Hi,

Why powerpc debug tools are so expensive?

Does anybody know low-cost USB powerpc jtag/cop ?

Amontec website mentions about USB version of Chameleon POD but no
informayion for now.

Macraigor cheapest usb hardware is $225 + they sell their flash
programming software for $500.

Any chance to find some open hardware-software combination?


thanks

On Oct 9, 1:12 pm, tesla <yusufil...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Why powerpc debug tools are so expensive?

All PPC development hardware is expensive, because the volumes are
low. Eval boards are expensive too.

Don't expect to find a cheap USB solution, or a homebrew one. It is
however easy enough to build a Wiggler clone. The standard parallel
port wiggler is a multi-ended device (look inside an original
Macraigor wiggler...) and can support the PPC debug port.

> All PPC development hardware is expensive, because the volumes are
> low.

Not because the volumes are low. All PPC debug registers are JTAG
accessible, the real price of a JTAG cable is negligible.

 The reason why the tools are expensive is the fact that Freescale
keep the interface secret - and award the "busyness" of making tools
to someone they - and not the market - choose to.
 However, the PPC parts can be debugged without using the secret
debug areas. I manage to do that without missing those secret areas
at all, boundary scan and PPC alone are quite sufficient. Frankly,
I don't think having their secret data (they call it a "COP" interface
not to be confused with the COP timer on other systems) would bring me
much benefit, I am fine as things are.

 To the OP: I have made a debug monitor for the MPC5200 public (free
for development purposes), you can locate it under "downloads" on
our website.

Dimiter

------------------------------------------------------
Dimiter Popoff               Transgalactic Instruments

http://www.tgi-sci.com
------------------------------------------------------

On Oct 9, 8:14 pm, larwe <zwsdot...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Oct 9, 1:12 pm, tesla <yusufil...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Why powerpc debug tools are so expensive?
>
> All PPC development hardware is expensive, because the volumes are
> low. Eval boards are expensive too.
>
> Don't expect to find a cheap USB solution, or a homebrew one. It is
> however easy enough to build a Wiggler clone. The standard parallel
> port wiggler is a multi-ended device (look inside an original
> Macraigor wiggler...) and can support the PPC debug port.

On Tue, 09 Oct 2007 10:14:55 -0700, in comp.arch.embedded larwe
<z...@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Oct 9, 1:12 pm, tesla <yusufil...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Why powerpc debug tools are so expensive?
>
>All PPC development hardware is expensive, because the volumes are
>low. Eval boards are expensive too.
>
>Don't expect to find a cheap USB solution, or a homebrew one. It is
>however easy enough to build a Wiggler clone. The standard parallel
>port wiggler is a multi-ended device (look inside an original
>Macraigor wiggler...) and can support the PPC debug port.
>

If you have a chance listen to this
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/global_business.shtml
It is all about wiki cooperation, maybe the JTAG syndrome will be
broken


Martin

On Oct 9, 8:14 pm, larwe <zwsdot...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Oct 9, 1:12 pm, tesla <yusufil...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Why powerpc debug tools are so expensive?
>
> All PPC development hardware is expensive, because the volumes are
> low. Eval boards are expensive too.
>
> Don't expect to find a cheap USB solution, or a homebrew one. It is
> however easy enough to build a Wiggler clone. The standard parallel
> port wiggler is a multi-ended device (look inside an original
> Macraigor wiggler...) and can support the PPC debug port.

I have seen parallel port wiggler schematic and openwince jtag
software port to debug/program kurobox.
but my computer does not have parallel port.
USB2parallel port emulators does not work for such devices (par port i/
o)
pcmcia or expresscard parallel ports may work, i havent tried.
I believe pcmcia ones  are *real* parallel ports.