Echelon NodeBuilder FX - Manual (Page 20)

6 Introduction
Neuron C Version 2.2 Enhancements
The new features in the Neuron C Version 2.2 programming language include interrupt support,
non-constant device-specific configuration properties, and new and enhanced compiler directives.
These new features are detailed in the Neuron C Programmer’s Guide and Neuron C Reference Guide.
Interrupt Support
The 5000 Series chips support hardware user interrupts in addition to the support provided through I/O
models. The Neuron C Version 2.2 language includes new keywords to manage hardware user
interrupts and a semaphore for application programs. The 5000 Series chips support the following
three types of interrupts: I/O interrupts, timer/counter driven interrupts, and periodic system interrupts.
When the 5000 Series chips are running at a system clock rate of 20 MHz or greater, these interrupts
execute in the separate interrupt processor on the chips, which improves the performance of the
interrupt and the device application.
Non-Constant Device-Specific Configuration Property Support
The Neuron C Version 2.2 language supports non-constant device-specific configuration properties.
Non-constant device-specific configuration properties have values that can be modified by the device
application, an LNS network tool such as the LonMaker tool, or another tool not based on LNS. For
example, a thermostat may include a user interface that allows the user to change the setpoint.
New and Enhanced Compiler Directives
The Neuron C Version 2.2 language includes new compiler directives and existing compiler directives
that have been enhanced to help you develop location-independent and modular code.
You can enable and disable specific errors and warnings using the new #error and #warning compiler
directives. You can use the new #pragma library directive to indicate custom library that is required.
You can use enhanced buffer control directives for statements of minimum or final requirements.
Compiler directives for control of the Neuron C Optimizer have been streamlined, and a new
optimization phase for generating more compact code has been added.
Enhanced Hardware Template Editor
The Hardware Template Editor in the NodeBuilder tool now supports hardware templates based on the
Neuron 5000 Processor or the FT 5000 Smart Transceiver, and is now available as a standalone tool.
For 5000 Series chips, you use the Hardware Template Editor to map external non-volatile memory
from 0x4000 to 0xE7FF in the Neuron address space (a maximum of 42 KB). The 5000 Series chips
support external serial EEPROM or serial flash devices for off-chip non-volatile memory. Echelon
currently supports and provides drivers for three flash devices (Atmel AT25F512AN, ST
M25P05-AVMN6T, and SST25VF512A).
For more information on using the Hardware Template Editor, see Using Hardware Templates in
Chapter 5.
Enhanced Code Wizard Framework Template
The new Code Wizard Framework Version 3 Template supports large functional block and network
variable counts and includes fixes and improvements to code, code layout, and comments. New device
applications are automatically built using the Version 3 templates, and you can manually upgrade
existing applications to this version. The Code Wizard also supports continued maintenance of
applications based on Version 2 templates. For more information on upgrading existing device
applications to the new Code Wizard framework template, see Using Code Wizard Templates in
Chapter 6.