High-Speed USB device for JTAG/BDM debugging now available from Macraigor Systems, an on-chip debug (OCD) industry leader

usbDemon Fully Compatible with Industry-Leading Software Debuggers and Microprocessor Architectures

SAN FRANCISCO, CA-March 29, 2004 - Macraigor Systems, an on-chip debug (OCD) industry leader, today introduced usbDemon, a new high-speed Universal Serial Bus (USB) device for JTAG (IEEE Standard 1149.1) or BDM (background debug mode) that provides embedded systems developers with the most cost-sensitive, yet high-performance interface available for target OCD. The usbDemon applications programming interface is fully compatible with industry-leading software debuggers, including the GNU tools suite (GCC, GAS and GDB).

"We are excited about usbDemon because of the high performance, convenience and compatibility it provides our customers," said Robert Day, director of marketing for the Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics Corporation. "The combination of our high-level debug technology and usbDemon offers an outstanding solution for Nucleus developers."

Based on Macraigor's proprietary OCD technology, usbDemon operates as a converter of JTAG commands. The Windows host PC communicates with usbDemon via the industry-standard USB protocol to the proper OCD signals required by the target. The host port may be JTAG, E-JTAG, OnCE, COP, BDM or any of several other types of connections.

A dedicated JTAG controller significantly increases throughput performance. For example, binary files can be downloaded to an XScale target at 180 Kbytes per second and the MPC88560 at up to 250 Kbytes per second. With higher clock speeds, information is transmitted and received from the target board more efficiently for setting breakpoints, single stepping, tracing, diagnosing problems and other target communications.

The usbDemon also offers flexibility and connection options. With newer laptops shipping sans parallel port, USB is increasingly the primary option for portable debugging. "usbDemon satisfies our price-sensitive customers who have been asking for a higher performance, portable debugging solution," said managing partner Craig Haller. "This product meets their needs, while maintaining compatibility for the third parties who have ported to Macraigor's applications programming interfaces."

Pricing & Availability

usbDemon is immediately available with a list price of US $750. OCD Commander, an assembly-level software debugger and the GNU tools suite are available at no charge from the Macraigor website.

About Macraigor Systems

Macraigor Systems is a leading supplier of BDM/JTAG connection solutions for on-chip debugging of 32 and 64-bit embedded microprocessors. Macraigor Systems' solutions are designed for price-sensitive customers. These solutions include a suite of software tools that supports Windows 9x, NT, ME, XP, Linux and Solaris host systems. Macraigor Systems supports all major embedded microprocessor architectures, including AMD, ARM, ColdFire, CPU32 Series, PowerPC, MIPS and the XScale microarchitecture. Web site: www.macraigor.com

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Macraigor Systems LLC, OCDemon and usbDemon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Macraigor Systems LLC in the U.S. and/or internationally. All other trademarks and products are the property of their respective owners.