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SchmartBoard offers dev board for TI MCUs
San Ramon, Calif. — SchmartBoard has introduced a single development board that supports a broad microcontroller (MCU) portfolio from Texas Instruments Inc. (TI). These include the ultra-low power MSP430, ARM Cortex-M3-based Stellaris and real-time control C2000 MCU platforms. SchmartBoard also is sponsoring a 2010 MCU Design Contest that challenges developers using TI’s MCUs and SchmartBoard’s new TI development board.
Support of an MCU family typically has required multiple development boards, but Schmartboard’s one single development board supports all 64-pin QFP packages in TI’s C2000 and MSP430 MCU platforms and all 48-pin QFP packages in TI’s Stellaris MCU platform, said SchmartBoard. The company attributes this to its “ez” technology that makes it easy to hand solder surface-mount components to the board, then start programming.
The board also serves as an inventory solution for distributors, enabling them to stock the TI Development SchmartModule to support 92 devices.
SchmartBoard is including the new TI development board in its 2010 MCU Design Contest to help kick it off. The contest runs from July 2010 until the end of the year.
The contest challenges developers to showcase their innovation using TI’s MCUs and SchmartBoard’s new TI development board, said Neal Greenberg, SchmartBoard’s VP of sales and marketing. The first prize winner will receive an Apple iPad, with additional prizes for second, third and special mentions, he added.
“TI recognizes developers need comprehensive, easy-to-use, low-cost tools so that they can quickly take designs from concept to production,” said Jacob Borgeson, MCU product marketing manager, TI, in a statement. “With SchmartBoard’s new TI Development SchmartModule, engineers can easily, inexpensively evaluate TI’s broad portfolio to best meet their design needs and then immediately start development.”
Pricing: $30 suggested retail. During the month of July only, the product will be sold at the SchmartBoard Website for 50 percent off at $15.
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