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SHDesigns: Embedded Systems Design, Consulting and Developer Resources |
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Z-World does not provide a viable Ethernet Downloader
for the Rabbit products.
Others have implemented Network Downloaders, but they are limited.
SHDesigns has implemented a solution that is simple,
and is easy to use.
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Hits since 3-18-03
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New! Use the Online Store
for Paypal and Credit Card orders.
Download and try the Demo: "st-demo.zip"
The features are:
- Very low FLASH code overhead: less then 1k!, Small root data
use.
- Supports all Z-World Rabbit 2000 and 3000 boards.
- Uses about 17k of xmem Only when downloading. Available to
user program otherwise.
- RAM loader can be included in xmem FLASH (uses no xmem).
- Requires no hardware changes
to Rabbit modules. Z-World provides a solution that require modifying
the rabbit modules. This is unacceptable!
- User code may use all of the FLASH and RAM available. Other solutions divide the FLASH and RAM in
half!
- Fast download, programs 120k in less than 10 seconds.
- No library changes. Other solutions require extensive library
changes. There is no need to compile primary and secondary code.
- Works with boards with any size flash or RAM.
- Uses UDP socket for fast speed and low overhead.
- Actual programming code runs entirely from RAM and is downloaded
from PC.
- Programming RAM code is only 17k including the UDP/IP stack!
- Board can be at ANY IP address, no addresses are hard-coded.
The PC utility can actually change the boards IP address if needed
and it will search for the boards. Other solutions require a
"server" to be installed a a specific IP address.
- Multiple boards can exist on the LAN and can be programmed
individually.
- Network data is verified via CRC.
- Does not blindly copy data into RAM and assume it will not
destroy user data. Downloaded RAM program is allocated from xmem.
- Does not require Web, TFTP, BOOTP, DHCP or a FTP client or
server.
- PC utility is only 240k and does not require installation.
- Rabbit boards identify themselves to the programmer. They
can even include a user-defined string to identify different
boards within one LAN.
- Automatically adjusts for MTU size. Downloader adjusts for
MTU size for fastest download. Will work on wireless LANs, VPN,
and internet connections.
- Supports ANY FLASH type or block size.
- Downloader will work through routers to other subnets. It
even has been tested through a NAT firewall over the Internet.
- Code .bin files can now be Encrypted with optional password
protection. This prevents users from stealing your code!
- Updates are available free online.
- PC Utility runs on Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP. It has
also been run under WINE and Win4Lin in linux.
- Fail-safe recovery support in download manager will recover
from a reset or power loss during download.
- Supports multiple board download. A list of boards is provided;
one or multiple boards can be selected to download.
- PC Utility can automatically update boards.
An example screen of the download utility is shown below:
The design goal for this library was for a user to be able
to walk up to any windows PC on the local LAN. Insert a floppy
and run the program to download new code to any or all of the
Rabbit-Based systems. Each Rabbit board is identified by name.
If you would like to view the user manual (Adobe PDF) , It
can be downloaded here
The documentation for the PC-Utility can be read here:
Unlike the other libraries form SHDesigns, this one is not
free. This was a significant development effort. Many hurdles
had to be overcome with DC limitations. This library requires
more support.
Limitations/Requirements:
- Does not support PPP or PPPoE connections.
Licensing:
This library is licensed on a per-developer basis. A licensed
user will receive the libraries and documentation and will receive
free updates. Updates will be available online. There will never
be a charge for updates.
The PC utility may be freely distributed. Source is available
to allow users to integrate the function into their own applications.
The license cost is $95. Licensed users will get technical
support for 1 year.
Ordering information for the SHDesigns libraries can be found
here:
For questions or more information check out the Rabbit
Board at SHDesigns.
For More Information contact: rabbit@shdesigns.org
or Call Scott Henion at: (770) 879-3586 (This
is not the FAX number!)
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Additional Information: Rabbit Libraries
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