Engineering Softwares

AVR Studio 5 - Atmel Studio 6

2013-04-17T08:40:00.001-07:00

AVR studio has been the complete solution to AVR microcontrollers so far. It is a complete IDE for the AVR architecture based microcontrollers. It provides support for both the 8-bit and 32-bit AVR microcontrollers. Some of its features are as follows
Atmel® AVR Studio® 5 is the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for developing and debugging embedded Atmel AVR® applications. The AVR Studio 5 IDE gives you a seamless and easy-to-use environment to write, build, and debug your C/C++ and assembler code.

One environment for 8– and 32–bit
Integrated Compiler
Simulator to simulate the compiled code
Debugger
A better editor i.e. it displays the available functions or properties while writing the code itself
AVR software framework i.e the production ready programs written and included in the Library itself.Also it enables us to include our own library files.
In-built programmer
JTAG debugger
Supports different types of In-system Programmers(i.e. documented by AVR not the 3rd party tools)
Helps in building both the bootloader and the application sections
Free to use by registering and
even has update facilities

Some screenshots:

AVR studio start page

AVR studio is widely used and hence widely provided with the documentation and tutorials to use.The manufacturer themselves provided a complete series of video tutorials on how to use AVR studio.You can view/download these video tutorials from youtube.

Video tutorials for AVR studio 5

Atmel studio

Recently AVR Studio which supported only AVR architecture microcontrollers was replaced by the Atmel studio 6.0 which extended it's support for both the AVR based and ARM based microcontrollers manufactured by the Atmel corporation. It provides one stop solution to all the embedded system solution for the Atmel manufactured microcontrollers.

Atmel^® Studio 6 is the integrated development platform (IDP) for developing and debugging Atmel ARM^® Cortex^™-M and Atmel AVR^® microcontroller- (MCU-) based applications. The Atmel Studio 6 IDP gives you a seamless and easy-to-use environment to write, build and debug your applications written in C/C++ or assembly code.

Atmel Studio 6 is free of charge and is integrated with the Atmel Software Framework (ASF)—a large library of free source code with 1,600 ARM and AVR project examples. ASF strengthens the IDP by providing, in the same environment, access to ready-to-use code that minimizes much of the low-level design required for projects. Use the IDP for our wide variety of AVR and ARM Cortex-M processor-based MCUs, including our broadened portfolio of Atmel SAM3 ARM Cortex-M3 and M4 Flash devices.
With the introduction of Atmel Gallery and Atmel Spaces, Atmel Studio 6 further simplifies embedded MCU designs to reduce development time and cost. Atmel Gallery is an online apps store for development tools and embedded software. Atmel Spaces is a cloud-based collaborative development workspace allowing you to host software and hardware projects targeting Atmel MCUs.
In summary, standard integrated development environments (IDEs) are suited for creating new software for an MCU project. By contrast, the Atmel Studio 6 IDP also:

Facilitates reuse of existing software and, by doing so, enables design differentiation.
Supports the product development process with easy access to integrated tools and software extensions through Atmel Gallery.

Software Libraries and Device Support

The Atmel Software Framework is a collection of production-ready source code such as drivers, communication stacks, graphic services and touch functionality. Tap into 1,600 project examples with source code to accelerate development of new applications.

Atmel Gallery

You can now download and securely purchase both Atmel and third-party compilers, advanced debugging tools, real-time operating systems, communication systems and other extensions and plug-ins straight from the Atmel Studio 6 development platform and via gallery.atmel.com. The Atmel Gallery app store provides development tools and embedded software for MCU-based application design.

When you encounter a need for a tool in the midst of your development process, or are seeking some basic source code, you won't have to leave your environment to search for your solution. From Atmel Gallery, you can also download a plug-in that will give you direct access to Atmel Spaces, our new collaborative workspace.

Atmel Spaces Collaborative Workspace
With embedded applications easily topping tens of thousands of lines of code—often written by designers dispersed around the globe—efficient collaboration is critical for a project's success. Atmel Spaces provides a cloud-based workspace where you can securely share and track open-source, community-developed embedded design projects with your peers.

With access control, version control, bug and feature trackers, mailing lists and wikis, Atmel Spaces provides a secure and efficient place for sharing design tips, tricks and resources and for tracking progress of projects with your peers.

Atmel studio is also well documented and atmel manufacturers themselves provided tuts to use Atmel studio. It is free to download and use the Atmel studio by registering.

