Some notable changes in MPLAB IDE 8.00

I put together a short list of notable changes in 8.00. Note that there were many more changes than what I've listed here (mostly device- or tool-specific changes). This list shows only the changes that I thought would of interest to most users.

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Editor

• Improved autocomplete feature to skip the compiler-generated fake name for anonymous structures.
• Improved Find-in-Files to remember previously used settings.
• Improved match (Ctrl+M) to movesbetween conditional compilation directives (e.g. #if, #else, #endif)
• Added a close button to the tabbed editor.
• Improved autocomplete list to scroll the auto selected item to the top of the list rather than the bottom.
  
• Prevent editor from scrolling back to cursor position when changing window focus.
• Fixed refresh of displayed text when scrolling vertically after scrolling right.
• Fixed Hard-tab outdent feature (Shift+tab) to remove only one tab instead of two.

Watch Window

• Fixed 7.62 bug displaying ASM30-defined file-scope variables with the COFF object-file format.
• Added support for viewing ASM30 variables with the ELF/DWARF object-file format
• Improved the SFR-bitfield mouseover tooltip to constrain itself to the visible desktop area.

MPLAB SIM

• Improved the status bar to display specified oscillator frequency.

Microchip Launches QVGA Graphics Solution for Cost-Sensitive Embedded Display Applications

I'm a little late with this one... The press release went out last week, but the free graphics library and Explorer 16 daughter board are so interesting that I couldn't let them go ignored.

The free graphics library and code provided by Microchip enable two- and three-dimensional objects, such as circles, text, rectangles, buttons, meters, windows, progress bars and more, along with images, animation, and touch screen capabilities. These graphics features allow engineers to easily implement and customize graphical user interfaces with faster time to market, low risk development and lower total system cost. In addition, Microchip’s third-party partners, Segger (www.segger.com) and Ramtex (www.ramtex.dk), offer compatible graphics libraries which reduce software development time and provide greater flexibility in graphical user interface development.

Be sure to visit http://www.microchip.com/graphics for more info.

Microchip Hiring Compiler Engineers in Bangalore and Chandler

Does anybody know any experienced compiler engineers? We are looking for new compiler engineers to join our teams in both Bangalore and Chandler.

• Compiler Engineer-India
• Sr. Compiler Engineer-India
• Sr. Compiler Engineer-India
• Pr. Compiler Engineer-Chandler

We're also hiring a Software Test Engineer in the Development Systems group.

• Sr. Software Test Engineer I - India

If you know anybody who might be interested in one of these positions, please send them our way!

MPLAB IDE 8.00 High-Level Debugger does not reset target after a project build

You may have noticed that there was a change introduced in MPLAB IDE 8.00's high-level debugger that affects all debug tools. Your debug tool will not reset the target after building a project or importing a ELF/COFF/COD/HEX file. The green program counter indicator stays put. What gives?

The change was intended to address two issues: 1) The source editor jumped back to the reset vector following a project build or file import and 2) Debug-tool communications errors if the target had not yet been programmed. This was a critical problem when the user had the "Reset to Main" feature enabled because the reset would cause the debug tool to attempt to run an unprogrammed target. It was an even bigger issue if the target device was not connected.

We think this change will help avoid some pretty nasty problems that users could run into under certain conditions. Just remember to hit your debugger reset hotkey or press the reset toolbar button if you are expecting your target to run from the reset vector.

DVD Forum votes to extend format stalemate

The DVD Forum voted to approve a 51-GB triple-layer hybrid HD-DVD spec. The new 51-GB capacity matches Blu Ray's 50-GB capacity and eliminates Blu Ray's main advantage over dual-layer HD-DVDs. I'm just glad that I haven't made the jump to a high-def optical format just yet.

[via engadget]

MPLAB C30 16-bit projects no longer require linker scripts

Well sort of. All MPLAB C30 projects require a device-specific linker script. However, starting with MPLAB IDE 8.00, you no longer need to explicitly add a .gld file to your project. If you don't specify a .gld file in your project, the project manager will use a default name based on your selected device. When the project manager calls the linker, it passes the default linker-script name to the compilation shell via the -T option. The tools will know where to find the default linker script for the device.

This new feature in MPLAB IDE 8.00 makes creating and sharing projects much simpler. It also simplifies changing devices. Go ahead... try it. Remove your .gld file from your project tree and do a Project Build All.

Express Logic Unveils ThreadX(R) RTOS for Microchip Technology's New PIC32 32-bit Microcontroller Family

Read the press release for more information

Express Logic, Inc., the worldwide leader in royalty-free real-time operating systems (RTOS), today announced the availability of its ThreadX(R) RTOS for the new PIC32 microcontroller family from Microchip Technology Inc. MCHP, a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors. In August, Express Logic announced its ThreadX/MCU Edition for Microchip's 16-bit PIC24 and dsPIC33 controllers. With this addition, ThreadX users can easily migrate between Microchip's 16- and 32-bit families using the same RTOS and the same MPLAB(R) Integrated Development Environment (IDE) toolchain from Microchip.

HI-TECH Software Takes on 32-bit MCUs

Read the press release for more information.

HI-TECH Software today announced its entry into the market for 32-bit microcontroller compilers. Its first 32-bit compiler will support the new MIPS-based PIC32 microcontroller family, also announced today, from Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analogue semiconductors.

Green Hills Software and Microchip Technology Announce Software Development Solution for Microchip's New PIC32 MCU Family

Read the press release for more information.

Green Hills Software, Inc., the technology leader in device software optimization (DSO) and real-time operating systems (RTOS), and Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced that Green Hills Software's software development product suite, including the MULTI® integrated development environment, Green Hills compilers, and Green Hills Probe, are now available for Microchip's PIC32 family of microcontrollers (MCUs). The PIC32, based on the MIPS® M4K(TM) core, is Microchip's first 32-bit MCU family.

PIC32 Out of the Bag

EE Times has the scoop on Microchip's new PIC32 microcontroller line.

Boasting better than 60,000 customers, Microchip claims to be the king of the 8-bit microcontroller hill. But it's the 32-bit mountain that Microchip sees in its future. To that end, the company has developed its first 32-bit microcontroller unit, dubbed the PIC32. The device incorporates a MIPS32 M4K processor core, surrounded by all the peripherals you would expect in a PIC-based microcontroller.

Read all of the juicy details at eetimes.com