TI's Five Modular 32-Bit TMS320F28x DSC Development Kits Jump-Start Digital Power and Embedded Control Applications


Digital Power Experimenter's Kit free to workshop attendees

Nuremberg, Germany (May 28, 2008) - Making it easier to jump-start 32-bit based digital power and embedded control designs, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) today announced five new experimenter and application-specific development kits for its TMS320F28x digital signal controllers (DSCs). The modular kits enable rapid prototyping of DSC based communications infrastructure, industrial and consumer applications with interchangeable processor card modules, or controlCARDs, Experimenter Kits with breadboard areas for full access to device signals, and application specific DC/DC and AC/DC Digital Power Developer's Kits. To further reduce development time, each kit includes code examples and full hardware design details along with TI's Code Composer Studio(TM) (CCStudio) 32 KB limited integrated development environment (IDE). To accelerate development of software controlled digital power applications, the Digital Power Experimenter's Kit will be free to attendees of the one-day digital power workshops being held worldwide starting in June 2008. For more information on the kits and workshops, see www.ti.com/f28xkits.

Modular controlCARDS and Experimenter Kits provide low cost access to 32-bit DSCs

By adopting the new TMS320C2000(TM) controlCARDs, OEMs can rapidly build prototypes and even full production systems using the complete controller subsystem that comes on a small (90mm x 25mm) removable 100-pin DIMM form-factor card. Key analog, digital I/O signals and JTAG test pins are available through the controlCARD interface and only a 5V input is needed as all other power levels are provided on the board. The first two controlCARDs are based on the TMS320F28335 floating-point DSC (running at 150MHz with 512KB of flash memory) and the F2808 fixed-point DSC (at 100MHz and 128KB of flash memory). The F28335 and F2808 controlCARD are $69 and $59, respectively.

Starting at $89, the C2000(TM) Experimenter Kits include either the TMS320F2808 or floating point F28335 controlCARD and a docking station. Full access to all controlCARD pins is provided by the docking station, along with a 4-pin RS-232 interface, and a breadboard area for designers to add components.

Industrial and consumer applications see benefits of digital power with new kits

Digital control of power conversion systems results in lower overall cost through the consolidation of functions on to a programmable controller while enabling real time intelligent monitoring of load conditions, and improved system reliability and efficiency. Three new Digital Power Application Kits help bring these benefits to digital power management in communications infrastructure, industrial and consumer applications.

The Digital Power Experimenter's Kit is designed for those new to software based digital power management by providing a high function development environment including a DC/DC motherboard using two TI digital non-isolated PowerTrain(TM) modules along with an F2808 controlCARD. The DC/DC board also includes a digital multi-meter and an active load that design engineers can use to perform transient response analysis and tuning. The Digital Power Experimenter's Kit comes 32KB CCStudio IDE, a complete downloadable free software package that includes a working system and additional digital power instructional materials.

The DC/DC Digital Power Developer's Kit targets multi-rail and multi-phase applications using a F28044 DSC based controlCARD to demonstrate the capabilities of the device as a 16-rail digital power controller. The DC/DC Developer's kit includes a DC/DC motherboard using eight TI digital non-isolated PowerTrain modules useful for prototyping DC point-of-load power control in a wide range of equipments for industry, communications infrastructure and consumer electronics. The DC/DC Developer's kit includes the 32 KB CCS IDE, and a complete, free downloadable software package.

The AC/DC Developer's Kit is a complete, 80-Watt (max) rectifier development platform and uses a two-phase interleaved power factor correction (PFC) front end and a phase-shifted full-bridge secondary. The system is fully controlled by a single F2808 controlCARD and is useful for prototyping communications systems such as server farms and base stations, as well as telecom and consumer equipments. The AC/DC Developer's Kit includes the 32KB CCS IDE and a complete, free downloadable software package.

Workshops accelerate software controlled digital power applications

The C2000 digital power workshops are a one-day hands-on session and serve as an introduction to the concept of software controlled digital power supply design and use the Digital Power Experimenter Kit for exploration of digital power concepts and techniques. Workshops will begin in June 2008 worldwide at a cost of $229/ 229 including the kit or free if you have already purchased it. For more information on the digital power workshops, see www.ti.com/f28xworkshops.

Availability, pricing and new low cost JTAG emulator from Blackhawk

Available immediately are the $59 F2808 based controlCARD, $89 C2000 Experimenter's Kit with F2808 controlCARD and $229 C2000 DC/DC Experimenter Kit with the F2808 controlCARD. The $325 DC/DC and $695 AC/DC Developer's Kits are available for order entry with shipping in July.

Along with the Experimenter's and Developer's Kits, designers will need an emulator for communication between the host PC and TI kits. The new $299 USB2000 JTAG emulator from Blackhawk(TM) is now available for purchase through TI and authorized distributors. All prices are suggested resale.

Product Part Number Price (suggested resale price)

F2808 controlCARD TMDSCNCD2808 $59

F28335 controlCARD TMDSCNCD28335 $69

F2808 Experimenter's Kit TMDSDDOCK2808 $89

F28335 Experimenter's Kit TMDSDDOCK28335 $99

Digital Power Experimenter's Kit TMDSDCDC2KIT $229

DC/DC Developer's Kit TMDSDCDC8KIT $325

AC/DC Developer's Kit TMDSACDCKIT $695

USB2000 JTAG Emulator TMDSEMU2000U $299

Expanding Digital Power Portfolio

TI's broad portfolio of solutions enable designers to implement digitally controlled power designs with high system intelligence and functionality using high performance processors, optimized controllers and drivers, and easy-to-use, intuitive development environments. From its high-performance TMS320F28x digital signal controllers, to the FUSION DIGITAL POWER(TM) series of UCD9K and UCD7K controllers and power supply drivers, TI's digital power solutions are optimized for applications ranging from point-of- load to high-power AC/DC and DC/AC conversion.

TI Enables Innovation with Broad Range of Controllers

From ultra-low-power 16-bit MCUs in the MSP430 platform, industry standard 32-bit MCUs and the high performance TMS320C2000(TM) digital signal controller platform, TI offers the broadest range of embedded control solutions. Designers can accelerate their designs to market by tapping into TI's complete free software and low cost hardware tools, extensive third-party offerings and technical support. For more information on TI's controllers, see www.ti.com/mcu.

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) helps customers solve problems and develop new electronics that make the world smarter, healthier, safer, greener and more fun. A global semiconductor company, TI innovates through manufacturing, design and sales operations in more than 25 countries. For more information, go to www.ti.com

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