MPC5500 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

On this page we try to answer some of the questions people ask us the most. Check here for a regularly updated list of the frequently asked questions about our products. If you don't find the answer to your query below and require further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Contents:

1. How to find out the version of the currently installed Processor Expert?
2. How to install update package?
3. What is a speed mode?
4. How to obtain evaluation licence for CodeWarrior?
5. The method GetVal() of the BitIO bean returns values other than 0 or 1.
6. Where a revision history of Processor Expert and Embedded Beans can be found?
7. How to find out the version of the currently installed Processor Expert?
8. How to install update package?
9. What compilers & versions does Processor Expert support?
10. I cannot compile a project with Diab 5.2.0.0 without errors.
11. The code compiled with Green Hills compiler contains some invalid instructions
12. The ELF file generated with Green Hills compiler cannot be debugged in other compilers

1. How to find out the version of the currently installed Processor Expert?

The version information is available in the 'About' dialog that can be invoked using the menu command 'Help | Processor Expert | About Processor Expert'.

Figure 1 - Example of the About Dialog

2. How to install update package?

• ensure that the package is for you version of Processor Expert. For example the 'Processor Expert 2.92.02 patch' is a patch number 2 for the Processor Expert version 2.92.
• the bean update package file must have extension *.PEupd. If the extension is different, please follow the installation instructions for the package.
• start any Processor Expert project in CodeWarrior (or create a new one)
• from the CodeWarrior main menu select: "Processor Expert | Update | Update Processor Expert from Package..."
• enter path and name to downloaded update file
• Processor Expert shows you information about update contents
• on dialog "Proceed update?" click Yes
• then the update is automatically executed
• After successful installation of update package reload actual project or restartProcessor Expert

3. What is a speed mode?

There are some reasons to change MCU clock rate in the application, for example because of a lower power supply. Processor Expert support up to three different speed modes (in the CPU bean setting). The speed modes can be switched in runtime without any affect to the timing of beans. It is possible to select main prescaler value, sub-clock mode and PLL settings for each of them (if supported) in the CPU bean:

• High speed mode - this mode is selected after reset and must be enabled in the project. This speed mode must be the fastest mode of the CPU.
• Low speed mode - this mode is usually for another PLL or main prescaler settings.
• Slow speed mode - this mode is usually used for sub-clock mode of the CPU. This mode must be the slowest mode of the CPU.

Timed beans which depends on the MCU clock (such as timer, communication and conversion beans), may support speed modes defined in the CPU bean (in EXPERT view level). The Processor Expert allows the user to set closest values for the bean timing in all speed modes (if possible). If the requested timing is not supported by the bean, for example if the MCU clock is too low for the correct function of the bean, the bean can be disabled for the appropriate speed mode.

The mode can be switched in the runtime by a CPU method. The bean timing is then automatically configured for the appropriate speed mode or the bean is disabled (according to the setting).

More information about the speed modes can be found in the Processor Expert help.

4. How to obtain evaluation licence for CodeWarrior?

To get a free evaluation licence for CodeWarrior, run the 'Register CodeWarrior' shortcut created by the installation script and contact license@metrowerks.com.

5. The method GetVal() of the BitIO bean returns values other than 0 or 1.

This behaviour is correct. Please notice that TRUE value for boolean type is defined in ANSI-C as any non-zero value. Thus, user shouldn't rely on numerical value of the TRUE with boolean type. The result of the GetVal() method can be directly used as ordinary C boolean value in commands like if or while but the statements like (MyBit_GetVal() == TRUE) are incorrect. This limitation is useful because it allows Processor Expert and compiler to generate faster and shorter code in most common situations. The expression ((Bit1_GetVal())?(byte)1:(byte)0) can be used in application code to get numerical values (0/1) if it is necessary.

6. Where a revision history of Processor Expert and Embedded Beans can be found?

The changes influencing the whole Processor Expert or changing bean's behavior or interface can be found in ReadMe.txt file in ProcessorExpert directory. This file can be easily opened using the menu command Help - Processor Expert - View Read Me.
A detailed revisions for every bean is available using a command View Installed Beans Overview. The BeanInfo and DriverInfo options in View menu need to be set to FULL and the revision text is available after placing the mouse cursor on the revision.
The description of changes done in each Processor Expert patch are described within the patch description.

Contents:

1. How to find out the version of the currently installed Processor Expert?
2. How to install update package?
3. What is a speed mode?
4. How to obtain evaluation licence for CodeWarrior?
5. The method GetVal() of the BitIO bean returns values other than 0 or 1.
6. Where a revision history of Processor Expert and Embedded Beans can be found?
7. How to find out the version of the currently installed Processor Expert?
8. How to install update package?
9. What compilers & versions does Processor Expert support?
10. I cannot compile a project with Diab 5.2.0.0 without errors.
11. The code compiled with Green Hills compiler contains some invalid instructions
12. The ELF file generated with Green Hills compiler cannot be debugged in other compilers
13. How to find out the version of the currently installed Processor Expert?
14. How to install update package?
15. What is a speed mode?
16. How to obtain evaluation licence for CodeWarrior?
17. The method GetVal() of the BitIO bean returns values other than 0 or 1.
18. Where a revision history of Processor Expert and Embedded Beans can be found?

1. How to find out the version of the currently installed Processor Expert?

The version information is available in the 'About' dialog that can be invoked using the menu command 'Help | About Processor Expert'.

Figure 2 - Example of the About Dialog

2. How to install update package?

• ensure that the package is for you version of Processor Expert. For example the 'Processor Expert 2.92.02 patch' is a patch number 2 for the Processor Expert version 2.92.
• the bean update package file must have extension *.PEupd. If the extension is different, please follow the installation instructions for the package.
• from the main menu select: "Options | Update Processor Expert from Package..."
• enter path and name to downloaded update file
• Processor Expert shows you information about update contents
• on dialog "Proceed update?" click Yes
• then the update is automatically executed
• After successful installation of update package reload current project or restart Processor Expert

3. What compilers & versions does Processor Expert support?

• Metrowerks PowerPC C Compiler, V1.5 Beta 2
• WindRiver PowerPC C Compiler, Diab 5.2.0.0
• Green Hills PowerPC C Compiler, MULTI 4.0.2

4. I cannot compile a project with Diab 5.2.0.0 without errors.

• Change default target to MPC5554 or
• add a compilator option to specify the target, e.g. "-tPPC5554EH". (Add this option using dedicated "Other linker parameters" property. This property can be found in the Bean Inspector of CPU bean on the Build options tab in the Compiler subgroup.)

5. The code compiled with Green Hills compiler contains some invalid instructions

6. The ELF file generated with Green Hills compiler cannot be debugged in other compilers

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