Hello,

Has anybody already worked with this microcontroller family? Which is your
opinion?

They seem very interesting because they use an ARM7 core processor and
include very useful communications peripherals (ethernet MAC, usb
controller, ...)

Does anybody know if there are free developing tools: 
- compiler / linker: i guess that GCC may be useful as this family uses
ARM7 cores. 
- [b]programmer[/b]: it seems they have parallel and serial (jtag)
interfaces.

I want to start a project based on a AT91 uC, but I'd like to know this
first.
The most unknow thing is if there are already tools or schematics to
programm these devices.

Thanks in advance !!!

putxi,

I have used Cirrus Logic ARM controllers which are similar.  You can
use the $150 ocdemon wiggler from Macraigor systems and GCC/gdb.  I
like the Insight front-end for gdb, it works nice.  If you go to
macraigor's website you can find the toolset and JTAG interfaces for
ARM controllers.

regards,
J. Cordaro


putxi wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Has anybody already worked with this microcontroller family? Which is your
> opinion?
>
> They seem very interesting because they use an ARM7 core processor and
> include very useful communications peripherals (ethernet MAC, usb
> controller, ...)
>
> Does anybody know if there are free developing tools:
> - compiler / linker: i guess that GCC may be useful as this family uses
> ARM7 cores.
> - [b]programmer[/b]: it seems they have parallel and serial (jtag)
> interfaces.
>
> I want to start a project based on a AT91 uC, but I'd like to know this
> first.
> The most unknow thing is if there are already tools or schematics to
> programm these devices.
> 
> Thanks in advance !!!

putxi wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Has anybody already worked with this microcontroller family? Which is your
> opinion?

We started working on it, but got side-tracked into another one.  Will
get back to it later.

>
> They seem very interesting because they use an ARM7 core processor and
> include very useful communications peripherals (ethernet MAC, usb
> controller, ...)
>
> Does anybody know if there are free developing tools:

Yes, you can use free schematic capture, layout, compiler and debugger.

> - compiler / linker: i guess that GCC may be useful as this family uses
> ARM7 cores.
> - [b]programmer[/b]: it seems they have parallel and serial (jtag)
> interfaces.

Here is a link to a free AT91RM9200 design.

http: slash slash pcb dot linnix dot com slash sbc1 dot html

>
> I want to start a project based on a AT91 uC, but I'd like to know this
> first.
> The most unknow thing is if there are already tools or schematics to
> programm these devices.

Yes.

> 
> Thanks in advance !!!

> Has anybody already worked with this microcontroller family? Which is your
> opinion?

Simple to use. Relatively inexpensive. You might have better results
using the SAM series though, they are more integrated. Depends what you
are doing.

> Does anybody know if there are free developing tools:

Yes, arm-gcc. Buy my first book, which was about the AT91R40807 :)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0750676094/zws-20

> Has anybody already worked with this microcontroller family? Which is your
> opinion?

I've used the AT91R40008 from that series. I have to tell you, it's a 
pleasure to work with.

> They seem very interesting because they use an ARM7 core processor and
> include very useful communications peripherals (ethernet MAC, usb
> controller, ...)
>
> Does anybody know if there are free developing tools:
> - compiler / linker: i guess that GCC may be useful as this family uses
> ARM7 cores.
> - [b]programmer[/b]: it seems they have parallel and serial (jtag)
> interfaces.

As others have said, the GCC toolset is available, usable and free. The GDB 
debugger is a pain to work with, and for me at least is really unstable with 
the wiggler programmer though, but once you have your minimal boot-loader up 
and running, it's not an issue any more. Actually I have done all my 
development without a debugger.

> I want to start a project based on a AT91 uC, but I'd like to know this
> first.
> The most unknow thing is if there are already tools or schematics to
> programm these devices.

http://www.modularcircuits.com/hc_at91.htm - my AT91 based design
http://www.modularcircuits.com/gcc_arm.htm - ARM cross GCC toolset
http://andras.tantosonline.com/wiggler.htm - Wiggler schematic

Regards,
Andras Tantos

"putxi" <j...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:H...@giganews.com...
> Hello,
>
> Has anybody already worked with this microcontroller family? Which is your
> opinion?
>
> They seem very interesting because they use an ARM7 core processor and
> include very useful communications peripherals (ethernet MAC, usb
> controller, ...)
>
> Does anybody know if there are free developing tools:
> - compiler / linker: i guess that GCC may be useful as this family uses
> ARM7 cores.
> - [b]programmer[/b]: it seems they have parallel and serial (jtag)
> interfaces.
>
> I want to start a project based on a AT91 uC, but I'd like to know this
> first.
> The most unknow thing is if there are already tools or schematics to
> programm these devices.
>
> Thanks in advance !!!
>
>

We have done a few projects with their older AT91M55800, ARM7TDMI, using GCC 
on one and Code Warrior on others.   Code Warrior is dumping support, so GCC 
is a good choice (or Keil, just bought by ARM).

There is programming code, source and ready made tools from Atmel.  Comes on 
the CD with the eval boards.  Eval kits from Atmel are very reasonable, 
about US$250.  I have been very pleased with the Atmel stuff.

Scott