RDAIRPABPSI5UG , Rev. 2.0
Freescale Semiconductor
19
Installing the Software and Setting up the Hardware
6
Installing the Software and Setting up the Hardware
ARP software is built on basic low level MCU drivers (MCAL), which provide access to the modules ADC, GPIO, EEPROM, SPI, LINFlex,
etc. in the microcontroller, thus providing all necessary MCU functions. The upper software layer contains Complex Drivers for all main
ARP devices - Main Airbag ASIC MC33789 (Analog system Basis Chip (ASBC) Driver), Central Accelerometer MMA6813KW (ACC
Driver), and Four Channel Squib Driver MC33797 (SQUIB Driver). These drivers have an MCU independent API, which means no
modification of ASBC, SQUIB or ACC drivers is needed for all MCU derivatives (8/16/32-bit).
Figure 7. SW Design Concept
6.1 Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)
The software architecture for this Airbag Reference Platform uses a Hardware Abstraction Layer that removes details of working with a
MPC560xP 32-bit microcontroller. This will allow a developer to focus attention on the application tasks instead of focusing on the very
specific functionality of the MCU used. Software applications can then be created based on a higher level of understanding.
6.2 GUI - FreeMASTER Software
FreeMASTER software was designed to provide a debugging, diagnostic, and demonstration tool for the development of algorithms and
applications. Moreover, it's very useful for tuning the application for different power stages and motors, because almost all the application
parameters can be changed via the FreeMASTER interface. This consists of a component running on a PC and another part of the
component running on the target controller, connected via an RS-232 serial port or USB. A small program is resident in the controller that
communicates with the FreeMASTER software to parse commands, return status information to the PC, and process control information
from the PC. FreeMASTER software, executed on the PC, uses Microsoft Internet Explorer as the user interface.