CPU_3A

Small Size

Low Power, Simple to use

Buffalo Monitor and Basic11 Interpreter

CPU_3A FAQ

Create powerfull HC11 applications without expensive development tools

CPU_3A Info - Connections - Prices - Downloads -/- Development Board - Prices - Downloads
Update & Correction notes

Shown with a white-board marker pen for size comparison.

Shown with optional battery

The battery shown is an optional extra. The battery is not supplied as standard.

The module can be supplied with or without the header pins installed.
Supplied with header pins installed unless otherwise requested.

Think of it as a single chip processor.
Simply build your application around it.

It's well suited to classroom and hobby use because of the large amount of RAM for a low cost unit. This allows code to be developed and tested on a very short cycle. Code then load and test, and back to the code is very quick. Once the code is working in RAM it can be converted to run from Flash memory.

See also the CPU_1A series module click here

A FEW DETAILS

INTRODUCTION

The CPU_3A is a small general purpose processor module based on the popular Motorola 68HC11 microcontroller. It's designed to be mounted on another circuit board. This board provides power and interfacing to the real world.

The HC11 has a good assortment of built in I/O, including SCI and SPI communications ports, 8 bit analog to digital conversion, a versatile timer system and digital I/O lines. The majority of these are accessible on the CPU_3A. The HC11 is operated in expanded mode. This mode uses some of the digital I/O lines to interface to the on-board RAM and Flash memory.

The CPU data bus, part of the address bus and a CPU generated chip select line are available on the header connector. This allows additional I/O and interface devices to be connected to the CPU.

512K bytes of Flash memory and 128K bytes or RAM provide program and variable storage. The Flash and RAM can be used for data logging. Flash and RAM memory are accessed as banks of 64K/32K bytes. The on-board RAM and real-time-clock can be battery backed protecting time, date and data from power failure.

Jumpers allow the HC11 boot loader to be used to initialise the CPU and memory and to load program code into Flash RAM and the CPU EEPROM memory. The module can then be restarted and operated normally. There are various utilities that allow Motorola S19 files to be loaded into RAM from a PC and executed.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

The CPU_3A can be used without the need for expensive development tools. An assembler such as AS11 available free from Motorola, or a compiler will produce an S19 output file that can be transferred to the CPU_3A using the provided loader utility. The loader can automatically run the downloaded program.

Using AS11 or MiniIDE you can develop and test your own applications in HC11 assembly language. This is not as difficult as you may have heard. The CPU_3A allows you to quickly load and test your program in RAM. This is quicker than loading the Flash memory repeatedly. Once the program is ready it can be re-assembled and loaded into Flash memory where it will stay.

There are a number of suppliers of commercial assemblers, compilers, simulators and emulators. Many of these are suitable for large project development, but not cost effective for small projects or for hobby or classroom experimentation.

BUFFALO & BASIC 11

The Buffalo monitor is a very usefull development tool which allows program code being developed, to be loaded into RAM and tested. The results can be checked, the code modified and another test done. Buffalo makes this process quite simple and relatively quick.

Basic11 is a simple but powerfull Basic language interpreter that resides in Flash memory on the CPU_3A board. Using a communications program (like HyperTerminal) connected to the CPU_3A board, the Basic program is written and tested. When complete, the program can be saved to Flash memory. The board is then able to automatically run the basic program whenever power is applied.

FEATURES

  • Small size = 81mm wide x 45mm deep x 13mm high (with jumpers)

  • Connections = two 26 way, 0.1 inch pitch, double row headers
  • Mounting = normally supported by the two connection headers
  • Construction = double sided circuit board with surface mount components
  • CPU & clock = Motorola MC68HC11F1CFN4 with an 16MHz crystal
  • Mode = expanded mode, the HC11F1 is non-multiplexed
  • Flash memory = 512K bytes in eight 64K banks (ST 29F040)
  • RAM memory = 128K bytes in four 32K banks
  • Real-time-clock = Holtek HT1381
  • Battery backup = optional on-board for RTC and RAM
  • Power input = single 10 to 15 Volt DC @ 20mA (average)
  • Voltage regulator = 78L05, 5 Volt on-board
  • Reset = under-voltage reset and reset button
  • Boot loader using Windows HC11Boot (supplied) or other utility

OPTIONAL BATTERY BACKUP

The CPU_3A supports RTC and RAM battery backup. The battery connections are above and below the Flash memory chip. This allows a suitable battery to be soldered directly into position. The battery can be any suitable standard 3V lithium, rechargable lithium, nicad/NiMh or super-cap. Alternatively, an external 3V battery can be wired via the expansion header and a simple charge control circuit.

Because the battery is a significant cost and not required in many applications, it is not supplied as standard with the CPU_3A*.

