Atmel and dreams!

[Tom May]

Scott Chicoine <ScottC at zeno.com> writes:

> (lurk_suspend)
> 
> You don't really need an AT91 compiler, you just need an ARM7TDMI compiler.
> The only thing unique about the AT91 is that Atmel surrounded an ARM7TDMI
> core with a bunch of their own peripherals.  
> 
> They're certainly not the only chip manufacturer to do this.  My particular
> project uses the same CPU core in a different chip (see
> http://www.netsilicon.com/products/embedded.asp).  The development system
> I'm using is Tornado/VxWorks from Wind River.  Yes, it's out of reach of
> hobbyists, but my point is that they use the GNU tools, including a GCC port
> for their compiler.  I'll bet somebody has posted a feely available port of
> the GNU tools for the ARM.  

If they are distributing GCC or a derivative work, or any other
software based on GPL'd source, then they are obligated to provide
source for at most a nominal charge, and both source and binaries are
freely redistributable.

> I notice that Red Hat has an "embedded development kit" for the ARM for a
> reasonable fee (about $200?), which includes the GNU tools.

Ditto.  It's perfectly ok to simply copy GPL'd software from a friend.
If the authors did not agree with this, they wouldn't use the GPL.  If
some of the kit is not GPL'd, that's a different story.

> It appears they
> have, or are working on, an ARM version.  I suppose you could get that
> package and just use the tools, ignoring the Linux stuff.
> 
> Lastly, how about ARM themselves?  They have a low-cost evaluation board
> available that comes a tool chain as well.
> http://www.arm.com/sitearchitek/devtools.ns4/html/evaluator_7t?OpenDocument
> You might be able to use these tools on Atmel's board, too.
> 
> (lurk_resume)
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Theo [mailto:t.hogers at home.nl]
> > Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2000 11:30 PM
> > To: patchell
> > Cc: Bjorn Julin; synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl
> > Subject: Re: Atmel and dreams!
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > From: patchell <patchell at silcom.com>
> > >
> > > Theo wrote:
> > >
> > > > A budget (<$200) eval board for AT91  has been around 
> > since 2  years or
> > so.
> > > > However so far no budget programming language. :(
> > > >
> > >
> > >     Nobody has ported the GNU compiler to the Arm?
> > >
> > 
> > Probably yes, but the AT91 are no standard ARMs.
> > There has to be support for the additional THUMB instruction set to be
> > useful on the AT91 parts.
> > Have to look into this some time.....
> > 
> > Theo
> > 
> > > >
> > > > Hope this will change soon, ARM are way cool processors.
> > > >
> > > > Reg. Theo
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: Bjorn Julin <bnillson at hotmail.com>
> > > > Cc: <synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl>
> > > > Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2000 11:35 PM
> > > > Subject: Atmel and dreams!
> > > >
> > > > > Hi!
> > > > > Atmel is claiming this:
> > > > >
> > > > > Atmel's AT91 ARM Thumb microcontrollers provide
> > > > > the 32-bit performance every 8-bit microcontroller
> > > > > user is dreaming of while staying within his tight
> > > > > system budget.
> > > > >
> > > > > Yes, i like to dream to, but about naked women!
> > > > > Anyone seen any prices for the AT91??????
> > > > >
> > > > > BJ
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > ______________________________________________________________
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> > >
> > > --
> > >  -Jim
> > > ------------------------------------------------
> > > * Visit:http://www.silcom.com/~patchell/
> > > *-----------------------------------------------
> > > *If you didn't buy a home in Santa Barbara,
> > > * You didn't pay enough!
> > > ------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > >
> > 

fTom.