Freescale Kinetis Design Studio V3.0.0 came out early May this year. One of the new cool features is that it includes the Processor Expert V3.0.0 with an extended New Project Wizard. With this wizard I’m able to create and use Processor Expert projects with IAR Embedded Workbench and Keil MDK :-).

That way I can use all the new Kinetis Devices with IAR and Keil tools even if they are not included in the Driver Suite V10.4 yet. This tutorial shows how I can use both IAR Embedded Workbench and Keil MDK with the microcontroller supported in Kinetis Design Studio.

How does it work?

When creating a project for Kinetis Design Studio, it asks me which compiler I want to use. In the case of Processor Expert, there is the ProjectInfo.xml file generated which is read by the external IAR or Keil IDE. That ProjectInfo.xml gets updated inside KDS when I change Processor Expert options or add/remove components.

The ProjectInfo.xml contains all information needed by either Keil or IAR IDE: which device is used, what are the options/defines, what are the files, etc.

💡 Only Processor Expert projects create the ProjectInfo.xml file.

Below is an example of such a ProjectInfo.xml file:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--

  Copyright : 2012 Freescale, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  This configuration file is a standard interchange file that's format is maintained
  by Freescale, Inc. The configuration file is a derivative work
  of the Processor Expert Software technology licensed for use by customers
  as defined as SOFTWARE in the product's End User License Agreement. This file
  and format are free to use and distribute for read-only purposes. You do not have
  the right to create these files or modify this format or use for any purposes other
  than interchange with the Processor Expert Software technology.

  THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS".

  NO WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
  LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
  PURPOSE APPLY TO THIS SOFTWARE. IN NO EVENT WILL FREESCALE BE LIABLE, WHETHER
  IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT,
  CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR
  ANY LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF TIME, INCONVENIENCE, COMMERCIAL LOSS, OR LOST PROFITS,
  SAVINGS, OR REVENUES TO THE FULL EXTENT SUCH MAY BE DISCLAIMED BY LAW.

-->
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="ProjectInfoDescription.xsd">
  <PROCESSOR>
    <DeviceID>MK64FN1M0xxx12</DeviceID>
    <CoreNum>1</CoreNum>
    <Cores>
      <Core>
        <CoreSet>Cortex-M4</CoreSet>
      </Core>
    </Cores>
    <SRAMsize>256k</SRAMsize>
    <FLASHsize>1M</FLASHsize>
  </PROCESSOR>
  <PATHS>
    <LinkerCommandFile>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Project_Settings\Linker_Files\ProcessorExpert.ld</LinkerCommandFile>
    <IncludePaths>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\inc\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\src\sim\MK64F12\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\system\src\clock\MK64F12\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\system\inc\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\osa\inc\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\CMSIS\Include\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\MK64F12\include\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\MK64F12\startup\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\SDK\platform\devices\MK64F12\startup\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Sources\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\</Path>
    </IncludePaths>
    <SourceCodePaths>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\MK64F12\startup\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\drivers\src\rtc\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\src\mcg\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\src\osc\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\src\port\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\src\rtc\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\src\sim\MK64F12\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\osa\src\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\system\src\clock\MK64F12\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\system\src\clock\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\system\src\interrupt\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Sources\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Static_Code\System\</Path>
      <Path>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\MK64F12\startup\gcc\</Path>
    </SourceCodePaths>
  </PATHS>
  <FILES>
    <GeneratedCs>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\CLS1.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\CS1.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\Cpu.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\KIN1.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\KSDK1.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\UTIL1.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\WAIT1.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\clockMan1.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\hardware_init.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\osa1.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\pin_init.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\MK64F12\startup\system_MK64F12.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\startup.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\drivers\src\rtc\fsl_rtc_common.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\src\mcg\fsl_mcg_hal.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\src\mcg\fsl_mcg_hal_modes.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\src\osc\fsl_osc_hal.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\src\port\fsl_port_hal.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\src\rtc\fsl_rtc_hal.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\src\sim\MK64F12\fsl_sim_hal_MK64F12.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\osa\src\fsl_os_abstraction_bm.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\system\src\clock\MK64F12\fsl_clock_MK64F12.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\system\src\clock\fsl_clock_manager.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\system\src\clock\fsl_clock_manager_common.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\system\src\interrupt\fsl_interrupt_manager.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Sources\Events.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Sources\main.c</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Static_Code\System\PE_low_level_init.c</PathName>
    </GeneratedCs>
    <GeneratedHs>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\CLS1.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\CS1.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\Cpu.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\KIN1.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\KSDK1.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\PE_KSDK_Types.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\PE_low_level_init.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\SDK\platform\devices\MK64F12\startup\system_MK64F12.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\UTIL1.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\WAIT1.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\board.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\clockMan1.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\osa1.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Generated_Code\pin_init.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\CMSIS\Include\arm_common_tables.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\CMSIS\Include\arm_const_structs.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\CMSIS\Include\arm_math.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\CMSIS\Include\core_cm4.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\CMSIS\Include\core_cmFunc.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\CMSIS\Include\core_cmInstr.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\CMSIS\Include\core_cmSimd.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\MK64F12\include\MK64F12.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\MK64F12\include\MK64F12_extension.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\MK64F12\include\MK64F12_features.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\MK64F12\include\fsl_bitaccess.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\fsl_device_registers.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\startup.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\inc\fsl_mcg_hal.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\inc\fsl_mcg_hal_modes.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\inc\fsl_osc_hal.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\inc\fsl_port_hal.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\inc\fsl_rtc_hal.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\inc\fsl_sim_hal.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\hal\src\sim\MK64F12\fsl_sim_hal_MK64F12.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\osa\inc\fsl_os_abstraction.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\osa\inc\fsl_os_abstraction_bm.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\system\inc\fsl_clock_manager.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\system\inc\fsl_interrupt_manager.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\system\src\clock\MK64F12\fsl_clock_MK64F12.h</PathName>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\Sources\Events.h</PathName>
    </GeneratedHs>
    <GeneratedASMs>
      <PathName>C:\tmp\wsp_kds_3.0.0\k64f_pex_sdk\SDK\platform\devices\MK64F12\startup\gcc\startup_MK64F12.S</PathName>
    </GeneratedASMs>
  </FILES>
  <OPTIONS>
    <BuildOptions>
      <CCoptList>
       -D CPU_MK64FN1M0VLL12
       -D FSL_OSA_BM_TIMER_CONFIG=2  
      </CCoptList>
    </BuildOptions>
  </OPTIONS>
</export>

