Patent Application
20240028807
This application claims the priority from TW Patent Application No. 111127256, filed on Jul. 20, 2022, and all contents of such TW Patent Applications are included in the present disclosure.
The present disclosure relates to a technology for developing microcontroller application circuits, in particular to, an online integrated microcontroller development tool system that assist clients in developing microcontroller application circuits of various application functions and achieve simple operation, saving development time, the method for implementing the same and a microcontroller development combination kit.
Microcontroller (MCU) is a microcomputer. A complete microcontroller can be integrated a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an input/output (I/O), an analog-to-digital converter (A/D) or other functions related to memory and operation in one chip to meet the needs of different applications to do different combinations of controls. Thus, the microcontrollers have derived many uses, such as integrated circuit (IC) products for automotive electronics, smart home electronics and cloud security.
Although the application of the microcontrollers is extensive, developers of the microcontroller application circuits must understand both software and hardware knowledge. To a certain extent, it slows down the development of microcontroller application circuits. Additionally, there are too many types of system architectures and suppliers of conventional microcontroller development tools, and there is no unified development tool. Therefore, there is a need for a system that can assist program developers in developing and integrating microcontrollers, so as to save time and labor costs in developing microcontroller application circuits.
According to the purposes of the present disclosure, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an online integrated microcontroller development tool system. The online integrated microcontroller development tool system comprises a pin required module, a functional component module and a description code project output module. The pin required module is signally coupled to a database. The pin required module is configured to select a suitable model number from the database according to a pin requirement information of a client, perform a pin arrangement on a microcontroller block of the suitable model number, and output the microcontroller block with a plurality of arranged pins. The functional component module is signally coupled to the pin required module and the database. The functional component module is configured to select a functional component according to a functional component requirement information, and connect the microcontroller block with the plurality of arranged pins to the pin required module to generate a circuit structure. The description code project output module is signally coupled to the functional component module. The description code project output module is configured to output a microcontroller application circuit hardware description code based on the circuit structure.
According to the purposes of the present disclosure, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of implementing an online integrated microcontroller development tool, and the method comprises steps as follows. A suitable model number is selected from a database according to a pin requirement information of a client. A pin arrangement is performed on a microcontroller block corresponding to the suitable model number. The microcontroller block with a plurality of arranged pins is outputted. A functional component is selected from the database based on a functional component requirement information. Then, the microcontroller block with the plurality of arranged pins is connected to the functional component. A circuit structure is generated. A microcontroller application circuit hardware description code is outputted based on the circuit structure.
According to the purposes of the present disclosure, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a microcontroller development combination kit. The microcontroller development combination kit includes a non-transitory storage media and a development board. The non-transitory storage media is configured to make a computer device communicatively coupled to the online integrated microcontroller development tool system. As well, the non-transitory storage media is configured to execute the preceding method of the implementing the online integrated microcontroller development tool through the online integrated microcontroller development tool system.
To sum up, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide the online integrated microcontroller development tool system and a method of implementing the same. The online integrated microcontroller development tool system allows program developers to develop microcontroller application circuits according to requirements, and the online integrated microcontroller development tool system can automatically provide relevant circuit application diagrams and microcontroller application circuit hardware description codes. Also, the online integrated microcontroller development tool system can complete tests of the microcontroller application circuit hardware description codes. Therefore, the development time and development cost of the program developers are saved.
To further understand the technology, means, and effects of the present disclosure, reference may be made by the detailed description and drawing as follows. Accordingly, the purposes, features and concepts of the present disclosure can be thoroughly and concretely understood. However, the following detail description and drawings are only used to reference and illustrate the implementation of the present disclosure, and they are not used to limit the present disclosure.
The drawings are provided to make the persons with ordinary knowledge in the field of the art further understand the present disclosure, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification of the present disclosure. The drawings illustrate demonstrated embodiments of the present disclosure, and are used to explain the principal of the present disclosure together with the description of the present disclosure.
The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail as reference, and the drawings of the present disclosure are illustrated. In the case of possibility, the element symbols are used in the drawings to refer to the same or similar components. In addition, the embodiment is only one approach of the implementation of the design concept of the present disclosure, and the following multiple embodiments are not intended to limit the present disclosure.
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an online integrated microcontroller development tool system. The online integrated microcontroller development tool system can be configured as a platform for clients to quickly develop microcontroller application circuits. Further, the online integrated microcontroller development tool system selects a microcontroller with a suitable model number according to pin requirements of a client (or a program developer), arranges a plurality of pins for the microcontroller, and automatically provides a corresponding circuit structure. Next, the online integrated microcontroller development tool system generates a microcontroller application circuit hardware description code and a test circuit hardware description code based on the circuit structure. In addition, the online integrated microcontroller development tool system can compile the microcontroller application circuit hardware description code and the test circuit hardware description code of the microcontroller to generate a corresponding hardware description compiled code. The hardware description compiled code lets the client to perform tests on a development board. Simply speaking, the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide the online integrated microcontroller development tool system to assist the client in producing various microcontroller application circuits and testing the running state thereof.
