’m using Processor Expert a lot in my projects. But using Processor Expert does not mean I’m limited to CodeWarrior or Eclipse. So I can use CodeRed or IAR as tool chain with it. And this post is about using Processor Expert with the µVision tool chain from Keil/ARM.

Keil uVision Splash Screen

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Bricking and Recovering FRDM-KL25Z Boards: Reset, SWD Clock and Low Power

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Erich Styger

I’m working with a student on building a small autonomous robot platform, based on the FRDM-KL25Z board. We integrated new software modules, compiled and linked, and then downloaded the application to the board. While debugging and stepping through the application startup, I had this:

The Debugger has lost communication on connection

Outsch! That’s not good. Even worse, trying to connect again to the board failed :-(. What happened?

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Adding Quadrature Encoder to the Zumo Chassis

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Erich Styger

The Pololu Zumo chassis is nearly perfect for my needs: it is small and compact, and neatly works with the FRDM-KL25Z board. I’m able to use it for line following or maze solving. But it lacks a position (quadrature) encoder on the wheels which is either very useful or even required for the lecture assignments for my next class. The Pololu Zumo chassis mainly has been designed for Robot-Sumo competitions, where such quadrature sensors are not really needed. Pololu offers optical quadrature sensors for their 42×19 mm wheel which I used in this project. So why not adding these sensors to the Zumo chassis?

FRDM-Robot with Quadrature Sensors Mounted

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Eclipse Problems View: Only Show Problems for Project

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Erich Styger

Having many projects open the same time, and working on them in parallel is a challenge. Ok, the human brain is not built for multitasking, but I still try ;-). What I typically I end up in my Eclipse Problems View to have entries from multiple projects mixed up:

Problems View with Entries for multiple Projects

How to show it that I can fix the problems for ony project only, and not showing all problems from all projects?

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Tutorial: Arduino Motor/Stepper/Servo Shield – Part 2: Timed Servo Moves

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Erich Styger

You have decided: More than 52% voted in Part 1 that the next topic should be Timed Servo Moves. So here we go :-).

This is about how to move the servos over time, instead of moving it to the given position as fast as possible. I’m using a linear approach here: moving the servos linearly over time.

Moving Servo Motors

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Julier Formula Student Electrical Race Car as Television Star

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Erich Styger

Yesterday the local television station Tele 1 collected film material for a report about the “Julier” Formula Student team. The team did run more tests on the Alpnach air field, and this time the weather was much better compared to the last weekend. With the risk to get sun burned 😉

Until Tele 1 publishes the material, I have here pictures from the scene, the team and the car.

Camera, and Action

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Julier 4WD Test Drive in Alpnach

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Erich Styger

While weather is bad and Switzerland suffers from record high rain water levels, the Formula Student “julier” team was testing their race car this week-end after the rollout. This time to test the 4WD with more torque. Plus water-resistance ;-). So here are impressions, pictures and a video from this week-end:

Julier Formula Student Race Car

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Tutorial: Arduino Motor/Stepper/Servo Shield – Part 1: Servos

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Erich Styger

This post starts a small (or larger?) series of tutorials using the Arduino Motor/Stepper/Servo Shield with the FRDM-KL25Z board. That motor shield is probably one of the most versatile on the market, and features 2 servo and 4 motor connectors for DC or stepper motors. That makes it a great shield for any robotic project :-).