56800/E 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. Windows Vista issues with Processor Expert
2. How to find out the version of the currently installed Processor Expert?
3. How to install update package?
4. What is a speed mode?
5. Peripheral Initialization beans in CodeWarrior 6.1 have been renamed?
6. How to obtain evaluation licence for CodeWarrior?
7. After the conversion of a Processor Expert project from CodeWarrior 6.x into the CodeWarrior 7 the CodeWarrior reports errors regarding the following files: PE_FlexCANMB.C and PE_Quad_Decoder.C
8. Sample serial bootloader project doesn't work.
9. The method GetVal() of the BitIO bean returns values other than 0 or 1.
10. Where a revision history of Processor Expert and Embedded Beans can be found?

1. Windows Vista issues with Processor Expert

This issue relates to CodeWarrior for MCU 6.x, CodeWarrior for ColdFire 7.x and CodeWarrior for DSC 8.2. There are the following known problems in ProcessorExpert under Windows Vista operating system, if CodeWarrior is installed to "Program Files" folder:

1. Update of ProcessorExpert from an update package fails (cannot write *.drv or *.dll file to the disk)
2. Free Beans installation in ProcessorExpert fails (cannot write *.drv file to the disk)
3. Bean Wizard cannot save a new created bean (cannot write *.drv file to the disk)
4. Some user modifications, settings or installed updates may not be accessible or may not preserve, if the user logs in Windows Vista with a different account.

• Workaround 1: Install CodeWarrior V6.1 to a different location than Program Files folder (or any Windows related folder)
• Workaround 2: Run CodeWarrior in the administrator mode. Set "{CodeWarrior folder}\bin\IDE.exe -> Properties -> Compatibility -> Run this program as administrator" option on.
• Workaround 3: Add modify and write permissions to "Users" account for CodeWarrior's folder. {CodeWarrior folder} -> Properties -> Security -> Users, add modify and write permissions.

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. Peripheral Initialization beans in CodeWarrior 6.1 have been renamed?

6. 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.

7. After the conversion of a Processor Expert project from CodeWarrior 6.x into the CodeWarrior 7 the CodeWarrior reports errors regarding the following files: PE_FlexCANMB.C and PE_Quad_Decoder.C

These files are not generated anymore in the version 7 and need to be removed from the CodeWarrrior file list. Switch to the Files tab in the CodeWarrior project panel remove all files in a Generated Code folder. User Remove command from pop-up menu invoked with right button click on the folder. Then make the project again. The list of the generated files will be rebuilt.

8. Sample serial bootloader project doesn't work.

The serial bootloader project is available using main menu command within Processor Expert Examples Stationery. Use the following steps to create and customize the serial bootloader:

• Select File - New... command from CodeWarrior's main menu.
• After typing a new name for bootloader project select Processor Expert Stationery.
• Select Bootloaders / {CPU family} / serial_bootloader.
• Within a Processor Expert project panel tab activate an appropriate configuration for your CPU (The name of the configuration is {CPUname}BootLoader) and you can use the pop-up menu for the configuration invoked by right mouse button click and select Select Configuration as Active command.
• Configure the beans to suit the hardware used. The default configuration suits the Freescale EVM boards with the exception of 56F832x and 812x. boards that use SCI1 port instead of SCI0 - modify this in the properties of the SCI Asynchroserial bean by changing the Channel property.
• For 56F8322 and 56F8323 CPUs there is additionally necessary to open the CPU bean inspector and change the Clock source property to Internal On-chip relaxation oscillator.
• Now you can build the Bootloader project and burn it into the hardware. After CPU reset you sould see the bootloader version message on the terminal.
• An application (created in Processor Expert) that will be downloaded using the serial bootloader needs to have Serial bootloader support property within the CPU bean Build options set to Yes. A Boot start delay property allows user to specify a time that will the bootloader wait before passing control to the application.
• For mode details on EVM board setup and application downloading process please see the PDF document available in Bootloaders section of the help page available using CodeWarrior menu Help / Freescale {CPU family} PDF index.

9. 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.

10. 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.

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