Refer to
The functional component module 230 is configured to select a functional component from the database according to a functional component requirement information, and the functional component module 230 is configured to make the microcontroller block with the plurality of arranged pins be connected to the functional component to generate a corresponding circuit structure. Then, the description code project output module 240 is configured to output a microcontroller application circuit hardware description code based on the circuit structure. As well, the description code project output module 240 uploads the microcontroller application circuit hardware description code to the database 220. Moreover, the circuit structure includes an application circuit structure of the microcontroller and an application circuit structure of the functional component. The above actions are all completed online by the client. In this way, a development platform that provides diversified microcontroller application circuits can be achieved, and the development efficiency can be improved.
Further, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a test circuit project output module 250 and an online program development-compilation module 260. The test circuit project output module 250 is configured to form and output a test circuit hardware description code, and to upload the test circuit hardware description code to the database 220. The online program development-compilation module 260 is configured to compile the microcontroller application circuit hardware description code and the test circuit hardware description code to generate a hardware description compiled code. Also, the program development-compilation module 260 provides the client with the hardware description compiled code to download to a development board 300 for testing.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the description code project output module 240 further outputs an application programming interface (API), a driver or a third-party code library to the computer device 100 which is connected to the development board 300. Also, the description code project output module 240 further outputs a circuit application diagram of the functional component and the microcontroller to the client.
By the way, the pin requirement information further includes a functional requirement, an operating voltage, an operating frequency, a digital-to-analog conversion resolution, a bit rate, a core type, a power consumption, a minimum operating temperature, a maximum temperature or a combination thereof for each pin.
Another purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a method of implementing an online integrated microcontroller development tool. The method is implemented through the online integrated microcontroller development tool system 200. Refer to
Further, proceeding to step S203, the functional component module 230 selects the corresponding functional component from the database 220 according to functional component requirement information. The functional component module 230 connects the microcontroller block with arranged pins to the functional component to generate the circuit structure. Then, in step S204, the description code project output module 240 outputs the microcontroller application circuit hardware description code based on the circuit structure.
Furthermore, in step S205, the test circuit project output module 250 forms and outputs the test circuit hardware description code. In step S206, the online program development-compilation module 260 compiles the microcontroller application circuit hardware description code and the test circuit hardware description code to generate the hardware description compiled code. Next, in step S207, the hardware description compiled code is provided for the client to download to the development board 300 for testing. The test mainly focuses on testing the power consumption, performance and area of the microcontroller.
Then, proceeding to step S208, when a test result does not meet the client's expectation, for example, the circuits are too close, there is too much noise or the level of the selected microcontroller does not meet the client's needs, etc., go back to step S202. In step S202, the pin required module 210 re-selects the suitable model number, and re-arrange the pins on the microcontroller block. When the test result meets the client's expectation, the process enters to S209, the test is completed.
Taking a first example for further explanation, refer to
Next, after the pin required module 210 receives the mentioned pin requirement information, the pin required module 210 selects a suitable model number (eg, MCU-300, but the present disclosure is not limited to this model number) from the database. Also, the pin required module 210 automatically arranges the pins on the microcontroller block corresponding to the suitable model number (MCU-300). The functional component module 230 selects the corresponding functional components, such as a temperature sensor 310, a WiFi module 320, a serial peripheral interface flash memory 330 (SPI flash), and other functional components. Then, the functional component module 230 makes the abovementioned functional components be connected to the microcontroller block with arranged pins to generate the corresponding circuit structure.
Describing in more detail, the 13th and the 14th pins are connected to the WiFi module 320. The 13th pin is a transmit data (TXD) pin of the UART, and the 14th is a receive data (RXD) pin of the UART. The 17th and the 18th pins are connected to the temperature sensor 310. The 17th pin is a serial clock (SCL) pin of the I2C to start or stop transmission and transmit a clock sequence, and the 18th is a serial data (SDA) pin of the I2C for transmission data. The 41st to 44th pins are SPI pins, and the 41th to 44th pins are connected to SPI flash 330. The 41st pin is a slave select (SS) pin of the SPI, the 42nd is a serial clock (SCLK) pin of the SPI, the 43rd is a master input, slave output (MISO) pin of the SPI, and the 44th is master output, slave input (MOSI) pin of the SPI.
