Lpc2000

Since there were some questions regarding licenses for our products, 
I'm taking the liberty to answer.

--- In lpc2000@yahoogroups.com, Rob Jansen <rob@m...> wrote:
>
> Eric Engler wrote:
> > They are a very interesting company, but I have 2 concerns:
> >
> > 1) how many of the demos require the closed source libs or RTOS 
in
> > order to function?
> >
> > 2) I guess there is no USB demo program?
> >   
> The sample code mentioned is all without use of the RTOS (except 
for the 
> RTOS examples delivered).
> The code that came with the lpc2103 christmas tree uses the RTOS 
but the 
> samples delivered with the lpc2106/38/48 boards do not.
> 
> The education board contains a test program in Flash that uses USB 
> (mouse emulation using the joystick), such a test program was also 
> delivered with the lpc2148 quickstart module but there is no 
source code 
> for this program delivered with the board.
> 
> 1) Indeed, would be great if they had used some sourced OS like 
OpenRTOS 
> or Micro OS-II instead.
> 

Rob, you're absolutely correct in your description. The sample 
applications are written to illustrate how different features in the 
LPC2xxx chips can be activated and used. No RTOS is needed for these 
sample applications.
Then we also provide a library of our own RTOS that can be freely 
used on our QuickStart/Education Boards, just as a little added 
bonus. For commercial applications we sell a license for this RTOS 
(including the source code).
For hobbyists this is of course not interesting, but it is possible 
to port the FreeRTOS and/or uCos-II with little effort to our boards.

> 2) Not (yet), maybe they could open the source of their USB.
>    Of course, this may not be possible if they use some commercial 
solution.
> 

Unfortunately we cannot make the source code public right now. We 
have to write our own driver for this, which is on the `to-do' list 
but not yet on top of the list. Some form of sample driver will be 
available during the spring. It will be samples code to get you up-
and-running, but not a complete USB stack.

> I've also got a few questions left for them:
> 
> The example code is delivered with some libraries and a build 
environment.
> There are (C) statements in the examples and build environment 
files 
> (make file, link files and startup/environment code).
> These files must be bound to some license so there are limitations 
on 
> distribution of these files as part of your own program.
> 
> 
> 1) I guess it is not allowed to distribute these files with Gnu 
GPL 
> software (cause that would void the Embedded Artists license)
> 2) Is it allowed to use these files with your own commercial 
product?
> 3) Is it allowed to use these files with your own non-commercial 
product 
> that is distributed as source code?
> 

You are correct. I realize that we could be somewhat clearer on this 
issue. We will update our documentation with this information in 
coming revisions. 
The answer is: yes to question 2) and 3) but please remember that 
these files have been produced as an added value for our customers 
when using our boards. Please keep the copyright notice in the 
headers.
The answer right now to question 1) is: no, since we do not provide 
a proper license text with our framework. We will have an internal 
discussion and see how we can make life simpler for our customers. 
Maybe we can release the files with a more suitable license model.

> I know that Embedded Artists follows this yahoo group, maybe they 
could 
> reply to the list.
> 
> Rob
>

That is certainly true. This is an excellent group with many 
relevant discussions, and some fun every now and then...

This coming week we will add more detailed information about the new 
expansion boards 
(http://www.embeddedartists.com/products/education/index.php).

And, Rob, the boards are "cool-back" instead of "dull-green" :-)


Regards,
Anders Rosvall
Embedded Artists