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Development kit enables real-time energy profiling

Energy Micro has introduced a development kit for its EFM32 Gecko MCU family providing users with a new AEM (advanced energy monitoring) system. Featuring a large in-built LCD screen and preconfigured GUI, AEM enables users to accurately view a prototype application's current consumption data in real time, enabling early identification and removal of adverse energy drains. Modular in construction, the kit comprises a motherboard, a plug-in MCU card (available either with or without a 160-segment LCD) and a large plug-in protoyping card for rapid application development. Based on an efficient ARM Cortex M3 microcontroller architecture, the target EFM32G MCU running at 3V consumes less than 180µA per MHz in executing code from flash. To simplify application debugging and programming, the kit features an on-board USB / J-Link emulator and standard 20pin debug connector. The kit's GPIO interfaces are comprehensive and include LEDs, DIP and pushbutton switches, a mini joystick and potentiometer. Analogue options comprise a light sensor, three-axis accelerometer and audio line-in / line-out, while communications ports provided are 2 x RS232 serial, I2C and an IR transceiver.