Keil Software µVision2 now Supports Remote Monitoring and Debugging of QuickCores Pro8051 FPGA-Embeddable Soft Core

µVision2 and QuickCores Pro8051+ FPGA-embeddable soft core merge to provide real-time monitoring and debugging from a remote location using a TCP/IP connection

PLANO, Texas, July 14, 2003 -- QuickCores announces that its Pro8051+ FPGA-embeddable 8051 instruction-set-compatible soft core is now supported by Keil Software µVision2* Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and has extended its capabilities to include remote real-time monitoring and debugging the Pro8051 via TCP/IP connection.  Provided for free download at QuickCores web site, is a downloadable, self-extracting driver (DLL) set that allows µVision2 Debugger to communicate with the Pro8051 JTAG-accessible real-time monitor and debug logic via TCP/IP or direct connection.

Hardware Real-Time Monitor
The Pro8051 CPU soft core is the industry’s first (and only) 8051 instruction-set-compatible microcontroller soft core built on a JTAG-accessible real-time monitor architecture.  When implemented in an Actel ProASICPLUS* FPGA, access to the Pro8051 soft core’s real-time monitor and debug logic is through the same JTAG pins used for programming logic inside the FPGA.  The Pro8051 real-time monitor architecture does not require any embedded monitor software routines or even a serial port.  Instead, µVision2 uses the same JTAG controller pod and connector used for “In System Programming” (ISP) of the FPGA.

On-the-Fly Examination and Editing of Memory and SFRs
Once the drivers are installed in accordance with the DLL Installation Guide, developers will be able to use µVision2 to monitor and debug QuickCores Pro8051 FPGA-based designs in real-time over a TCP/IP connection.  Since the real-time monitor is in hardware, no monitor program software is required on the target side.  When configured with the DLLs, µVision2 will be able to remotely examine and edit any program, data, or SFR location “on-the-fly” without first having to halt the microcontroller.  This capability is invaluable for developing real-time applications such as motor control and instrumentation where halting the CPU in order to change operational parameters or coefficients could be fatal to the application hardware.

QuickCores develops and licenses synthesizable microcontroller IP for embedding in FPGA and ASIC devices.  All of QuickCores 8051, 6805 and 16C5x microcontroller IP is built on a patented real-time monitor and data exchange architecture that enables high speed exchange and monitoring of data between target and host using a JTAG interface.

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* ProASICPLUS is a trademark of Actel Corporation.  µVision2 is a trademark of Keil Software, Inc.  Pro8051, Pro8051+, and Pro8051HYPERCORE are trademarks of QuickCores IP.