Date: 07/12/2009

Freescale's Tower System is added with two new MCU modules

Freescale Semiconductor has released of its two new interchangeable peripheral modules and 8- and 32-bit microcontroller (MCU) modules for its modular embedded systems development platform called "Tower System". The new modules feature 802.11b Wi-Fi and prototyping functionality.

"With the addition of these advanced modules for Freescale's Tower System, we are providing designers, students and hobbyists an affordable development system that's modular and expandable," said Aiden Mitchell, director of Freescale's Industrial & Multi-Market Microcontroller business. "The Tower system, in conjunction with Freescale MQX software, is the ultimate enablement solution- giving designers an array of building blocks for entry-level to advanced processor development and helping speed time to market."

The Tower System now supports two advanced microcontroller modules the TWR-MCF5225X and the TWR-S08LL64, featuring the ColdFire V2 MCF5225X MCU and the 8-bit MC9S08LL64 MCU, respectively. These modules can be combined with various peripheral modules to form a unique Tower System development tool or used as standalone debug tools.

The TWR-MCF5225X offers a connectivity solution with on-chip USB, Ethernet, controller area network (CAN) and encryption, along with the Freescale MQX real time operating system and associated tools and software stacks. The 8-bit MC9S08LL64 MCU includes an on-chip LCD driver that supports up to eight backplanes, to drive more segments with few pins, reducing system cost and design complexity. The S08LL family supports an LCD blink mode that operates without waking up the controller core, which helps reduce overall power consumption.

The new peripheral modules (TWR-ZGWIFI) adds 802.11b Wi-Fi functionality to the Tower System and includes the ZeroG Systems ZG2100 Wi-Fi I/O module and antenna, and configuration jumpers and an RS232 debug port. The embedded Wi-Fi module from ZeroG is optimized for embedded applications, with low data rates, power consumption and system resource requirements. The TWR-ZGWIFI module is FCC-certified and offers high integration with Freescale's MQX software solution.

The two peripheral modules complement the previously announced serial module (TWR-SER), supporting Ethernet, USB, RS232, RS485 and CAN, and elevator modules (TWR-ELEV) that connect the MCU and peripheral boards.

Price:
TWR-MCF5225X MCU module: At $49
TWR-S08LL64 MCU module: At $69
TWR-ZGWIFI and TWR-PROTO modules: At $59 and $14.99
TWR-MCF5225X-KIT includes the TWR-SER and TWR-ELEV modules: At $119 TWR-S08LL64-KIT includes the TWR-PROTO and TWR-ELEV modules: At $99

Availability: Now

For more details visit www.freescale.com