Design Automation


Code analysis tool optimises low-power designs

13 June 2012 Design Automation

Texas Instruments launched the ULP Advisor software code analysis tool, teaching developers how to create energy-efficient, low-power applications with MSP430 microcontrollers. Created by MSP430 experts, the tool is a true software-based power-optimisation teaching tool for microcontrollers.

ULP Advisor provides a static code analyser that flags software code and offers low-power tips and tricks to help developers understand where to improve code, line by line, resulting in milliamps and nanoamps saved in designs for ultimate low-power performance.

This hands-on teaching tool not only helps developers optimise current application code to achieve longer battery life, it also helps them avoid the same types of ultra-low-power pitfalls when designing future applications.

The tool works by checking code against a thorough specification list of ‘ultra-low-power best practices,’ flagging and itemising each ultra-low-power rule violation via a graphical user interface. It highlights areas of improvement and provides comprehensive resources on how to optimise applications for ultra-low power.

An interactive, community-focused wiki offers information specific to each rule, code examples, videos, tutorials, links to relevant technical documentation and promotes collaboration between experts and beginners where anyone can contribute ultra-low-power insight. The free software tool supports all MSP430 devices and applications, and is integrated into TI’s Eclipse-based Code Composer Studio integrated development environment (IDE) v5 and included in the latest version of IAR Embedded Workbench.



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

General-purpose evaluation board
Altron Arrow DSP, Micros & Memory
Based on the 32-bit Arm Cortex-M7 S32K3 MCU in a 172 HDQFP package, the S32K3X4EVB-T172 offers dual cores configured in lockstep mode, ASIL D safety hardware, and HSE security engine.

Read more...
Zero drift current shunt monitors
Altron Arrow Power Electronics / Power Management
The NCS21671 and NCV21671 from onsemi are a series of voltage output current sense amplifiers offered in gains of 25, 50, 100, and 200 V/V.

Read more...
Wi-Fi 6/BLE module enables rapid development
Altron Arrow Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Telit Cinterion has announced the WE310K6, a fully integrated, low-power module featuring dual-band, dual-stream Wi-Fi 6, and dual-mode Bluetooth/BLE.

Read more...
Analysis of switch-mode power supply: inductor violations
Altron Arrow Editor's Choice Power Electronics / Power Management
Common switch-mode power supply (SMPS) design errors are discussed, and their appropriate rectification is specified, with details on complications that arise with the power stage design of DC-DC switching regulators.

Read more...
Microsoft Windows IoT on ARM
Altron Arrow Computer/Embedded Technology
This expansion means that the Windows IoT ecosystem can now harness the power of ARM processors, known for their energy efficiency and versatility.

Read more...
Accelerating the commercialisation of the 5G IoT markets
Altron Arrow Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Fibocom unveils Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) module MA510-GL, enabling satellite and cellular connectivity to IoT applications.

Read more...
Microchip introduces ECC608 TrustMANAGER
Altron Arrow Circuit & System Protection
To increase security on IoT products and facilitate easier setup and management, Microchip Technology has added the ECC608 TrustMANAGER with Kudelski IoT keySTREAM, Software as a Service (SaaS) to its Trust Platform portfolio of devices, services and tools.

Read more...
xG26 sets new standard in multiprotocol wireless device performance
Altron Arrow AI & ML
Silicon Labs has announced its new xG26 family of Wireless SoCs and MCUs, which consists of the multiprotocol MG26 SoC, the Bluetooth LE BG26 SoC, and the PG26 MCU.

Read more...
SolidRun unveils new SoM
Altron Arrow AI & ML
SolidRun and Hailo has unveiled a game-changer for engineers and AI product developers with the launch of their market-ready SoM, which packs the cutting-edge capabilities of the Hailo-15H SoC.

Read more...
An evolutionary step in customisable logic
Altron Arrow DSP, Micros & Memory
Microchip Technology is offering a tailored hardware solution with the launch of its PIC16F13145 family of microcontrollers, which are outfitted with a new Configurable Logic Block module.

Read more...