Piccolo USB Tools

Two USB tools for the Piccolo™ 32-bit TMS320F2802x microcontrollers (MCUs) from Texas Instruments (TI) enable designers to bring 32-bit real-time control capabilities to cost-sensitive applications. The new evaluation and development tools make it easier for designers to evaluate Piccolo MCUs and develop more energy-efficient real-time control applications such as micro solar inverters, LED lighting, white goods and hybrid vehicle batteries.

The $39 Piccolo controlSTICK provides engineering examples, including advanced Piccolo MCU features from simple blinking LEDs to configuring high-resolution ePWM peripherals; the $79 Piccolo Experimenter Kit provides the next step in the development process, allowing designers to easily prototype and develop comprehensive Piccolo MCU-based projects. The first F2802x Piccolo MCUs—TMX320F28027PTA and TMX320F28023DAA—range from 40 to 60 MHz and feature up to 64 KB of flash memory, 12-bit ADC, ePWM, and a variety of other peripherals.

Piccolo controlSTICK Key Features Piccolo USB Experimenter Kit Key Features

$39 evaluation tool

Helps designers evaluate and understand Piccolo MCUs

Small USB stick package

On-board USB JTAG for quick and easy project evaluation

· Access all control peripherals through pin headers

· 32 KB limited Code Composer Studio™ IDE and project examples · Complete development kit for $79, includes Piccolo controlCARD valued at $49

Designers can use prototyping to achieve faster development with Piccolo MCUs

On-board USB JTAG emulation by connecting an external emulator and power supply

Access to all Piccolo pins

· 32 KB Limited Code Composer Studio IDE

Real-time control helps many applications achieve high energy efficiency

• Micro Solar Inverters: By packing 32-bit performance into a small, low-cost package, micro-inverter-based systems have higher conversion efficiencies than traditional centralized inverter systems, significantly improving the efficiency and controllability of solar power systems.

• Commercial and industrial lighting applications: LED technology can improve energy efficiency by 50% compared to traditional high pressure sodium lamps. Piccolo MCU-based systems enable intelligent current control and easy system networking, reducing the cost and complexity of color mixing management and temperature control required for white LED systems.

• Power Line Communication (PLC): The exceptional real-time performance and high integration of Piccolo MCUs enable a variety of PLC applications, including enabling city street light networks to accurately locate power outages and centrally manage or adjust lighting based on time of day, traffic flow or weather conditions.