ALFATxp Development System

This is the Olimex prototyping board for the LPC2148 processor pre-loaded with the powerful ALFATxp firmware from GHI electronics. The ALFATxp firmware is basically a FAT16 IC that is controlled with a serial based command set. But there are many more perks lurking beneath the surface! The ALFATxp firmware runs fast, clean, and supports many interfaces (SPI, I2C, and UART) and many formats (FAT12, FAT16, FAT32). On top of all of that, the LPC2148 enumerates as a USB mass storage device and can even run Java code internally!

Here is how one might setup a system : Your micro talks to the LPC2148 (loaded with ALFATxp firmware) telling it to log certain temperature information to an SD card. The ALFAT firmware takes care of all the directory structure and FAT updating. When the LPC2148 is attached to a computer, the USB kicks in and you see a new drive on your computer (Windows, Linux, and Mac supported!). On this new drive you will be able to access the files that your micro created - downloading the data to your computer by dragging and dropping!

The ALFATxp firmware also incorporates Java Virtual Machine (JVM). This means that you can load java code directly onto the mass storage device through your computer, and that java code will run on the LPC2148. There is no need for an external microcontroller!

Features:

• FAT32, FAT16 and FAT12 support
• Supports directories and sub-directories
• Runs with simple robust protocol on UART, SPI or I2C
• Can be easily used with any microcontroller including PIC, AVR
• Supports MultiMedia Card (MMC) and Secure Digital (SD) memory cards
• Simultaneous multi file access
• Field upgradeable firmware
• Firmware can be updated from a file on the connected media
• Java virtual Machine
• All FAT, USB and peripherals are accessible from Java programs
• Built in 10-bit ADC
• USB device hardware
• USB<->serial where serial protocol can be SPI, UART or I2C
• All I/O pins are 5 volt tolerant
• Very few external components are needed
• Small LQFP 64 package
• -40C to +85C temperature operating range
• Lead free

Applications:

• Data Logger
• Picture viewer
• MP3 players
• Digital cameras
• Automated machines

Documents: For the latest firmware and datasheet, please visit GHI Electronics ALFATxp download section