KBD,I/O EXPANSION HEADER

This 5-pin header is intended to be used to provide a serial I/O expansion interface. It is compatible with a number of other PMB expansion modules. It can also be used to connect a standard PC keyboard with a suitable connector. This is a software driven interface.

TO MAKE IT GO

To make the CPU_3A operational you need a 10 to 15 volt regulated power supply and an RS-232 interface. PMB can supply details if required. A PC with a serial port is connected to the CPU_3A. A download utility is then able to initalise the CPU_3A and send your program code through to RAM or Flash memory.

Each CPU_3A module is supplied with the Buffalo monitor preloaded into flash memory and tested.

UPDATES & CORRECTIONS

  • Table of connections updated to correct reverse order lising of A0-A7 of expansion header.

  • RAM address line A14 is shown on the circuit diagram connected to the bank select latch. It is actually connected to the CPU address line A14.
  • The port-E terminal connections on the first version development board are incorrectly labeled. The order is E7, E3, E6, E2, E5, E1, E4, E0, with E7 at the corner of the board.

CAUTION

CPU_3A* I/O connections are rated at 5 volts. Only the input power supply is able to withstand a higher voltage, and then not more than 15VDC. I/O connections will be damaged if more than 5 Volts is applied.

The Development board (below) provides protection for the CPU_3A*.
This is ideal for experimenting, classroom and general use.

CONNECTIONS

The following table shows the function assigned to each of the 57 connector pins. If you are not familiar with the HC11, the manual or data sheet will be required to sort out some of the meaning.

Left End Header (next to CPU) Power in and CPU I/O

1

PE7

direct connect

analog input

.

2

PE3

direct connect

analog input

.

3

PE6

direct connect

analog input

.

4

PE2

direct connect

analog input

.

5

PE5

direct connect

analog input

.

6

PE1

direct connect

analog input

.

7

PE4

direct connect

analog input

.

8

PE8

direct connect

analog input

.

9

XIRQ

direct connect

input

non-maskable interrupt

10

IRQ

direct connect

input

interrupt, shared with kbd,i/o port

11

PA0

direct connect

digital I/O

.

12

PA1

direct connect

digital I/O

.

13

PA2

direct connect

digital I/O

.

14

PA3

direct connect

digital I/O

.

15

PA4

direct connect

digital I/O

.

16

PA5

direct connect

digital I/O

.

17

PA6

direct connect

digital I/O

.

18

PA7

direct connect

digital I/O

.

19

PD4

direct connect

digital I/O

.

20

PD5

direct connect

digital I/O

.

21

PD2

direct connect

digital I/O

.

22

PD3

direct connect

digital I/O

.

23

PD0

direct connect

RXD

SCI, serial port

24

PD1

direct connect

TXD

SCI, serial port

25

+V

power supply

.

+10 to +15 volts DC (main supply)

26

COM

power supply

.

common

Right End Header (next to reset button) System Expansion and control signals

1

+5V

supply out

.

maximum load = 75mA

2

COM

power supply

.

common

3

RST

reset

reset

.

4

A10

direct connect

address bus

.

5

A9

direct connect

address bus

.

6

A8

direct connect

address bus

.

7

A7

direct connect

address bus

.

8

A6

direct connect

address bus

.

9

A5

direct connect

address bus

.

10

A4

direct connect

address bus

.

11

A3

direct connect

address bus

.

12

A2

direct connect

address bus

.

13

A1

direct connect

address bus

.

14

A0

direct connect

address bus

.

15

CE

chip enable

.

.

16

VBAT

.

.

memory backup battery

17

E

E clock

control signal

.

18

R/W

read/write

control signal

.

19

D0

direct connect

data bus

.

20

D2

direct connect

data bus

.

21

D3

direct connect

data bus

.

22

D4

direct connect

data bus

.

23

D5

direct connect

data bus

.

24

D1

direct connect

data bus

.

25

D7

via 1K resistor

data bus

.

26

D6

direct connect

data bus

.

KBD,I/O Header (next to CPU) Serial I/O expansion

1

+5V

supply out

.

max load = 50mA

2

COM

power supply

.

common

3

DAT

via 470R resistor

exp data

to CPU IRQ

4

CLK

via 470R resistor

exp clock

to CPU PG2 (shared with RTC)

5

IRQ

via 470R resistor

exp interrupt

to CPU PG3

.

.

.

.

