Upgrade to TExaS Version 1.37

TExaS is published with any of the three books,
Embedded Microcomputer Systems: Real Time Interfacing
2nd edition, Thomson Publishers, ISBN 0534551629 outline, lab manual, list of errors or
Introduction to Embedded Microcomputer Systems: Motorola 6811 and 6812 Simulation, Thomson Publishers, ISBN 0-534-39177-x, outline.
Introduction to Embedded Systems: Interfacing to the Freescale 9S12, Cengage 2009, outline

Eligibility to upgrade
If you purchased any of the above three books by Jonathan W. Valvano with a CD containing a previous version, then you are eligible to upgrade to TExaS Version 1.37. For students with Introduction to Embedded Systems: Interfacing to the Freescale 9S12, see download TExaS.

Reasons to upgrade to TExaS Version 1.37, version 1/19/10
1) It works in the WinXP OS.
2) It uses RTF (rich text format) program files compatible with MS Word and WordPad, making it easier to access program files on your computer.
3) Various minor improvements have been made
4) Improvements to the MC68HC711E9 and Axiom EVB simulations
5) Fixes bugs to SCI interrupts.
6) Fixes bugs with MC68HC711D3
7) RTI interrupts added
8) wai instruction simulation added
9) Hitachi HD44780 LCD simulation added
10) MC68HC711D3 expanded mode
11) Stepper motor robot simulation (v1.19)
12) Eliminates the editor jittering around with automatic-assembly-color (v1.20)
13) Fixes 6811 TMSK2 prescale bug (v1.20)
14) Automatic recolor works in both Win2000 and Win98 (v1.23)
15) Linkage to free GNU 6811/6812 compiler (v1.23)
16) Fixes SaveText bug (v1.23).
17) Better linkage to free GNU 6811/6812 compiler (v1.25)
18) Linkage to ICC12 and freeware ICC11 (v1.25)
19) Fixes analog sensor bug in stepper motor car (v1.25)
20) Fixes jitter in I/O window (v1.28)
21) Adds 9S12C32 and MC68HC711E0 expanded mode (v1.28)
22) 6811 E series simulation support bi-directional PA3 (v1.28b)
23) MC68HC11E0 expanded mode (I/O $0000 to $003F) (v1.29)
23) 80-pin version of the 9S12C32 supported (v1.30)
24) Quick assembly help (v1.30)
25) Detects faults when switch is connected to output pin (v1.30)
26) Block memory view added to stack window (v1.30)
27) 9S12C32 RTI rate fixed (v1.31)
28) Fixes editor/assembler crash with long labels, dbne and out of range (v1.31)
29) Stepper sensors work at startup (v1.31)
30) Switches can be positive or negative logic (v1.31)
31) LEDs can be positive or negative logic (v1.31)
32) Much improved linkage when importing from Metrowerks (v1.31)
33) Can specify the number of DAC bits from 1 to 8 (v1.33)
34) More interactive programming help (right) click (v1.33)
35) Automatic program saving and backup creation (v1.33)
36) Assemble and compile buttons on the toolbar (v1.33)
37) Automatic comment and uncomment commands (v1.33)
38) 9S12DP512 simulation (v1.33)
39) GCC11 open source compiler for the 6811 (v1.33)
40) Fixed PLL bug with 9S12DP512 (v1.34)
41) Real 9S12 mode for 9S12C32 and 9S12DP512 (v1.35)
I tested this version on a four different Technological Arts boards: 9S12C32, 9S12DP512, 9S12E128, and a 9S12NE64. An interesting crash occurs when you place an address in the ViewBox like PTT then set a breakpoint on that same address, PTT. Breakpoints will unfortunately occur in the serial monitor code itself, when TExaS is populating its ViewBox with the PTT data. Therefore, TExaS will not start if there is breakpoint address that matches a ViewBox entry. The 9S12 has a queue to prefetch instructions; this sometimes causes a breakpoint to stop on the previous instruction. Similarly, because breakpoint hardware must be set to an even address, if the desired breakpoint is at an odd address, then the hardware will break on the preceding even address. Scanpoints are checked at a rate of 10 times per second (I am still thinking about a reasonable rate).
42) The stepper motor maze was modified so it can be used to simulate the outer walls and motion of the TRobots competition (v1.36).
43) Many of the popup windows have been replaced with warnings written to the LogFile. This makes the simulation faster because you do have to scroll the mouse to dismiss the error, and it provides a record of the debugging actions.
44) Added slide pot simulator for ADC (v1.36)
45) SCI input/output can be ASCII decimal or hexadecimal (v1.36)
46) Corrects minor bugs in previousV1.36 published in Fall 2008.
47) Both assembly and C listing files from Metrowerks can be imported into TExaS (v1.37). Run the help for the Mode->OpenS19Mode command to see additional features for simulating Metrowerks projects. Some minor flaws still exist. If you use the same assembly language label in two separate files, the label will exist twice in the symbol table, and the address field in the listing file for one of the labels will have the address of the other label. If you use an org statement in assembly without adding a label, the address field in the listing file will be wrong.
48) Removed the Add Symbols button, replaced it with the Add D,X,Y to ViewBox button (v1.37).
49) Organized the help system in order to simplify looking up interrupt vectors and example 9S12 programs (v1.37).
50) In real 9S12 mode, the system executes at least three instructions when you execute the Run command. If you place a breakpoint in a loop, it will usually execute one iteration around the loop between breakpoints.

What to do before upgrading
1) A licensed version of TExaS, e.g., the one from the CD that comes with the book, must first be installed.
2) If you have edited any TExaS files using the same names as the original starter files, these files should be backed up before upgrading.

How to upgrade to TExaS Version 1.37
1) Download the 20 MiB upgrade from ZipFile
2) Unzip the texas.zip file.
3) Run setup.exe from the unzipped files. Install TExaS Version 1.37 into the same directory as the previous licensed version.

If you are having trouble running the TExaS installer with WinXP, try shutting off WinXP, turning on WinXP, then installing TExaS as your first activity.

TExaS on Intel Macs In a nutshell here is what you need:

Hardware: Your Mac must be Intel-based. If you have an older PowerPC based Mac then this will not work for you. You will need a USB to Serial converter to connect to the DP512 board. There are several vendors who sell them (http://www.usbgear.com/usb-serial.html) with a price range from $10-$20.

Software: There are two alternatives here. You can either use Bootcamp which allows you a choice to boot into Windows or Mac OSX (or any other OS you install). Or, you can use a virtualization software (aka VM) like Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion that lets you run multiple OSs simultaneously. I prefer the second for the flexibility though there is a slight loss in performance. I use VMware Fusion though I am told Parallels has more features. Also, VMware's Fusion was selling for half the price of Parallels at the Campus Computer store. Installing either software should be trivial if you simply follow the instructions. You will need Windows Vista OS or if you have XP that will work as well. You will install the Windows OS by following the directions from your VM software (Parallels/Fusion)

Issues: Sometimes when you disconnect the USB-to-Serial converter and connect it back Windows (more specifically your virtualization software) does not detect it. This is an issue with Mac OSX. Here is the fix. Open a Terminal app in Mac OSX and run the following command:

sudo kextunload /System/Library/Extensions/osx-pl2303.kext

You will be asked for your password, enter it. Now your VM and hence your Windows OS will be able to see the device again.

All directions for installing TExaS on Windows should be followed once you have a successful installation of Windows. Specifically, follow the announcement that reads, "How to download and install TExaS".

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Last updated January 19, 2010 Send comments to: Jonathan W. Valvano .