Visual Solutions Incorporated’s VisSim/ECD Version 7.0 with support for Texas Instruments’ TMS320C2834x Delfino floating-point digital signal controllers is now available from Adept Scientific

VisSim/ECD allows developers to program the C2834x DSC without writing a single line of code by easily constructing block diagrams to form DSC algorithms. With blocks to support standard maths and signal processing operations, as well as all of the on-chip peripherals of the C2834x controllers, programming for TI DSCs is now easier than ever.

The ability to simulate algorithms on the PC allows offline troubleshooting and optimisation, shortening development time by a factor of 2 or more and removing the need for a dedicated programmer. VisSim/ECD’s advanced code generator results in faster sampling rates and low RAM usage comparable to hand-coded assembly.

“VisSim/ECD provides designers with the ability to develop an entire application based upon the C2834x controllers working only at the block diagram level while utilising the full performance of the C283xx,” said Andrew Soukup, C2000 Worldwide Marketing Manager for TI. “With this new offering, VSI allows any developer, even those without prior DSC experience, to quickly bring new products to market.”

VisSim/ECD v7.0 adds support for the increased RAM and clock speed as well as the additional CAP, SPI and floating point unit on the new C2834x controller series from TI. In addition, VisSim/ECD v7.0 adds general programming features such as:

· Automatic peripheral programming
· Easy selection of interrupts for graphical interrupt handler creation
· Stack and heap probe
· Check box enabled background thread scheduling
· State machine driven serial protocol handling
· Control sampling rates over 1MHz on C2834x parts
· Interrupt driven serial queue for SCI, I2C and SPI with user selectable queue length up to 255 bytes
· Low memory footprint uses as little as 750 words flash, 80 words RAM for PID control of a quadrature encoder sensed, PWM actuated closed loop control application

VisSim/ECD’s advanced feature set makes C and assembler programming a thing of the past. Systems designers who are unfamiliar with TI’s DSCs or hand coding can now take advantage of the simpler software development provided by the C2834x controllers, resulting in eliminating weeks – even months – of development time.

Dr Ziaur Rahman, Director of Electrical Controls at Electric Motion Systems, is using VisSim/ECD 7.0 to develop PMSM electric motor control using the TMS320F2801 controller from TI. According to Dr Rahman, “VisSim/ECD is an essential tool for us in developing vector motor controls for electric bicycles. Code development time is greatly reduced with VisSim/ECD’s ready-to-use block sets and efficient debugging capability.”