Microcontroller designers typically strip down the hardware to the bare minimum. This generally requires an expensive in-circuit emulator (ICE) to debug applications. Now, Motorola has found a way around this. Its new HCS12 line of 16-bit microcontrollers includes a built-in background debug mode (BDM) that eliminates the need for an ICE. This significantly lowers development costs and makes microcontroller development practical for smaller shops. BDM also allows in-circuit debugging, making field diagnostics practical. The architecture is similar to that found on higher-end 32-bit microcontrollers. A small pod connects the microcontroller to a PC. It handles protocol conversion from the single-pin microcontroller BDM interface to the serial PC interface.
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