I would like to know if the Spark Fun JTAG Programmer/Debugger for ARM processors SKU#: ARM-JTAG can be used to program Luminary Microcontrollers (Initially I would just want the LM3S101).
I’m looking to see how easy I can get an LM3S101 going without spending much money.
I see I can get the microcontroller from Mouser. Mouser also has the development tools listed at nearly $800.00 - too much for this simple experiment.
Here’s my thinking:
Get an LM3S101.
Get a Spark Fun SOIC to DIP Adapter 28-Pin SKU#: PCB-SOIC-28
Solder and wire per some application note.
Get some code written, compiled.
Get the code downloaded (SOMEHOW!)
Apply some power - look for smoke
So far I can handle all these steps but I don’t yet know enough about ARM programming and/or JTAG to know if I could get the micro programmed without spending $500.00-$800.00 for the “development” board - which has the driver software for running a device programming step.
My experience with Flash-based microcontroller device programming is with PICs (PIC device programmer ICD-2) and AVRs (ATMEL’s in-system programmer).
What’s the chance that anyone could get the device programmed using the above information?
Although I did say compile I could have said Assemble the code since the context of my question was for the smallest memory device. I’d just like to see something work, from source to running on the part, and don’t want to spend more than I would with AVRs or PICs - around $100.00 max.
The question remains (rephrased)… What is the best way to get the hardware that I throw together to accept the ARM-JTAG as a means of getting the LM3S101 chip’s flash programmed? What software application does the downloading and what circuitry do I need on the microcontroller board to support the flash programming.
Has OLIMEX looked at the Luminary Micro JTAG flash programming requirements and can tell me if the ARM-JTAG is possible? What parts would have to be made - hardware/software? I can make some of it myself, if I have to. I just like the price of the ARM-JTAG but only need it for the Luminary Micro experiment.
Luminary is the first company who licensee the ARM new Cortex M3 core, there is no other company in the world beside Luminary who offers these ARM cores on chips now.
This is why the support for these chips will come with the time, but at the moment it’s offered by very few vendors.
As I wrote the new EW-ARM 4.40 release from June 2nd is one which supports Luminary, we use it to test the IAR/Luminary starterkits we build now.
CrossWorks 1.6 from Rowley also claims to have support, we didn’t try it yet.
Of course RealView from ARM also supports this core.
To the best of my knowledge there is GCC support for Cortex available also, but for the moment this is just compiler and there is no opensource/cheap programmer or debugger and there is no cheap $100 solution for you.
ARM-JTAG is hardware it can program any ARM with the proper software for it. For the moment this software is Rowley CrossConnect.
This is the first time I’ve investigated a microcontroller this new and although I did want to get on the leading edge of its development I wanted to do so with a hobbyist’s budget.
I came across some web posting from over a year ago that ST Microelectronics was also a licensee for the Cortex M3 but their website search shows no results when I enter CORTEX. Do you have any information on the progress of Cortex M3 with other companies besides Luminary?
Cortex M3 is very interesting as it allows more code density than ARM Thumb i.e. microcontrollers with less memory can do more. Also it’s synthesizable with 30% less gates than ARM7TDMI which means less silicon space, cheaper production cost and higher running frequencies possible.
The first Luminary chips run at 20Mhz but on their web is written from 1$ to 1GHz i.e. they have plans for future
There was a lot of buzz for this core last few years and although many companies watching closely this core Luminary was to take the first step.
I’m sure in the next years many others will follow Luminary and then the price of the development tools will fall down.
As Tsvetan pointed out, Cortex M3 is still pretty new in the context of MCU timelines. Support is growing rapidly. New lower-priced eval kits have been introduced in the past month and more will be coming out this year. Don’t forget Virtualabs as well - great tools on a hobby budget.