It is understood that the suitable model number (MCU-300) of the first example has other functional pins. As shown in
Alternatively, the client also reserves pins for future functions to be develop. For instance, if the client wants that temperature sensor 310 has an audio function, the client can reserve the SPI pins to connect to an audio module.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a microcontroller development combination kit (not shown in figures) is also provided. The microcontroller development combination kit includes a non-transitory storage media (not shown in figures) and the mentioned development board 300. The non-transitory storage media stores a plurality of description codes. The non-transitory storage media is configured to execute the method for implementing the online integrated microcontroller development tool via the online integrated microcontroller development tool system 200.
Additionally, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the client connects the development board 300 online to test the microcontroller application circuit, in order to ensure that the development board 300 of the client is consistent with description codes, a driver, etc. stored in the non-transitory storage media, the codes comprise a verification program to verify the development board 300. After the development board 300 is verified, the computer device 100 is allowed to communicate with the online integrated microcontroller development tool system 200 to perform subsequent testing of the microcontroller application circuit.
However, the hardware description compiled code generated above is an idealized case. In the practical test, the test results may not meet the client's expectations, because, for example, the circuit routings are too close (may cause inductive coupling), clock of the function implementation is not synchronous, or the specification of the microcontroller do not meet the requirements, etc. Therefore, by testing, the client is able to understand whether the data output by the developed microcontroller meets the expectations, especially for the power consumption, performance (accuracy) and area test. The client can re-select the suitable model number which is more in line with the actual requirement. Then, the pin required module 210 re-arranges the pins according to the pin requirement information, and regenerate the application circuit to implement the microcontroller application circuit, or to optimize the microcontroller application circuit.
Further, taking a second example, refer to
Therefore, the client selects the specification as Flash 256 Kb in the online integrated microcontroller development tool system 200. As shown in Table 2 below, the microcontroller block at least has pins such as UART pins, I2C pins, SPI pins, USB pins and so on.
As shown in
As shown in
Based on the above, the circuit structure is generated by the functional component module 230, and the description code project output module 240 generates the microcontroller application circuit hardware description code based on the circuit structure. Next, the test circuit project output module 250 forms and outputs the test circuit hardware description code. Then, the online program development-compilation module 260 generates the hardware description compiled code, so that the microcontroller can execute the functions of sensing the gravity and presenting the data on the display screen.
Next, the hardware description compiled code generated by the online program development-compilation module 260 can be provided to the client to download to the development board 300 for testing. The application circuit of the microcontroller (MCU-1000) can be tested after the development board 300 of the client is connected to the computer device 100 and verified successfully.
Moreover, the microcontroller (MCU-1000) may be configured in devices such as a pedometer, a dashcam, or exercise intensity detectors. Although the devices are related to the application circuits of the G-sensor, the accuracy requirements of the G-sensor for corresponding devices are different from each other. For instance, the accuracy requirement of the dashcam is higher than that of the pedometer, and the accuracy requirement is related to the data processing capability, filtering out noise and so on of the microcontroller. As a result, different accuracy of the G-sensor has different application circuit structure. Thus, after the hardware description compiled code is tested on the development board 300, it may happen that the selected suitable model number does not meet the client's expecting accuracy requirements due to the different bit requirements of the analog-to-digital converter, and the appropriate model number is re-selected.
As the stated as above, the circuit structure is an important part of developing microcontroller. As the mentioned two examples, if the circuit structure of the second example involves the amplification and filtering of the gravity signal to improve the accuracy of the gravity signal, and the hardware description compiled code must be able to control peripheral units (such as the screen display), the circuit structure involved in the second example becomes rather complicated. The online integrated microcontroller development tool system of the present disclosure can provide the clients with examples of the circuit structures, so that the clients do not need to design circuits from scratch by themselves. Moreover, the clients can modify the existing examples of the circuit structures online, so as to develop microcontrollers that meet the needs of the applications.
Furthermore, for the clients, the clients do not need to install any software, and the online platform can generate microcontrollers for different applications based on the client's own needs. Also, various circuit hardware description codes can be automatically generated, and the circuit hardware description codes can be tested with the development board. In this way, the clients can obtain related product resources simultaneously, so as to achieve the technical effects of speeding up the development process and reducing development cost. Moreover, the client's inputs and operations in the online platform are not complicated, so that a platform for diversified learning and development of microcontrollers is provided.
In addition, for developers who develop microcontrollers, because of the inputs and operations from other clients in the online integrated microcontroller development tool system, customer information and market requirements can be obtained. In this way, the embodiments of the present disclosure can provide developers with the planning direction of future products. Moreover, better digital services, more cost-effective products, etc. are provided. Therefore, the present disclosure has huge commercial value.
It should be understood that the examples and the embodiments described herein are for illustrative purpose only, and various modifications or changes in view of them will be suggested to those skilled in the art, and will be included in the spirit and scope of the application and the appendix with the scope of the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 111127256 | Jul 2022 | TW | national |
