Parallax SX Embedded Controller Debugging Tools

The SX processors include In Circuit Debugging (almost ICE) support on EVERY chip. By connecting one of these debuggers to the osc1 and osc2 pins, you can see what is happening inside the chip and what the chip is seeing from the outside world, as it runs at full speed.

• See: Test Equipment for a comparison of debugging tools.
• If you just need to get a chip programmed, see: Programmers
• Check the local auctions for good deals on used equipment

We benefit if you read this: With the right software, and PIC card, you can transform your computer into a DVR. With it and your closed circuit television or CCTV Cameras plugged into the back of this board you'll be able to digitally store and record all data within these security cameras view.

Emulators/in-circuit Debuggers

• SX-Key by Parallax, Inc. is a "wonder of magic" (Price dropped to $79!) With the new user interface (includes, scroll bars, highlighting, etc...), version 2.0 offers all the features of much higher priced system ICE systems. Uses its own built in assembler or SASM. The company provides a rich set of educational materials and is known to be responsive in answering technical support questions. Limited support for working with the SX-52 is available in the latest version of the software. Direct integration to a C compiler is not yet available but source code to a previous version has been released by Parallax and some grass roots updates have resulted. Parallax is now Ubicom Master Distributor for the SX microcontroller! much lower prices, more chips on hand and the SXKey is now only $79 with complete development kits from $89!

• SV TEHS SXDEV $150 can be powered from target board, draws less than 5 mA, 120...150 MHz, down to 3V, use any clock source (quartz, ceramic resonator, oscillator or external clock) and have advanced IDE (Windows or Linux via Wine) with many features supported: for example, Timers and Bank0 support for SX48/52, data injection mode, extended watch attributes, external assembler SASM or MPASM, external simulator SxSim and external C compiler Hitech C (free version). Uses a serial port and finds it automatically.
  Users manual in PDF or online CCS HTML (standard HTML coming soon) Screen shots: Debugging, Editing, Watches, Programming

  Don't forget to order chips! Ubicom SX Embedded Controller Devices Availability
   

See also:

• Advanced Transdata SX-ISD is WAS a high class (extra features) version of the SX-Key (about $375) They are out of business.

• http://www.nohau.com/newflyers/scenix.pdf available for $495 from http://www.montereytools.com/nohau.html.

• http://shop.kanda.com/shopnav/shop.php3?bc=partno&bw=SX-DEBUG only $99! Has the magical ability to set up to 8 breakpoints (using the skip technique listed in the notes below?). Very nice IDE. REALLY COOL application builder that makes setting up all the chip options, port initialization, timing and interrupt options a snap. Worth the price just for that. Comes with and supports SASM. Documentation available soon.
  
  Unfortunately, customers have reported that they do not responded in a timely manner to support requests. The company does seem to address the issues, but does not let the customer know what is going on. If you do need help, do send them an email, and be very, very patient.
  

Don't forget to order chips! Ubicom SX Embedded Controller Devices Availability

Notes:

• Due to a "feature" of the SX chips, you can not set a break point, watchpoint or expect to single step (you will slid past) at NOP instructions - use any other instruction instead NOP. There is nothing that any ICD device can do about this. I have defined a macro called "mynop" which simply consists of a page $ command and I use that in place of nops to avoid this effect.
• Because BANK and PAGE commands which follow a skip, are also skipped, you should not expect a break point, watchpoint to always trigger or expect to single step (you will slid past) at these commands when they are used this way. See Ubicom - Silicon Errata #15.13
  You can use this fact to setup conditional breakpoints by adding a skip on whatever condition you want to and then setting a break point on the instruction that will be skipped when the condition is not true.

See:

• An ISP adapter for PCBs which do not have the pin header
• Software Tips, Tricks, Traps, Gens and Snares

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