Freescale Tower System

The Freescale Tower System is a simple concept: take basic hardware modules, connect them together and start designing. Tower System is a modular development platform for 8-, 16- and 32-bit microcontrollers and microprocessors that enables advanced development through rapid prototyping. Featuring multiple development boards or modules, the Tower System provides designers with building blocks for entry-level to advanced microcontroller development.

Take your design to the next level with the Freescale Tower System. Freescale's modular development platform saves you months of development time now and in the future through rapid prototyping and tool re–use. Interchangeable and reusable modules along with open source design files make it easy to customize your design and reduce low level design giving you more time to focus on differentiated solutions. Sold in kits or as individual modules, the expansion of your Tower System from a development tool into a development platform is simple and cost effective.

Build your Tower System in 3 steps or less:

1. Choose a processor module
2. Select your peripheral modules
3. Attach to elevator modules

Features:

Modular and Expandable:

• Controller modules provide easy-to-use, reconfigurable hardware
• Interchangeable peripheral modules make customization easy
• Open-source hardware and standardized specifications promote the development of additional modules for added functionality and customization

Speeds Development Time:

• Open source hardware and software allow quick development with proven designs
• Integrated debugging interface allows for easy programming and run control via standard USB cable

Cost Effective:

• Interchangeable peripheral modules can be re-used with all Tower System controller modules, eliminating the need to purchase redundant hardware for future designs
• Enabling technologies like LCD, Wi-Fi, motor control, serial and memory interfacing are offered off-the-shelf at a low cost to provide a customized enablement solution

Software Enablement and Support:

• Freescale, along with the Freescale Connect partner program, offers comprehensive solutions, including development tools, debuggers, programmers and software.

Complimentary Software and Tools:

• Freescale MQX RTOS, TCP/IP stacks, file system, USB stacks and more
• Freescale Linux BSP
• CodeWarrior Development Studio
• Processor Expert Software: Create, configure, optimize, migrate and deliver software components that generate source code for Freescale silicon
• Freescale eGUI: Graphical LCD driver for MCUs and eMPUs

Multiple Power Options:

• Powered entirely over a USB cable via a host PC or USB wall power adaptor
• Alternatively, power can be supplied to the Tower System via a screw terminal on the primary elevator
• Protection circuitry is built into all Tower System modules to avoid contention on the power rails
• Although power can be supplied through any module, power supplied through the elevator modules takes precedence

Example Configurations: