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I want to buy an evaluation board for my masters project.
1. The programming should be stored in flash not EEPROM. 2. The compiler should be launched from command line (passing the source code file as parameter) 3. The uploading the resulting object code to the evaulation board should be via command line (i.e. no visual interface because the source code files will be sent for compilation over internet). 4. and preferably it should be 8051.
is this possible with any of the evaluation boards/emulators available here?
"1. The programming should be stored in flash not EEPROM."
EEPROM = Electrically Erasable PROM; Flash is a type of EEPROM.
Did you mean, "not UV-EPROM"?
"The compiler should be launched from command line (passing the source code file as parameter)"
The compiler is completely separate from the board! Buying any particular board will not tie you to any particular compiler, and vice-versa.
"no visual interface because the source code files will be sent for compilation over internet"
There is no reason why files sent over the internet should not be used in conjunction with a visual interface!
"and preferably it should be 8051."
It's usually better to start with your project requirements and then identify a suitable processor, rather than fix the processor and try to force it to meet your requirements!
"is this possible with any of the evaluation boards/emulators available here?"
Yes, the Keil tools can be command-line driven
First of all, thank you for your reply.. I really appreciate helping me in this matter.
Here is a quick review of the system to understand my requirements: 1. the kit will be connected to unattended host pc. I.e. no user will be using this pc. 2. system user will connect to the host pc and send the source code files via internet for compilation, downloading to kit, running the software and then posting back the results via a web camera module. Also, I want to be able to send back the status of the kit and any other useful info like ports status,..etc
My requirements: 1. Flash memory: I want to be able to program the kit without need to use any external device like UV Burner. I want to be able to download my code directly from the pc to the kit. 2. Tools: all tools should be command line including the tool for downloading the object code to the flash. Again, the host machine will be unattended and every task should be done from windows service or an application without user interface. 3. 8051: this is because my previous experience during collegue (I.e. 5 years back :) ) was using 8051. and I didn't want to spend time learning a new MCU even if it's better as long as there is an 8051 kit that can satisfies my requirements.
Again, Thank you
1. the kit will be connected to unattended host pc. I.e. no user will be using this pc.
Unless the network connection is severly limited in terms of bandwidth (i.e. 56k modem or slower), there are plenty of solutions that will give you access to the graphical interface of the host PC over the internet. Some versions of Windows come with this functionality built-in, even. Other systems can use a solution like VNC.
However, since most IDEs are just front-ends for command-line tools (compiler, linker, etc), basically any compiler can be used as a command-line tool.
1. Flash memory: I want to be able to program the kit without need to use any external device like UV Burner. I want to be able to download my code directly from the pc to the kit.
Any recent evaluation kit will satisfy this.
"2. system user will connect to the host pc..."
What/who is the "system user"?
"...send the source code files via internet for compilation..."
Why would you want to send the source files for remote compilation?
Surely, it'd be far better for the developer to do the build locally on his/her own machine, and just send the resulting executable image for downloading?
This is going to be a very cumbersome way to develop 8051 applications!
With the enormous price (not!) of evaluation boards, it is quite common that the universities lends out evaluation boards, so that students can sit at home and develop their applications.
Then it is enough to either upload the final binary or to travel to the university and on-site demonstrate the completed project.
The only time when this concept does not work, is when using commercial licenses that requires onsite usage. But in that case, the license may already forbid the sharing of a single computer by a large number of students.
Don't Keil do special deals for educational institutions...?
Even if Keil don't, I'm sure others do...
Or, if compiler cost is such an issue, how about SDCC - it's free! http://sdcc.sourceforge.net/