Does the ARM embedded module and palettes apply to any custom ARM board?

[Ibn7alal]

Hello,  

I have a question regarding the embedded modules from LabVIEW.  I’m sorry if it is a stupid question, but I do not have a strong background in embedded systems as of yet.  The only experience that I have is a little bit of tinkering with the 8051 architecture.  Here is my question:

When I was working with the 8051, I would write a program in assembly (or C) and then I would verify that my code is running fine in the simulator.  Once I do that, I use a programmer to load the program into the 8051 microcontroller and then start debugging from there.  With the ARM embedded LabVIEW module, I am having a bit of trouble understanding how the module can be used to program any ARM microcontroller.  For example, the current ARM module allows programming of the following evaluation kits:  LM3S8962 evaluation board, the MCB2300 evaluation board, and the MCB2400 evaluation board.  What if I want to use my own custom board that uses the same microcontrollers that are used in the evaluation boards above?  I mean, can I make a custom breakout board that uses the LM3S8962 microcontroller, and still be able to use the ARM embedded LabVIEW module in order to program my custom board?  And since the ARM embedded module already contains a palette specifically designed for the LM3S8962 evaluation board, can I still use the same palette to program my custom LM3S8962 board?  My custom board might not have an LCD, for example.  Will I be able to use the LM3S8962 palette in LabVIEW and use SPI or I2C functions for example?

What about the generated C files that are compiled in LabVIEW?  Can I take those files that were generated from LabVIEW and then use Keil software for example to load these files into the microcontroller? 

I have the same question with regards to the Blackfin processor family. 

Thank you in advance for your answer.   

[NicB]

Have you seen the porting guide? If not, then:http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/6994

Of course, the existing VIs for EK-LM3S8962 works for any Stellaris microcontroller application. There is an "other" target, called LM3Sxxxx.

[Amd1480 · Accepted solution]

Hello Ibn7alal

I will try to answer your quiestions as well as I can from my littel experience in using MCB2300 Board with Labview for ARM Embedded systems.

---

Ibn7alal wrote:

I am having a bit of trouble understanding how the module can be used to program any ARM microcontroller.  For example, the current ARM module allows programming of the following evaluation kits:  LM3S8962 evaluation board, the MCB2300 evaluation board, and the MCB2400 evaluation board.  What if I want to use my own custom board that uses the same microcontrollers that are used in the evaluation boards above?  I mean, can I make a custom breakout board that uses the LM3S8962 microcontroller, and still be able to use the ARM embedded LabVIEW module in order to program my custom board?

---

Yes you can.

the evaluation boards gives you the possibility to test your code without needing to build your own HW (main board) and you can access all Ports on the uController using the free Pins on the board (See red marked pins in the Figure below).

---

Ibn7alal wrote:
What if I want to use my own custom board that uses the same microcontrollers that are used in the evaluation boards above?  I mean, can I make a custom breakout board that uses the LM3S8962 microcontroller, and still be able to use the ARM embedded LabVIEW module in order to program my custom board?

---

yes you can

To get access to all function Pins and Ports on your uController you must have the Elemental IO file for your uController you use to develope your own custom uC board (ex. LPC2378.eio for LPC2378 ucontroller). if you dont have that eio file, so it is also using Labview for ARM Embedded no problem. you can create this file yourself. To do that please read  the tutorial as NicB wrot you in the previus post.

---

Ibn7alal wrote:
 And since the ARM embedded module already contains a palette specifically designed for the LM3S8962 evaluation board, can I still use the same palette to program my custom LM3S8962 board?  My custom board might not have an LCD, for example.  Will I be able to use the LM3S8962 palette in LabVIEW and use SPI or I2C functions for example?

---

Yes you can.

you will still able to use I2C/SPI VIs but NOT LCD VIs any more (as far as I know)

---

Ibn7alal wrote:

What about the generated C files that are compiled in LabVIEW?  Can I take those files that were generated from LabVIEW and then use Keil software for example to load these files into the microcontroller? 

---

Yes you can.

you can also modify the C code generated using LabVIEW to optimize your software as you want then load it into the ucontroller.

I hope that I could help and If you have additional questions, post back!

Regards

[Ibn7alal]

Thanks Amro, this what I was hoping to find out. 

Best wishes.