IDE targets ARM Cortex-A development

By Eric Brown
2010-03-01

Article Rating:

/ 3

Rate This Article:

Add This Article To:

ARM has released a tool-suite meant to simplify the development of Linux and Android native applications for systems based on ARM Cortex-A cores. Keil Development Studio 5 (DS-5) Application Edition comprises an Eclipse IDE, plus a compiler, debugger, and simulator, and offers support for TI's OMAX35x-based Evaluation Module and BeagleBoard.

Available from ARM's tools division, Keil, the Keil DS-5 Application Edition is designed to shorten the development and testing cycle for ARM Cortex-A-based system-on-chips (SoCs), says ARM. Keil DS-5 supports Linux and Android native application development with a GNU compiler optimized for ARM Linux, and with an Ethernet or serial connection to the target, says the company.

DS-5 is built around an Eclipse-based integrated development environment (IDE) that offers support for multiple workspaces and projects, and provides C/C++ and assembler code editing functions. In addition, DS-5 supplies a GNU Compiler (GCC) 4.4.1-based compiler with enhanced support for Cortex-A5, Cortex-A8, and Cortex-A9 cores, says ARM.

Keil DS-5 architecture

An integrated Linux application debugger, meanwhile, provides "detailed graphical views and processor control mechanisms," says ARM. DS-5's debugger (pictured below) is said to offer views of synchronized source and disassembly, memory, registers, variables, threads, call stack, and conditional breakpoints.

Keil DS-5 debugging application
(Click to enlarge)

DS-5 also provides a "fast model" of an ARM Cortex-A8 SoC "for rapid ARM Linux development without the need for any hardware target," says the company. The model is said to simulate the processor, memory controller, and peripherals, including an LCD controller, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, UARTs, and Ethernet and USB controllers.

DS-5 automates the downloading of applications and libraries to the target's file system, launching apps and libraries before connecting the debugger, says ARM. DS-5 also includes two Linux example projects: the Gnometris application and the Libgames-support shared library.

The development suite is said to be preconfigured for the Texas Instruments (TI) OMAP35x-based OMAP35x evaluation module (EVM) and TI's DigiKey-distributed BeagleBoard (pictured at right), which is aimed more at the hobbyist community. The OMAP3530, which also populates the BeagleBoard, is the high-end model in TI's OMAP35xx portfolio of SoCs. The OMAP3530 is based on ARM's Cortex-A8 core, which offers superscalar processing and is clocked at 600MHz. The OMAP3530 incorporates Imagination Technologies' SGX 2D/3D graphics processor and a TI TMS320C64x DSP core clocked at 430MHz.

The Keil DS-5 Application Edition is the first of three planned DS-5 editions, says ARM. Future editions will include kernel and driver debug and trace, as well as the ARM Compiler.

Stated Carol de Vries, R&D manager automotive, NXP, "The industry-standard Eclipse design environment enables the integration of plug-ins from several tool vendors into a single framework. Eclipse-based tools such as DS-5 help us be more efficient when developing software for our multi-architecture automotive devices."

Stated John Cornish, EVP and GM, system design division, ARM, "DS-5 represents a significant addition to our Keil tools portfolio and has been designed specifically for developers wishing to develop Linux applications for ARM processor-based systems."

Availability

The Keil Development Studio 5 (DS-5) Application Edition is now available for download, and can be used for free until Sep. 30, says ARM. More information, and links to downloads, may be found here.

The company will be demonstrating a Linux application debug app using DS-5 and the BeagleBoard at Embedded World, starting tomorrow, March 2-4, in Nuremberg, Germany, at the Keil booth (10 - 231).

Related Stories:

	Discuss IDE targets ARM Cortex-A development

	>>> Be the FIRST to comment on this article!



	>>> More News Articles >>> More By Eric Brown

Email Article To Friend ♦ Print Version Of Article ♦ PDF Version Of Article

FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.