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Logging High-Speed Data Q: I need to log full-bandwidth, gap-free data from multiple channels on an Omnibus module installed on my DSP board to file(s) on the Host PC. Do you have any examples of this?. A: The UniLogger project was created to illustrate use of Innovative's M6x DSP board as a high-speed data logger. Full source for the application is available here and the code may be readily ported to other baseboards. PCI32/Host PC Compatibility Issues Q: I have been using a PCI32 successfully in one system but recently installed it in a different PC and the card will no longer function. A: A couple of compatibility problems have been found recently between the PCI32 and certain host systems. Problem descriptions and solutions are listed in Application Note AP27 on the support page, Applications Notes page. Compiling Programs in Codewright Q: I have installed the Innovative Integration Zuma toolset, the Codewright editor and the the TI C Compiler. When I attempt to compile a DSP program within Codewright, the Output window displays "Bad command or filename". What's wrong? A: When you attempt to build within Codewright, the II-supplied TIDEPs DLL tries to shell out to the TI compiler using the path specified by the C_DIR environment variable. If C_DIR does not point to the TI C compiler directory, the shell fails with the above diagnostic. Edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file (under 95) or your system environment settings (under NT) to point C_DIR to the TI compiler directory. Missing I/O Routines? Q: When I build my project under Codewright, the linker complains about not being able to find _monitor and other standard I/O routines that are documented in your software manual. What is wrong? A: You have inadvertently referenced the standard I/O library supplied with the TI C compiler rather than the II-supplied standard I/O library. This is usually the result of improperly specifying the C_DIR, A_DIR, II_BOARD and PATH environment variables. Download application note AP15 from our website for a discussion of the appropriate settings for these environment variables. Compiling programs in the TI Compiler Q: I cannot successfully compile my DSP program. The TI compiler complains about not being able to locate header files like BUS3x.H, DMA3x.H, TIMERx0.H, etc. Where are these files located? A: The TI Compiler installs these files onto your system during its installation (within archive files), but neglects to extract these header files from the archives after the installation. See the TI C Compiler section of the Innovative Integration Developers Package Installation Guide for details on how to extract these header files from the archives. Peripheral Libraries and the Hasp Key Q: I recently installed the Peripheral Libraries for my target DSP board under Windows NT. Now, whenever I restart NT, I see a momentary message box which says "Unable to locate Hasp License Manager". Is this a problem? What does this mean? A: This is merely a diagnostic message and is not an error. The new versions of the peripheral libraries are hardware-keyed using "Hasp keys", which plug into the parallel port on your PC during DSP development. The Hasp License Manager provides network access to a key located on a server in site licensing applications, but is not available otherwise. This message may be safely ignored. Zuma Toolset Q: I recently downloaded the newest Peripheral Libraries for my DSP board from your website. I completed the installation of the new software, but when I attempt to run the terminal emulator, I receive the diagnostic message "HASP key detect failed. Verify key and HASP driver installed!" or "Wrong key for this DSP type!". What is wrong? A: With the introduction of version 2.0 of the Peripheral Libraries and their integration into the new Zuma Toolset, the development tool components of the the toolset are protected using a hardware "key" or "dongle" which attaches to the parallel port of your PC. In order to upgrade to the new toolset, contact the Innovative Integration sales department in order to order the Zuma Toolset upgrade for your DSP board. Users who have purchased a development system within the last year may upgrade to Zuma just $995.00 (US). Q: What is the difference between the Peripheral Libraries and the Zuma Toolset? A: The Peripheral Libraries consists of approximately 200 board-specific software routines which run on a particular II DSP board. By contrast, Zuma is a complete DSP software development solution. Zuma contains tools for DSP code development, peripheral libraries, Host DSP device drivers and DLLs and technical hotline support to knowledgeable software and hardware engineers at Innovative to insure your success when developing with one our our DSP products. Q: What do the Zuma Toolsets contain? A: Peripheral Libraries - Target drivers and examples to control DSP peripherals and illustrate coding strategies. Windows Device Drivers - Separate Windows 95 and NT ring zero device drivers to allow low-level control of the DSP target Windows DLL and Host examples - Unified Windows 95 and NT dynamic link library (DLL) to allow access to all device driver features, DSP program downloading and Host DSP card feature access. Examples of Host C code to control DSP. HASP Key - An electronic hardware key which plugs into the user's PC. Windows Applets - Utility programs which run on the PC and support development of DSP programs via the DLL and the Peripheral Libraries. These components are now "keyed" using the HASP. Users will not be able to use these components without obtaining a HASP key from Innovative. Codewright Editor - Full featured, 32-bit code generation environment, purchased from Premia Corp. TIDeps DLL - Innovative-authored Codewright extension, which supports automatic TI tool access from within Codewright. Technical Support - (II product H104) - One year of Innovative DSP telephone technical hotline support. Documentation - All software tools and documentation is provided on CD-ROM. Printed manuals are available separately. JTAG Debugger Problems Q: I can't get my JTAG based debugger to communicate with the target DSP. A: Download the latest copy of the Win95 Installation Instructions or WinNT Installation Instructions. It describes the proper installation sequence of all of the the components of the Developers Package including the JTAG hardware and software. Improving DSP Code Performance Q: I have carefully coded my DSP application and am still not achieving the desired performance out of my application. How might I improve performance? A: Consider moving you most-oftem executed code routines on-chip. See app notes DNP33.PDF and DNP62.PDF for details on how this is accomplished. Erratic Operation of A/D's and D/A's on 50 MHz PC31/SBC31 and 80 MHz PC50 Q: The analog I/O on my full-speed board is noisy/does not operate properly, but it works OK when the DSP clock speed is reduced. What's going on? A: The Burr-Brown A/D and D/A may be being driven out of spec. See the app note 50MHZ31.PDF for a software fix. Operating Systems Supported Q: Can I develop under DOS instead of Windows NT/95? How about Unix derivatives like LINUX or OS/9 or SUN OS? A: As of June '96, we have discontinued support for our DOS-based development packages. We have no immediate plans to support Unix-based development environments. However, it is always possible to install the target DSP into a machine running under a "foreign" O.S. and umbilical over to it using our JTAG debugger from a second PC running Windows/NT. In fact, this can be a superior arrangement since the target PC need not be encumbered with supporting the development toolset. DSP Power Requirements Q: I'm considering one of your stand-alone boards for an embedded application. What are the power requirements for your stand-alone DSP products? A: See the app notes SBC31PWR.PDF and SBC32PWR.PDF for full details. The app note section lists power consumption for some other popular bus-based products as well. Terms and Conditions, Discounts Q: Do you offer an educational or university discount? A: We do not offer a discount to educational institutions at this time. However, we offer extremely aggressive volume discounts so that educators establishing a DSP laboratory can still obtain excellent pricing. Q: Can I purchase using a credit card? A: We accept Visa/Mastercharge for all transactions as well as purchase orders from pre-qualified companies and institutions. Click here to download our standard terms and conditions. Distribution Channels Q: My company is located outside the United States. How do I order your products? A: Innovative has a worldwide distribution network capable of provide pre and post sales support. Download DISTRIB.PDF to obtain the name of a distributor in your area. LabView Support Q: Do you have LabView drivers for your DSP boards? How much do they cost? A: We currently offer LabView drivers for our PC32 and PCI32 products. The driver is available at no charge when purchased with a DSP board or as an upgrade for $200 US. LabView drivers for our other DSP products are under development. |