.

click for larger image

example of vertical mounting

rear view

Pricing

Prices shown are in New Zealand Dollars and exclude GST.
Sales outside of New Zealand prices will be charged at the current exchange rate
GST is only charged on sales within New Zealand

assembled modules

package

part number

1 to 24

25 to 49

50 up

CPU_3A* module only,
HC11F1, 128K RAM, 512K Flash

-

YTMGPC3AM

$79.00
email

email

email

CPU_3A* + Development Bd, (starter devel-bd, can be expanded)

-

YTMGPC3AP

$165.00
email

email

email

CPU_3A* + Development Bd, (devel-bd has all features fitted)

comming soon

YTMGPC3AQ

$240.00
email

email

email

Note: The CPU_3A* is not supplied as a bare PCB or kit.

Order and Shipping information

Files available for Download

Circuit Diagram (pdf)

HC11Boot Loader (zip)

Memory map (.asm)

Code Examples (zip)

Clock data sheet (pdf)

Reset/Boot Operation (pdf)

F.A.Q

Buffalo Monitor (zip)

CPU_3A2 Connections (pdf)

Basic11 Interpreter

RTC code example (asm) new

To other download page


DEVELOPMENT BOARD

The EVB development board supports the CPU_3A module for development, experimentation and programming. The development board is not required for development if providing your own interfacing or building the CPU_3A into your own product. It's a simple platform for getting started; supplying power to the CPU_3A and an RS-232 port for programming.

EVB_5A - FEATURES

The EVB_5A can be supplied in one of two forms:

The basic version provides the same features as the original EVB_3A but can be upgraded to provide the additional features by adding components. The majority of the smaller SMD components are already on-board. Upgrading involves soldering on additional components and connectors.

  • Onboard 5 Volt power supply from a 9V to 18V DC input

  • One RS-232 port (9 pin D), with LED data indicators
  • On-board piezo buzzer
  • Screw terminals for ports E, A and part of D.
  • I/O via screw terminals includes on-board signal conditioning.
  • Expansion connection via box headers for ribbon cable connection.
  • Three high current outputs (mosfet, open drain, 1A max.)
  • The CPU_3A module plugs into two 26 way sockets on the board
  •  Size = 170 mm by 90 mm by 30mm (approx)
  • The development board is supplied on it's own or with a CPU_3A cpu module

The fully featured version provides the same features as the original EVB_3A but includes the following additional features via three on-board serially connected microcontrollers:

    The main micro provides:

  • 6 additional Analog inputs
  • 6 additional open-collector 200mA outputs
  • parallel LCD interface (very similar to our ???_???)
  • 4x4 keypad interface
  • RS-485 serial interface
    The second micro provides:
  • connection to a 434 MHz transmitter and receiver

The second micro provides:

  •  connection to an IR transmitter and receiver

 

With CPU_3A3, click for larger image.

Top - full featured version with CPU_3A3

Underside - full featured version

Notes:

The additional microcontrollers are: one PIC16F876A and two PIC12F675. ICSP headers are provided on-board.

Original Version - EVB_3A
We are not currently supply the EVB_3A version except on special order (20 MOQ)

With CPU_3A2, click for larger image.

Shown without CPU_3A2 module

  • Onboard 5 Volt power supply from a 9V to 18V DC input

  • One RS-232 port (9 pin D), with LED data indicators
  • On-board piezo buzzer
  • Screw terminals for ports E, A and part of D.
  • I/O via screw terminals includes on-board signal conditioning.
  • Expansion connection via box headers for ribbon cable connection.
  • Three high current outputs (mosfet, open drain, 1A max.)
  • The CPU_3A* module plugs into two 26 way sockets on the board
  • Size = 140 mm by 95 mm (approx)
  • The development board is supplied on it's own or with a CPU_3A* cpu module
  • When supplied with, the cpu module can be socketed or soldered to the development board.

To make use of the board, a 12V DC plug-pack or bench supply, 9 pin male to PC serial cable and a CPU_3A module will be required.

Pricing - (new version)

Prices shown are in New Zealand Dollars and exclude GST.
Sales outside of New Zealand prices will be charged at the current exchange rate
GST is only charged on sales within New Zealand

assembled modules

package

part number

1 to 24

25 to 49

50 up

Development board - BASIC
Basic Version

EVB_5A1

YMEVB5A1P

$98.00
email

email

email

Development board - FULL
Fully populated Version

EVB_5A1

YMEVB5A1Q

$185.00
email

email

email

Note: The Development-Board is not supplied as a bare PCB or kit.

Order and Shipping information

Files available for Download

EVB_3A4 Schematic (pdf) updated

Operating Instructions (pdf)

.

EVB_3A3 board overlay (pdf)

EVB_3A4 board overlay (pdf)

.

NOTES:

  • Our numbering system CPU_3A2.

      "CPU_3" describes the product
      "A" describes the board or module
      "2" describes the revision.

PMB home

last updated: 06 May 2009