Software tools & Arduino libraries support EVE ICs

7th August 2014

Future Technology Devices International Limited

Nat Bowers

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Designed to support engineers using the FT800 and FT801 Embedded Video Engine (EVE) graphic controller ICs, FTDI Chip has announced supply a comprehensive suite of additional support facilities. This support includes a behaviour modelling software tool, a development module, a Windows-based software tool and a set of Arduino libraries.

The EVE Emulator Library is a behaviour modelling software tool allowing engineers to emulate the display and touch functions of the FT800 without hardware. It will soon be updated to include support for the FT801 (in single touch rather than multi-touch mode). Delivering high level emulation on the Windows operating system, engineers can quickly create demos to show project managers or prospective customers. It features an exact SPI/I²C interface configuration and consistent memory map of FT800/FT801 silicon. With EVE sample applications utilising a hardware abstraction layer (HAL) to make the application logic fully independent from the hardware platform, sample applications can be adapted on the EVE emulator with the need to alter the application logic.

A development module for the FT800, the VM800BU, has also been released. With a USB interface provided by a FT232H bridging IC, it is no longer necessary to source a separate USB converter cable, as the necessary functionality is already present within the board itself.

A Windows-based software tool, engineers can use the EVE Screen Editor to study display commands and also to experiment with generating their own display lists to control the ICs. Combined with FTDI Chip’s MPSSE cable, it can be used to access various EVE development platforms - without writing any supplementary code.

The company's Arduino libraries have been further updated to support the FT800 and FT801 controllers. The FT800 and FT801 Arduino libraries are available to download from the FTDI Chip website.

Paul Huang, Display Product Line Manager, FTDI Chip, comments: “For FTDI Chip ‘Design Made Easy’ is not just a strapline, it represents the company’s core philosophy. It is all about providing our customers with an environment that is conducive to unbounded creativity. By enhancing and updating the support provisions available for EVE and continuing to expand their scope, we have set the foundations upon which engineers can implement inspirational, highly effective human machine interfaces.”