Atmel studio 6 video tutorials

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Diptrace

2013-04-11T15:49:00.000-07:00

Easy to use professional software for designing a PCB and it includes all the features needed to develop a fully professional PCB.
It comes in handy when making a professional PCB and is quite easy to use and more like the CADSOFT Eagle software. It is also widely supported with various tutorials, expanding libraries and features. The company provides the software for lowcost for non-profit uses and educational purposes.
DipTrace is a complete state-of-the-art PCB Design System. It includes:

PCB Layout — PCB design with an easy-to-use manual routing tools, shape-based autorouter and auto-placer.
Schematic — Schematic Capture with multi-level hierarchy and export to PCB Layout, Spice or Netlist.
Component and Pattern Editors — allow you to make new parts and footprints.
Standard Libraries - include 100,000+ parts.
3D PCB Preview - shows your design in 3D. 2500+ package 3D models are supplied with the program.
Import/Export Features - allow you to exchange designs and libraries with other EDA tools.
Step-by-Step Tutorial - learn the software and start real work in a few hours.
Full featured 30-day trial and 300-pin Freeware versions are available for evaluation.
Special Discounts for non-profit users and education.

Schematic Design in Diptrace

Layout Design

3D view of the PCB

The interesting tool in Diptrace is that it also has an autoplacer. It enables one to make a complete PCB with almost a few clicks after making the schematic. It also has efficient autorouter and provides the support to import various EDA design files easily.

DipTrace provides the following features:

Easy to learn user interface
To design a schematic, simply select and place components onto your document and connect them together using the wire and bus tools. Multisheet and hierarchical schematics are supported. Then select the menu option 'Convert to PCB' to convert the schematic to PCB. Layout can be updated from Schematic in a few clicks at anytime. When you create or edit design objects they are highlighted to improve your work. Step-by-step tutorial guides you through the design process and allows to get started with ease.

Smart placement and auto-placement features
After converting Schematic to PCB layout, place board outline and arrange components. Then use "placement by list" for chips/connectors and auto-placement for other components to get acceptable result in a few minutes and start routing.

Easy to use manual and powerful automatic routing
DipTrace PCB software includes 2 automatic routers (Shape-based and Grid-based). Shape Router is able to route complex layouts with SMD components as well as single-layer boards. Grid Router can also make single-layer boards with jumper wires. With Specctra DSN/SES interface you can use external shape-based or topological autorouter. Intelligent manual routing tools allow you to create and edit traces by 90, 45 degree or without any limitations. Curved traces are supported. Through, blind or buried vias can be used in automatic and manual routing. Board size is not limited.

Shape-based copper pour
Powerful copper pour system can help to reduce your manufacturing costs by minimizing the amount of etching solution required. To use it, all you have to do is insert a copper area on your board in the PCB Layout program and any pad or trace inside the selected area will be automatically surrounded with a gap of the desired size. Using copper pour you can also create planes and connect them to pads and vias (different thermal types are supported).

Advanced Verification Features
Schematic and PCB design modules have number of verification features that help control project accuracy on different design stages: The ERC function shows possible errors in Schematic pin connections using defined rules and allows you to correct errors step-by-step. DRC function checks the clearance between design objects, minimum size of traces, and drills. Errors are displayed graphically and you can fix them step-by-step and rerun the DRC in one click after any corrections. Net Connectivity Check verifies if all nets of PCB are electrically connected. This feature uses traces, copper pour filled area and shapes to control connectivity, then reports broken and merged nets with area details. Comparing to Schematic allows you to check if routed PCB is identical with Schematic.

3D PCB Preview
DipTrace PCB Layout module includes 3D preview feature which shows you how your completed project will look like. This feature uses hardware graphics acceleration, so you can change colors and rotate/zoom/pan board in real-time. 2500+ package 3D models are available for free and you can use any models in VRML 2.0 or 3DS formats.

Spice Support
With DipTrace Schematic Capture or Component Editor specify spice settings or attach models to the parts. Then export .cir net-list of your Schematic to LT Spice or another simulation software to verify how it works.

Import/Export Features
Package modules allow you to exchange schematics, layouts and libraries with other EDA and CAD packages (DXF, Eagle, P-CAD, PADS, OrCAD). DipTrace Schematic Capture and PCB Layout also support Accel, Allegro, Mentor, PADS, P-CAD, Protel and Tango netlist formats.

Manufacturing output formats
DipTrace provides support for a number of different manufacturing output formats. Using this PCB software you can produce N/C Drill files for numerically controlled (N.C.) drilling machines and RS-274X Gerber files for sending to board manufacturers. Vectorizing function allows to export true-type fonts and raster images. Also DipTrace supports DXF output.

Producing PCBs using milling method
DipTrace allows you to export edge polylines to DXF. The DXF files can be converted to G-code with Ace Converter (it's free). Before edge exporting the DRC function of pcb layout program checks the design and shows possible problems if exist.

