What software is the simplest to use on Motorola HC08 development?

- J
- js1180
  
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posted
19 years ago

Sun, Jan 2, 2005 3:58 AM

I am trying to get started in mpu development. I have a Nitron HC08 development board and Metrowerks evaulation software but I am having a lot of trouble getting things to work. Every step is an effort. I think back to my days at school typing in the op codes with a keypad. It was error prone and repetitive but way more efficient then what I have been able to accomplish so far. Lots of changes from 14 years ago.

The code I have written and flashed in, (verified it's there) never runs. The PC starts at $FFFF, goes to $1, then resets due to not being able to go into background mode,it then goes to $FFEA and stays up in that region. I never setup the COP, reset vector should be taken care of by the Metrowerks software (I am modifying the standard skeleton code that the software sets up). I haven't been able to figure out that problem and am now thinking there has to be an easier way to get started.

Cosmic seems to be used a lot. I am not sure how difficult that is to setup for the HC08 using the mono8 debugger.

Right now I am just doing hobby work and do not want to spend a lot of money on a software package. I was hoping an evaluation copy would be enough. Any suggestions?

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- wade_h
  
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posted
19 years ago

Sun, Jan 2, 2005 5:24 AM

a lot

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Metrowerks

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I had the same experience: the Metrowerks software seemed to have too steep a learning curve. Eventually I downloaded an excellent, much smaller version of the IDE/assembler/debugger from P&E Micro (ISC08something) that was much easier to progress with: the app's handholding and second-guessing were almost non-existent. Another recommendation: take the time to get the User-Mode Monitor Access code into your device. Add this to the excellent debugger and programming the '08 really became as understandable and _much_ faster than back in the day. The program counter should start at FFFE, not FFFF Keep at it Wade Hassler

- P
- Paul E. Bennett
  
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posted
19 years ago

Sun, Jan 2, 2005 11:52 AM

If you read German (or can get it translated) there is a paper on implementing nanoForth. Forth is a reasonably easy environment to deal with new hardware and with this part of the work is done for you. It will, however, allow you to explore further.

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You might also be able to get ChipForth for the processor from Computer Solutions Ltd. of Forth Inc at a reasonable price these days. Alternatively, a search on "Forth for 68hc08) yields a number of interesting links (not all will be Forth related).

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- J
- Jeremy Bentham
  
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posted
19 years ago

Mon, Jan 3, 2005 12:24 PM

Codewarrior is an excellent toolset that produces good-quality code, but it is difficult to set up - when we started with the HCS08 we did try serial download, but rapidly moved on to the Multilink ICD - I'm not sure we ever got the serial debugger working properly.

We're very pleased with the HCS08-multilink combination (once we understood the strange licensing issues with the P&E debugger), but it isn't necessarily a hobbyist setup. We breifly evaluated the Cosmic offering, and it looked similar - you may have the same problems with serial download.

An ICD system may cost $200, but 14 years ago the only high-level debug option was to buy or rent a $10,000 processor emulator, so things have improved a bit...

Jeremy Bentham Iosoft Ltd.