TI makes its connected-MCU range scalable and code-compatible
TI’s SimpleLink microcontroller (MCU) will consolidate a set of hardware, software and tools in a single development environment, using shared drivers, frameworks and libraries, in software development kits (SDKs) to enable scalability with 100% code reuse, reducing design time. With the ability to choose any device from the range of 32-bit wired and wireless ARM-based MCUs, products can adapt to changing design or application requirements.
TI has, a the same time, announced a new generation of Wi-Fi chips and modules – the SimpleLink Wi-Fi CC3220 wireless MCU and CC3120 wireless network processor. The CC3220 products are built on an architecture that places two physically separate execution environments in a single chip, with embedded security features such as secure storage, cloning protection, secure boot and networking security. These features, TI says, are powerful tools to help protect IoT devices from intellectual property (IP) and data theft or other risks without using an external secure MCU or element. The CC3220 hosts an 80-MHz ARM Cortex-M4 core, which is ‘fully available’ to run application code.
The SimpleLink platform includes:
Bluetooth low energy: on CC2640R2F and CC2640R2F-Q1 wireless MCUs
Dual-band (Sub-1 GHz and Bluetooth low energy): in the CC1350 wireless MCU
Host MCU: MSP432 MCU
Sub-1 GHz: CC1310 wireless MCU
Wi-Fi: CC3220 wireless MCU, CC3120 wireless network processor
Support includes; TI Drivers and industry-standard POSIX application programming interfaces (APIs). TI Drivers is an intuitive set of standardized functional APIs. Portable Operating System Interface for Unix (POSIX) –compliant APIs are supported to offer 100% application code portability with numerous OS/kernels.
Tools, training and resources, including modular TI LaunchPad development kits; free cloud tools; and on-demand access to code examples, documentation and training are available through TI Resource Explorer and SimpleLink Academy at every point in the design cycle.
The portfolio offers integrated connectivity stacks, with wired and wireless connectivity standards, including Bluetooth low energy, Wi-Fi, Sub-1 GHz and RS485, with zigbee®, Thread and Ethernet coming soon.
As part of the programme, TI has included a formalised training path, which it describes as self-paced, to academic standards. Users can explore the platform with Project Zero in the SimpleLink Academy.
CCS Cloud, a browser-based version of the Code Composer Studio integrated development environment, is available as an online resource to start development for no cost, even before purchasing a development kit. For those with LaunchPad development kits, SimpleLink MCU SDKs are available for immediate download.
The CC3220 wireless MCU LaunchPad development kit [CC3220SF-LAUNCHXL] is available for $49.99 and the CC3120 wireless network processor BoosterPack plug-in module [CC3120BOOST] is available for $29.99. The CC3220 will be prices at $4.99 (1,000)
TI; www.ti.com/simplelink-pr-eu
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