Eight controller modules have been announced by Freescale for its Tower System. The universal 8bit Tower controller module, TWR-S08UNIV, includes a controller module with microcontroller daughter cards featuring the company's S08 and RS08 microcontrollers. The TWR-MCF51JF and TWR-MCF51QM controller modules are based on the ColdFire+ MCF51JF128 and MCF51QM128 respectively. Both feature an on-board, open-source debug interface, capacitive touch pads, audio capture and playback, and a general purpose TWRPI (Tower plug-in) socket. Additionally, the MCF51JF includes a USB 2.0 dual-role interface; whereas the MCF51QM provides access to high-precision analogue IO. The TWR-K53N512 controller module features the MK53N512CMD100, from the Kinetis K50 family. The microcontroller family adds an analogue measurement engine consisting of integrated operational and transimpedance amplifiers; ADC and DAC modules. The module provides on-board debug interface, capacitive touch, accelerometer and TWRPI socket and adds an expansion connector to access the analogue measurement engine. It also comes with the TWRPI-SLCD module featuring a segment LCD. The TWR-S08GW64 module features the MC9S08GW64 with an integrated segment LCD controller, dual 16bit ADCs, low-power position counter and an independent RTC. It has an on-board, open-source debug interface, potentiometers for ADC input and LCD contrast adjustment. These, in combination with simulated input for three-phase AC voltage and current, and an RS232 port, make the module suitable for metering development. The TWR-S12G128 and TWR-S12G32 modules are demonstration and development boards for the MC9S12G128 and MC9S12GN32 16bit automotive microcontrollers. They both feature integrated open-source debug and software tools. All microcontroller signals are available on one or both of the Tower elevator connectors. The MC9S12GN32 provides 16bit wide accesses without wait states for all peripheral access. This module is designed for automotive applications which require LIN/J2602 communications, in body controllers and occupant detection. The company has also released three peripheral modules and four comprehensive kits, also for the reconfigurable system.
