1. The "Getting Started" dialog for the kit assumes the user has the US$3,000 ARM Multi-ICE.
At the step "Select your hardware interface with the debugger" we are offered a choice between "Multi-ICE" and "...." The second choice is not accepted!

How is the kit configured "out of the box" without Multi-ICE?

2. The kit comes with a DB-25 cable and a female-female DB-9 cable. The documentation does not explain their use or purpose. Can one of these cables be used instead of Multi-ICE? What is the purpose of the two DB-9 connectors on the board? (Why 2 connectors?)

3. What is "ANGEL serial debug"? This is mentioned in the "Getting Started" dialog. Is it something to buy, or a name for an alternative debug connection method?

4. Can you explain the functional advantages for using "Multi-ICE" instead the alternative(s)?

5. Is there a software tool for programming flash connected to the SAM7A1 EBI?

6. What is the FTP address for the latest AT91 disk?
EDIT - I found the main FTP index ftp://81.80.104.162/ but still didn't locate the latest "Getting Started" CD file. I hope there is a revision log on the page to see whether it is worth downloading before doing so.

Sorry, so many questions. The available documentation assumes prior experience with the parts and tools. The ARM devices are well documented, but development options are not...

Gary

Hi,

1°- Unfortunately, as you said, this evaluation kit is not really "ready to use out of the box". The only one software example provided by Atmel is based on ARM ADS + Multi ICE, but the Multi ICE is not delivered with the box
Anyway, as you know probably, you can use any development tools which supports the ARM7TDMI processor to evaluate this device.

2°- The SAM7A1-EK embeds a wiggler-like interface which could be used with development tools such as Metaware tools, GHS tools. Atmel does not mention this as they do not provides software examples for these development tools.

3°- Angel is a ROM debug monitor developed by ARM which provides serial debug interface with ARM ADS and now with Green Hills tools, ...
For info, Angel has not been ported for this device.

4°- The Multi ICE offers a professional debug solution but as you said, this JTAG/ICE is quite expensive. Using lower cost JTAG/ICE Interface will provide good level of debugging capabilities anyway.

5°- Atmel provides a way to program the flash but unfortunately on ARM ADS + Multi ICE. Then you can have a look at alternative solution such as OCDemon programmer tools from Macraigor or J-Flash from Segger which provides a JTAG programming solution.

6°- The AT91CDROM is now available "on line" at www.at91.com and no more available for download through ftp.

Hope this help.
Rgds
JP

As someone else who's been caught by the same trap, an evaluation kit you can't evaluate on, what I've found so far is....

http://microcontrollershop.com/default. ... th=154_171

The Embest UNetICE is the one I opted for and while not integrating the say way as Multi-ICE, it does seem to work with ADS. In other words, I've got it to work.

http://www.iar.com/

Another option is to buy a different development kit, such as the AT91SAMS7S-EK-IAR. It comes with it's own JTAG interface, and I've been told by IAR it should work with the SAM7Ax products. It's not expensive either.


All the best,

John.

Hi.

I'm stuck with the same kind of issue (among others) with the at91rm9200-ek. No Multi-Ice... etc. And the guide doesn't guide much.

Should I understand from your answers that the jtag is the only way to program the microcontroller ?

I tried to use Uboot to load a binary file into memory (loadb command) and then to execute it (go command) but it doesn't seem to work. It is very likely that I did it wrong. But I am wondering if it is even possible.

Thanks
Jérôme

To be blunt, ATMEL should either withdraw all the "Evaluation kits" that you can't program with, or provide a solution that you can actually make an "Evaluation" of the hardware with.

Either that, or I suggest you look at other semiconductor manufactures and see what tools they provide. I've looked at another major semiconductors guide to programming their version of an ARM microcontroller and made better progress with the ATMEL chip. The information on the AT91 is that bad!

Sorry to be quite short on this one, but I am utterly p'd off by the lack of support on AT91 series. JP is the exception, but I fear he's one FAE that's being over worked. ATMEL might actually be able to sell some of these if we could actually "Evaluate" them!

John.

In general, unless you have the budget to buy the real ARM tools ($$$), developing on any ARM9 base platform is going to be difficult. If you're doing a software application then you should buy somebody elses hardware. They will generally have a BSP built that you can populate an application on top of and avoid 99% of the hardware headaches.

If you're just looking for some performance then the SAM7S series is a great low cost, easy to program, and simpler to work with solution.

I would also hazzard that a lot of people who see ARM9's, see them as a cheaper solution then a Single Board Computer (SBC). In actuality, that is quite possibly not the case.

Hi

Is there any way to Debug/program the Flash on AT91SAM7A1-EK using OPenOCD?
Is there any CFG files available for the board?

on the other hand How to use the parallel port came with the board for programming and debugging?

Salam
Hossam Alzomor