• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

ZiLOG Launches General Purpose Modular Development System Application Board

Posted on: Monday, 24 May 2004, 06:00 CDT

Leading provider of integrated 8-bit microcontrollers, ZiLOG Inc. (Nasdaq:ZILG), has launched a new general purpose Modular Development System (MDS-GP) application board, providing design engineers with a convenient, low-cost, powerful application development platform interface for use with development kits featuring ZiLOG's popular Z8 Encore!(R), Z8Encore! XP(TM) and eZ80Acclaim!(TM) high-performance, 8-bit microcontrollers (MCUs). The MDS-GP was developed to enable rapid proof-of-concept prototyping, enabling ZiLOG customers to shorten their product development cycle and time to market.

With ample prototyping space, multiple connectors and interface points to all processor I/O and busses, the MDS-GP offers design engineers the flexibility to add new features and functionality to their design at minimal cost. In addition, because of its compatibility with the Z8 Encore!, Z8 Encore! XP, and eZ80Acclaim! MCUs, engineers are able to increase their application reach. Using compatible development boards or processors that simply plug into the MDS application boards, engineers have a full-featured development platform with the ability to 'mix and match' compatible boards or modules with any MDS application board.

"Key to development of the MDS-GP board was giving our customers the highest level of functionality and flexibility possible, but keeping development costs to a minimum," said Michael Gershowitz, director of MicroDevices product marketing at ZiLOG. "We added features such as plug-ins for GPS modules, radio data modules, on-board temperature sensors and external I/O connectors for easy attachment to other end-user hardware. These additional features make the MDS-GP an ideal development platform for a great number of possible applications, particularly where connectivity, control and data gathering are important, such as in agricultural control, security, industrial sensors, vehicle data tracking and utilities metering."

ZiLOG MDS-Compatible Development Kits

MDS-compatible development kits are available for the Z8 Encore! 8K and 64K Series and Z8 Encore! XP 4K Series, featuring up to 64K of on-board Flash memory. The eZ80Acclaim! MDS-compatible development kits feature the eZ80F91 processor module with 10/100Base-T Ethernet hardware and RJ45 connector. The Z8 Encore!, Z8Encore! XP and eZ80Acclaim! development kits come with an MDS-compatible development board or module, ZiLOG ZDS II integrated development environment with ANSI C compiler, in-circuit debugger, power supplies, CD-ROM with documentation, sample code and a quick start guide.

Pricing and Availability

The MDS-GP application board is available now, retails at $149.95 and can be ordered online or via ZiLOG worldwide sales offices. For further details about ordering, product specifications and kit part numbers, log onto http://www.zilog.com/products/partdetails.asp?id=ZGENPRP0100MDS

Full Feature Set

-- Supports the eZ80F91, Z8 Encore! 8K and 64K Series, and Z8Encore! XP 4K series MDS CPU modules

-- 2 by 16 Character LCD display

-- 3 by 4 Keypad matrix

-- 512K bytes Fast SRAM

-- Both 5 and 9-12volt DC input jacks

-- RS485 interface/screw terminal block I/O- +12volt,D+,D-,GND (Can power board using this 12v input)

-- Terminal Block inputs for some ADC channels on the Encore! Family

-- 6 High Drive Outputs with terminal blocks. Jumper selectable 5 or 12 volt supply

-- Relays with Terminal Block.

-- Plug-in for Trimble's Lasson SQ GPS module

-- Plug-in for Maxstream (900 or 2.4MHz) Data module

-- Buzzer

-- I2C temperature sensor

-- I2C 4 pin I/O connector

-- External 8 bit data I/O connector. Can interface to Larger Graphic LCD Displays

-- Large Bread Board area

-- Two 10 pin RS232 ports

-- Pot control for one ADC channel

-- Footprint for Dinsmore 1490 Digital Compass

-- Software or jumper controllable RS232 routing

-- Footprints for additional Flash memory devices

-- 4 layer PCB

-- Battery option

-- JTAG and ZiLOG's ZDI debug interface

-- 5 1/4 inch by 9 3/4 inch

About ZiLOG, Inc.

ZiLOG, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZILG) is a global supplier of 8-bit micro logic devices. It designs, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of devices for embedded control and communication applications used in consumer electronics, home appliances, security systems, point of sales terminals, personal computer peripherals, as well as industrial and automotive applications. ZiLOG is headquartered in San Jose, California, and employs approximately 670 people worldwide with sales offices throughout Asia, Europe and North America. For more information about ZiLOG and our products, visit the Company's website at: http://www.ZiLOG.com.

ZiLOG, Z8 Encore!, Z8 Encore! XP, and eZ80Acclaim! are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZiLOG, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. Other product and or service names mentioned herein may be trademarks of the companies with which they are associated.

More News in this Category