Flowcode Support Board

Hi

One of the products offered by Matrix is TINA, a Circuit Design suite that allows you to design and simulate an electronic circuit including the ability to run Flowcode created firmware whilst simulating, and it also allows you to then create a PCB from your design.

Many similar products out there and each have their own pro's and con's. I have been using TINA for a number of years as it cost effectively meets my needs.

Yesterday I upgraded to the latest version, TINA v15 which along with the normal improvements you would expect in a new release introduces Artificial Intelligence. Whilst I admit I haven't played much with it yet, it is pretty cool to type in something like "design a LED flasher" and have a circuit appear that you can edit and do what you like with from within the suite. You can also ask it to explain a circuit.

That's my girlfriend's Christmas gift sorted. She won't like, understand or use it but it is the thought that counts, right???

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Regards

Had an email from DesignSoft yesterday too... Interesting that it can run Flowcode - do you need a specific version?

I last looked at a demo v10 - so maybe worth another look,

As it's Christmas time - I have 5 gift Elektor subscriptions (courtesy of Elektor) 4 months (2 issues) electronic (see https://www.elektormagazine.com/referral-december) if anyone is interested - PM me your email and first 5 will get an extra christmas gift?

And to second Iain's Christmas wishes to all.

Martin

Hi Martin

The ability of TINA to simulate Flowcode created firmware has been available for a good number of years, more than I can remember and maybe even as far back as v10. The difference in price between capabilities is dependant upon needs, but all allow MCU simulation (even student).

It has a reasonable offering of MCUs including ARM/AVR/STM/Pi/PICs(huge) and you would simply create your chart in Flowcode, compile to Hex and "embed" within the TINA component. It has examples of using FC created code too. You can also enter your own C / ASM if you prefer.

However don't expect the grandeur of Flowcode itself. Simulating any microcontroller in any design package isn't perfect (despite many packages costing in the thousands for only a single MCU variant). You need to play with settings to get the best out of it, mainly to do with timing of the simulation.

For my admittedly modest needs it fitted my price point perfectly and funnily enough it may have been a discount offer in Elektor / PE or the like that got me interested in the first place. You also get access to TINA Cloud, an online version that you can access from any internet connection using a browser.

Technical Support is in my opinion excellent, rarely waiting more than a few hours for a reply, and I have never had anything unresolved as they do go the extra mile.

Regards