Embedded system development platform

摘要

A modular development platform is described which enables creation of reliable, compact, physically robust and power efficient embedded device prototypes. The platform consists of a base module which holds a processor and one or more peripheral modules each having an interface element. The base module and the peripheral modules may be electrically and/or physically connected together. The base module communicates with peripheral modules using packets of data with an addressing portion which identifies the peripheral module that is the intended recipient of the data packet.

主权项

1. A modular prototype development platform comprising:
a base module that sends, by a processor, data packets over a bus to individual ones of a plurality of peripheral modules, individual ones of the data packets including an addressing portion and a data portion; the plurality of peripheral modules, wherein an individual peripheral module of the plurality of peripheral modules includes an interface element that reads the addressing portion of a data packet to determine if the data portion of the data packet is for the individual peripheral module, the data portion including an instruction for the individual peripheral module to power up or power down within a sequence determined by the base module, wherein the sequence specifies that the individual peripheral module is to be powered up or powered down before or after one or more other peripheral modules of the plurality of peripheral modules are to be powered up or are powered down, and wherein the base module, the plurality of peripheral modules, and the bus form at least part of a single embedded prototype development device.