MikroElektronika has released SiBRAIN, a standard for add-on development boards that make it easy to install and swap MCUS on development boards equipped with SiBRAIN sockets. The card can support MCUS from major manufacturers such as Microchip, STMicroelectronics, NXP and Texas Instruments, with others coming soon. It enables embedded designers to try out various MCUS in prototype systems without having to invest in expensive hardware or learn new tools.
"Because there is no universal standardization, there is a specific set of instructions, new learning tools, new boards and purchasing licenses, and new processes for each different microcontroller. "The SiBRAIN card and socket standard is a game changer, saving months of wasted development time and money and providing great design flexibility."Nebojsa Matic, CEO of MIKROE said.
The device uses the same plug-and-play concept that underpins the company's Click Board line of products. Depending on the type of microcontroller, its number of pins, and the number of external components required, there are different additional boards. Each board is an independent unit, enabling the development system to work at a logical level without having to facilitate the special needs of many different MCUS. This gives the designer a free hand in choosing the MCU, regardless of pin count or pin compatibility. Most importantly, this approach allows designers to simply swap SiBRAIN MCU cards during development without the need for additional hardware.
Each card comes with two high-speed 168-pin sandwich connectors (one male and one female) with standard SiBRAIN socket pins. The card can easily be installed on any development board with the slot, and the intelligent design eliminates the possibility of incorrect orientation and placement. The company already offers more than 100 SiBRAIN boards covering popular MCUS such as STM32, PIC32, TIVA, MSP432, Kinetis, and more, with new cards added every week.