Standard component libraries
DipTrace package includes component and pattern libraries which contain 100,000+ components from different manufacturers.

Creation of your own libraries
Component and Pattern Editors allow to design your own symbols and patterns. To create complete components simply connect them together using Component Editor.

... and much more!

Well, it's good isn't it!Want to try out Diptrace...

Homepage

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MPLABX IDE

2013-03-09T06:05:00.002-08:00

MPLABX is a complete IDE software for Microchip PIC microcontrollers. It has an integrated compiler, debugger, simulating tool and many other tools required for complete development of embedded applications. It has support for many plugins of different softwares like MATLAB,Proteus and many others. It provides support for various other compilers of PICs like PICClite, CCS compiler etc.

               MPLAB^® X Integrated Development Environment brings many changes to the PIC^® microcontroller development tool chain. Unlike previous versions of MPLAB^® which were developed completely in-house, MPLAB^® X is based on the open source NetBeans IDE from Oracle. Taking this path has allowed us to add many frequently requested features very quickly and easily while also providing us with a much more extensible architecture to bring you even more new features in the future.

                      You can have as many versions of a compiler installed as you wish to work with. Each is identified by its own version. For any project, you can select the specific version of your choice. This enables you to use more than one instance of a compiler within the IDE at the same time.Project configurations can be set to use an older version while trying a new release.
                                       "One Click" Make, Program, Debug / Execute operation. Unlike other IDEs where you build, have to connect to the hardware tool, program the target and then start your debug session.

Under MPLAB^® X it is all compiled into one action button. Run, Program, or Debug Run starts ‘Make’ which will check for changes and build any relevant updates, connect to the tool program the images and either start a debug session or start an execution of the programmed image.

Above all the important thing is that it is free and provided with compilers that support 8-bit and even 32-bit microcontrollers. The development tool chain also supports the digital signal processors.

Visit Website

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Win AVR

2013-02-27T23:51:00.000-08:00

WinAVR^TM (pronounced "whenever") is a suite of executable, open source software development tools for the Atmel AVR series of RISC microprocessors hosted on the Windows platform. It includes the GNU GCC compiler for C and C++. WinAVR^TM contains all the tools for developing on the AVR. This includes avr-gcc (compiler), avrdude (programmer), avr-gdb (debugger), and more! WinAVR is used all over the world from hobbyists sitting in their damp basements, to schools, to commercial projects. It is important to note that WinAVR is a collection of tools. For specific information on these tools see the links below:

avr-libc - C library for AVR. Normal spot to report bugs that also affect GCC and Binutils first.
avrdude - Programming software, supports lots of programmers.
GNU Binutils - AVR target Binary Utilities (assembler, linker, etc)
GNU GCC - C Compiler
avrdude-gui - Graphical interface for avrdude
GNU Debugger (GDB) - Command line debugger
Insignt - Graphical debugger
AVaRICE - Connects the JTAG ICE to the AVR-GDB debugging software.
simulavr / simulavrxx - Simulator for the AVR
MFile - Makefile editor
Programmers Notepad - Text editor / IDE for compiler
SRecord - Tools for editing EPROM load files.

Download the latest version from here

You can try WinAVR^TM out with Portable WinAVR^TM, a version that doesn't require an install. And when you get hooked on WinAVR^TM, you can put Portable WinAVR^TM on a USB key and take it everywhere with you! School, work, the library, the dentist, and more!
Portable WinAVR^TM is maintained at www.chip45.com/PortableWinAVR.

Labcenter Electronics - ISIS Proteus professional - Professional PCB Design and Simulation Software

2013-02-27T10:12:00.003-08:00

Have you ever heard of proteus?.Well it's a professional PCB design and simulation software. It allows you to simulate the design first, and the make PCB from the design. The interesting feature about this is that it can simulate some of the famous microcontrollers like 8051's, avr's, pic's and even some of the arm micros apart from all the logic ic's and spice components. Another interesting feature is that it's graphical interface is so well that it even can compete with the standard IDE's provided by the corresponding micro's.
The Proteus Design Suite is wholly unique in offering the ability to co-simulate both high and low-level micro-controller code in the context of a mixed-mode SPICE circuit simulation. With this Virtual System Modelling facility, you can transform your product design cycle, reaping huge rewards in terms of reduced time to market and lower costs of development.
If one person designs both the hardware and the software then that person benefits as the hardware design may be changed just as easily as the software design. In larger organisations where the two roles are separated, the software designers can begin work as soon as the schematic is completed; there is no need for them to wait until a physical prototype exists.In short, Proteus VSM improves efficiency, quality and flexibility throughout the design process.

