Posted by This is in continuation of my last article on ECU Automotive Development Board
Final Design
We have selected the optimal solution based on its working, ease of use, relatively inexpensive implementation. The final design will feature LPC1547JBD48 as the main microcontroller with USB Bootloader deployed to upload the firmware. The development board will include an infused CAN Transceiver MCP2551 and CP2102N as USB-UART bridge. The board will exploit Switch Matrix feature of the LPC1547. The board will also feature ready to use I2C Bus Interface without any external hardware.
Implementation Details
Implementation or execution is the phase where all the plans and designing techniques that are dumped on hardware to work in real time efficiently. Implementation of projects allows end-users to have access to better services.
White Box
The White Box of the Development Board is shown below:
Schematics
The Schematics of the project is shown below:
Schematics of Development Board (Designed using ALTIUM Designer 17)
PCB Design
The PCB implementation of the project is shown below in Figure 1. The 3D view of the development board is shown in figure 2 (Note – All components are not installed; The).
Figure 1: PCB Design of Development Board (Designed using ALTIUM Designer 17)
Figure 2: 3D view of Development Board (In ALTIUM Designer 17)
Features of the Developmrnt Board
• Compatible with MCUXpresso and Keil.
• Supports both C/C++ for firmware development.
• Switch Matrix helps end user to design flexibly. Any GPIO can be assigned with any digital function.
• The USB bootloader helps end user to copy paste the firmware with ease. No other third party softwares are required.
• Firmware development using Python is compatible using micro-Python. But this makes the system slow and consumes more RAM.
Limitations of the Developmrnt Board
• Not compatable for image processing.
• Not compatable for Digital Signal Processing.
• Complex firmware development using Python is not compatible.
Result Analysis
The Development Board is made relatively inexpensive compared to other similar products currently available in the market. The Switch Matrix feature makes the platform more flexible and scalable. The infused CAN Transceiver makes the platform ready-to- use for ECU development and other automobile projects. This platform can be used for RTOS and robotics projects.
The MCUXpresso IDE by NXP Semiconductors or Keil by ARM both cam be used to program the board. Since drivers are readily available in MCUXpresso the firmware development is easy. C/C++ both languages are compatible for firmware development. The code is compiled and .bin file is generated. This .bin file is copied to board by entering USB boot mode. The board is detected as Removable USB drive when RST button is pressed holding ISP1 button.
The board also features TEST-LED connected to P0.18 pin. It also has Rx and Tx LED for serial communication. Rx and Tx LED blink when 1 byte is received or sent via UART.
With all the above features the board is ready to use and explore the world of Embedded system.
Conclusion
This system works well and the experimental results are in accordance with the expectations. The USB and Serial bootloader works as expected. The CPU can run at speed up to 72MHz, currently the board uses 12MHz crystal. Hence the hardware works according to expectations. However, the operating speed can be increased or decreased by programming the board as per the needs. Further improvements that can be achieved are adding external Memory, replacing all through hole components by SMD this makes board more compact and this reduces fabrication cost
Future scope
Since it is less expensive compared to currently available similar products. This plat form has the potential to replace development boards in labs. Students or hobbyists can afford it and can have Embedded System Lab in their pocket. Mobile application can be developed to program this board with smartphone. A WiFi module can be integrated into the board, this can be further developed to achieve wireless programmability.
Application in the societal context
Application of this development board in societal context is mainly for hobbyist, learner, developers. With this system we can also reduce cost of ECU Development. Therefore, in future, the user community of this board will help as a platform for innovative project for both hobbyists and professional developers.
In the next article, I will share information on hardware design and some basic code used for testing.
Project Information
ECU Development Board
Team : Chetan Salimath , Goutham Uttarkar , Jagadeesh Jatti, Jaishankar Navani
Under the guidance of : Prof. Tanuja V. Javali
Author Goutham Uttarkar
Goutham Uttarkar is a B-Tech Electrical , Electronics and Communication Engineering graduate from KLE Technological University , Hubballi (India). He is an active electronics enthusiast with good knowledge in understanding of Analog Circuit Design and Semiconductor Physics. He has worked in Worked on 180nm, 90nm, 45nm, 15nm & 7nm FinFET technology nodes. He also has hands on experience of Cadence and Synopsys EDA Tools
Thanks for reading till end. If you liked it, Please share in your network.
Have a look at Embedkari Low Cost Products
You may find interesting topics at HowTo
Also subscribe Embedkari for other interesting topics.