1. What does Pinnacle 52 include?
2. Does Pinnacle 52 include a C compiler?
3. How much does Pinnacle 52 cost?
4. Why doesn't the Simulator version include the ability to save Code Memory?
5. Does Pinnacle's assembler support macros?
6. Can I compile code written in other assemblers with Pinnacle?
7. I just want to use the Simulator. Do I have to assemble in Pinnacle?
8. What 8052 derivative chips does Pinnacle support?
9. Does Pinnacle support memory maps from third party software?
10. How does Pinnacle support I2C simulation?

Pinnacle 52 is a full-featured IDE which includes an integrated assembler, linker, simulator, and editor. Please click here for more information about the features of Pinnacle 52.

Pinnacle 52 is available in three different levels of functionality: Pinnacle Professional, Pinnacle Simulator, and Pinnacle Site License. The cost and description of each can be found on the order page.

The demo version of Pinnacle 52 available for download is fully functional with the following limitations: 1) Assembled, linked, and simulated programs are limited to 2k of executable code. 2) You may not save disassembled code from the Simulator's Code Memory window to a disk file.

Both of these features will be enabled when you purchase the Professional version. If you buy the Simulator only, you will be able to simulate 64k programs, but you will not be able to assemble and link more than 2k of code, nor will you be able to save Code Memory to a disk file.

Pinnacle was designed to support standard 8052 assembly langauge and the most useful additional features. Most assembly language programs written with other MCS-51 tools should be able to be assembled under Pinnacle with minor modification to the source code.

If you try to assemble your existing code with Pinnacle and have major problems, we would be interested in hearing from you about the complication you had so that we may consider expanding Pinnacle's support for other assembler's syntax and directives.

9. Does Pinnacle support memory maps from third party software?

At this time, only one: Metalink. Supporting memory maps from third party software means you, as a user of Pinnacle and some other development system, can compile your programs with the assembler or the compiler of some other system, load the resulting HEX file into the Pinnacle Simulator, and then load the map file generated by the other system into the Simulator. This makes some symbols available to you in the Code Memory window even though the program was compiled in an external program.

If you would like Pinnacle to support the map file format of some other third-party software not currently supported by Pinnacle, please contact us and let us know. We'll do our best to support the map file format as soon as possible.

10. How does Pinnacle support I2C simulation?

Pinnacle supports I2C simulation by allowing the user to assign I/O lines (such as P0.2, P0.3, etc.) as the SDA and SCL lines that make up the I2C bus. Then, based on the changes that your program causes on those lines, an I2C communication session is simulated.

Currently Pinnacle has provisions to support the following I2C devices:

1. Microchip 24LC164 Serial EEPROM
2. Dallas DS1307 Real-Time Clock
3. Dallas DS1803 Dual Pot

If your project needs Pinnacle to support some other I2C device, please contact us. VIS is available to develop additional I2C parts on a contract basis.

If you've reviewed the Frequently Asked Questions mentioned above and still don't have an answer to your question, please drop us an e-mail so that we may review your question and get an answer to you as soon as possible.