Proteus Virtual System Modelling (VSM) combines mixed mode SPICE circuit simulation, animated components and microprocessor models to facilitate co-simulation of complete microcontroller based designs. For the first time ever, it is possible to develop and test such designs before a physical prototype is constructed.

This is possible because you can interact with the design using on screen indicators such as LED and LCD displays and actuators such as switches and buttons. The simulation takes place in real time (or near enough to it): a 1GMHz Pentium III can simulate a basic 8051 system clocking at over 12MHz. Proteus VSM also provides extensive debugging facilities including breakpoints, single stepping and variable display for both assembly code and high level language source.

Visit the labcenter page for more details. want to try the demo just click on download.

Microsim Pspice

2013-02-24T06:45:00.001-08:00

PSpice is a SPICE analog circuit and digital logic simulation program for Microsoft Windows. The name is an acronym for Personal Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis.

PSpice was initially developed by MicroSim and is used in electronic design automation. The company was bought by OrCAD, which was subsequently purchased by Cadence Design Systems.The older versions of PSpice are rarely available but mostly used in many of the universities, colleges and schools.So here is a collection of the old Microsim pspice evaluation versions collection.

MICROSIM PSPICE v5.3

MICROSIM PSPICE v8.0

OrCAD PSPICE v9.1

Cadsoft Eagle

2012-01-15T20:24:00.000-08:00

One of the best, easy to use,widely supported and used PCB designing software is Cadsoft Eagle. It has many features, widely expanding libraries and even you can create your own libraries(a little advanced).It even has the feature of autorouting. Can support up to two layers of PCB. Some of the Components of Eagle are Schematics, PCB, CAM Processor.You can even create a 3D Image of the files using the user language programs and Eagle 3D software linking with POV-Ray Image viewer and creator.

Schematic Editor

Up to 999 sheets per schematic
Icon preview for sheets
Sorting sheets with Drag&Drop
Cross references for nets
Automatic generation of contact cross references
Simple copying of parts
Replace function for parts without loss of consistency between schematic and layout
Online Forward&Back Annotation between schematic and board
Automatic generation of supply connections
Automatic board generation
Electrical Rule Check (error check in the Schematic and consistency check between Schematic and Layout)
User Defined Net Classes for Via Size, Wire Width and Clearance

Layout Editor

4 x 4m (about 150 x 150 inch)
Full SMD support
Support of Blind and Buried vias
Rotation of objects in arbitrary angles (0.1degree steps)
Components can be locked against moving
Texts can be placed in any orientation
Dynamic calculation of signal lines while routing the layout
Magnetic pads function
Tracks can be drawn with rounded corners in any radius
Mitering to smooth wire joints
Design Rule Check for board layouts (checks e.g. overlaps, measures of pads or tracks)
Copper pouring (ground plains)
Package variants support
Differential pair routing
Meander command for length compensation of signals
Support of assembly variants
User definable, free programmable User Language to generate data for mounting machines, test equipments, milling machines or any other data format
Output of manufacturing data for pen plotters, photo plotters and drilling machines with the CAM Processor

Autorouter

Fully integrated into basic program
Routing grid down to 0.02 mm (about 0.8 mil)
Basic engine for the Follow-me-router, a tool that supports you in manual routing; the trace of a selected signal will be calculated automatically
Ripup&Retry algorithm
User definable strategy by cost factors
No placement restrictions
Uses the layout’s Design Rules
Change between manual and automatic routing at any time
Up to 16 signal layers (with user definable preferred directions)
Full support of Blind and Buried vias
Takes into consideration various net classes

CAM Processor:

helps in printing gerber files for printing PCB top and bottom layers
Full support to two layers
User selectable different file formats
Suports different sized boards up to 4mx4m

User Language Programs (ULPs)

ULP is a C-like User Language for data export and import for the realization of self defined commands. Most commonly use, but not limited to, exportation of custom BOM, creating library components, detailed statistic reports of schematic and board designs.
You can even simulate the digital and analog circuits using B2 Spice linking it with Eagle.Visit the website for more details. Download the freeversion from here

Download

Download the Libraries from here

Download the User language Programs(ULP's) from here

Tired of clicking all the files for downloading just use the ftp downloader addon in firefox to download all the files with a single click.For tutorials and video demos you can see in the website

C++ compiler for Windows 7,Vista and XP

2011-12-20T17:42:00.000-08:00

Tired of trying to install your favourite Turboc++ compiler in Windows 7 and Vista.Here is an utility you can use to install turboc++ and use it in full screen mode from Borland C++ builders.Simply install it and enjoy.
Here are a series of pictures guiding you through the process of installation.

To exit from compiler press Alt+X and then press exit and enter in the Dos-Shell as shown

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