SUNRISE COOL NEW CUBETOOL SPEEDS EMBEDDED DEVELOPMENT

NEC's latest modular tool set supports complete microcontroller range

Dedicated NEC distributor, Sunrise Electronics is now supplying an exciting new modular series of development tools from NEC designed to provide in-circuit emulation and development support to the extensive range of NEC microcontroller families efficiently and economically.

The new CUBETOOL range supports all of NEC’s microcontroller products released since the beginning of 2004. Examples are the K Series, F Series and S Series microcontroller families, motor control, and CAN ASSP3+ devices. CUBETOOL consists of a modular set of hardware components that are usable for all target devices of a particular device line. CUBETOOL devices are compact, easily portable and very attractively priced. Designed to be easy to use, CUBETOOL connects to a host PC via a standard USB interface.

NEC’s 8-bit 78K0 microcontroller products are supported by two different CUBETOOL chains; high-end tools named ‘IECUBEs’ with full emulation & trace capability, and low-cost on-chip debug tools called ‘MINICUBEs’. The OCD is based on NEC Electronics proprietary interfaces.

There is one MINICUBE for all NEC 78K0 devices that have the on-chip debug macro. Another MINICUBE is available to support NEC’s range of low pin count 78K0S microcontrollers.

NEC’s 32-bit RISC V850 microcontrollers are supported by the IECUBE. The low-cost emulation option for the V850 range is a PCMCIA format on-chip debug tool, which has an N-Wire interface (NEC-specific JTAG).

Users first select the device series or line they are working with, and the appropriate IECUBE/MINICUBE. Then they select the device/ package combination, which determines which adapter/socket/converter is appropriate. Many CUBETOOL hardware items can be re-used, thereby cutting tool set costs for a whole range of products.

All software tools distributed and supported by NEC Electronics in Europe support all CUBETOOLs. For 78K and V850 software tools, NEC Electronics offer the IAR Embedded Workbench. A code-limited version is included with each IECUBE or MINICUBE tool purchase. For V850 software tools additional support is available via the Greenhills Workbench.

The CUBETOOL range of tools are available ex-stock from Sunrise Electronics.

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Sunrise Electronics is the only dedicated franchised distributor in the UK electronics market and provides a high level of technical design support to customers for the whole range of NEC semiconductor products including microprocessors, microcontrollers and ASICs as well as memory and colour LCD panels. The field sales team is technically qualified to ensure total support from design concept through to purchasing.

Sunrise is a direct ship distributor. The majority of shipments are delivered directly to customers from NEC’s own ISO9000 warehouse. This ensures reduced handling; correct packaging, especially for fine pitch surface mount devices requiring vacuum sealing, factory fresh product and timely deliveries.