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Three new Wytec HCS12 C32-C128 boards, docking board, Robot Controller and Single Board Computer are available now.  Cheaper and more features.  Great for senior projects, robot controllers and embedded applications.  

48-pin QFP, MC9S12C32/C128 MCU standard specifications:

 

DRAGONfly12 DIP module features:

 

 

DRAGONfly12 price list:

All the following prices are for schools and students only.

DF12-DIP40-R32:    40-pin DIP C32 module with round machine pins - $34.00
DF12-DIP40-R128:  40-pin DIP C128 module with round machine pins - $44.00

DF12-DOCK40:   $29.00  Docking board for DF12-DIP modules.  The board size is 3.3" X 2.5".

DF12-RBC:   $44.00  RoBot Controller for DF12-DIP modules.  The board size is 3.3" X 4".

DF12-SBC:    $64.00  Single Board Computer with an on-board MC9S12C32.  The board size is 4" x 2.4" and the size is reduced to 3.2" X 2.4" when the RF transceiver and DS1302 Real Time Clock section PCB is snapped off.

DF12-SBC-128:    $74.00  Same as the DF12-SBC but comes with a MC9S12C128 microcontroller

LCD8X2:     $10.00  8X2 LCD display module with backlight for DF12-RBC and DF12-SBC
LCD16X2:   $14.00  8X2 LCD display module with backlight for MiniDRAGON+
DB9CBL6:   $4.00    6 foot standard DB9 RS232 cable, male to female
AC07300:    $4.00    AC adapter, 7.5VDC output, 300mA, 2.1mm female plug, center positive
AC09500:    $6.00    AC adapter, 9VDC output, 500mA, 2.1mm female plug, center positive
USB232:      $19.00  USB to RS232 adapter

Our design approach:

Before we thought about how to design the DRAGONfly12 series of our C32 modules, we had to find out why anyone would want to use a C32 module in the first place. Obviously, the reasons are its low cost and compact size.

There are many HCS12 families available now, but the C32 family is the most affordable.  We do not encourage students to learn the HCS12 with the C32 family because it imposes some unnecessary restrictions on beginners who already have many new things to learn. Our C32 modules are best used in low cost OEM products or as robot controllers.

There are already two C32 modules available on the marketplace now.  One is the Chips12- designed with great German Engineering and another one is the NanoCore12-made by TechnologicalArts, a great Motorola advocate. Both modules look like high quality products as well as the boards made by Softec, Newmicros, Bipom and Kevin Ross. Our challenge is to make a high quality product at a lower cost and offer a greater value to our customers. 

There are many features we would like to put on our modules, but the main challenge was to make it small and the most affordable module.  We carefully considered many features such as the following:

RS232 interface
Real-time clock
Temperature controller
Ultra-sonic distance detector
DAC
7-segment display
CAN interface
RS485 interface
IR transceiver
RF transceiver
external EEPROM
Relay
Opto-coupler

Our design criteria was that if a feature would not be used by more than 50% of end user applications, we would not implement it. So a majority of users would not have to pay for something they are unlikely to use. Therefore the only potential survivors were external EEPROM and a CAN interface.  The on-chip flash memory can be used as non-volatile memory and Motorola has an app note for such an application.  But in reality, it's much more complex and harder to use.  For a prototype board, external EEPROM is a lot easier to use.  The CAN is a very important feature on the HCS12 controllers and should not be overlooked, so we only provide EEPROM and CAN on our modules.  Other features will be implemented off module if they are necessary.

Like an IC chip, the module cannot work by itself.  It must be powered by a docking board or other similar carrier boards so it will be more cost effective to move the RS232 interface chip off the module and place the chip on its docking board.  In some embedded applications, the SCI is either not used or only used at the TTL level. Therefore, the RS232 interface chip MAX232 would be a waste in those applications. It's not only expensive but it  also occupies too much room and wastes two I/O pins on a small C32 module.

 

Which board to order?

We have designed many C32 modules from 14-pin SIP to 40-pin DIP.  After 6 months of marketing we have discovered that our most popular module voted by professors, students and users is the DF12-DIP40R.  For the time being, the DIP40R module is available to the schools and students and other hobbyists.  Other modules will be available to OEM only until 2006.

When the new three boards are available for the C32 family, it may be difficult to decide what's the best for your application, but it's really not very difficult if you follow the guidelines listed below:

1. DF12-DOCK40:  This is a convenient way and lowest cost to start your C32 experiments. The board is specially designed for using with a solderless breadboard. When it's plugged into a breadboard it stands on the board  vertically.  Because the RS232 cable runs horizontally so it won't rock the board back and forth easily as if it goes vertically.  For beginners who lack troubleshooting skills, the great reliability of this board will save you time in the learning process.  

Note: The C32 family is great for senior projects but not the best controller for learning the HCS12 programming. For a HCS12 trainer, the DP256 will be a better choice. See which HCS12 chip is the best for a trainer or a development board at:
www.evbplus.com/mc9s12chip.html

2. DF12-RBC:  When a university offers a robot introductory course for its ECE101, this board can be a good candidate.  It's not only a robot controller but also a simple development board. In a robot application, it can control 4 servos and monitor 4 digital or analog inputs. An on-board 5x2 header can be connected to a line follow sensor module.  The mounting hole pattern is identical to the pattern on some popular robots.  So whenever your robot controller reaches its limit  you can upgrade it to this powerful C32 board. When it's used as a development board with a solderless breadboard, I/O signals are available at an on-board 30x1 female header. 

3. DF12-SBC:  This board is the best  for an embedded application. The Small size allows it to be incorporated into many OEM products. Many popular 68HC11 boards, like Marvin Green's BotBoard or MIT's Handyboard or Motorola's EVBU board, are harder to get these days, The DF12-SBC will be a good replacement.