The only difference is how the Keil or IAR project then gets created, and how the settings are imported:

• Keil: this IDE has a startup import option to import (-i) the ProjectInfo.xml. So I can launch the Keil IDE from Eclipse with that option, and it will create me a Keil project, ready to use.
• IAR: The IAR Embedded Workbench has a Project Connector concept: I need to create a new empty project in IAR, then use the Project connector to link to the ProjectInfo.xml file, where it then reads all the necessary information.

Project Creation

The project creation is as for the Kinetis Design Studio which uses GNU GCC. Except that in the last dialog of the wizard I select either IAR or Keil to be used as compiler.

Create a new project with menu File > New > Kinetis Project. In that wizard, I select the processor or board. Then I select ‘Processor Expert‘ as option:

In the next dialog, select your tool of choice: either IAR or Keil:

💡 The compiler gets asked as well if creating a Kinetis SDK project *without* Processor Expert. But such a project cannot be used directly with IAR/Keil, as the linker file created by the wizard is still for the GNU linker.

Press Finish, and project gets created.

IAR Embedded Workbench

To use the project in IAR Embedded Workbench, create a new project with menu Project > Create New Project in the IAR Embedded Workbench. In that dialog, create an Empty project for ARM:

Save the project into the project folder created by KDS:

Next, I’m going to connect the IAR Embedded Workbench to the project we have created. For this I use the menu Project > Add Project Connection:

Then use Freescale Processor Expert as connection:

Next it will ask me for the Processor Expert connection file, which is the ProjectInfo.xml inside the project we have created earlier.

💡 The ProjectInfo.xml is a file describing all the generated source files and folders. That way the IAR Embedded Workbench gets informed about any changes.

Now you can build the project in IAR Embedded Workbench:

With this, I can use the IAR Embedded Workbench with my project. And if I add or change components in KDS, the Embedded Workbench gets notified through ProjectInfo.xml.

Using ARM Keil MDK

To use the project with ARM Keil MDK, I had to select ‘Keil ARM C/C++ Compiler’ during project creation in KDS:

All the other steps for using the Keil IDE are outlined here: https://mcuoneclipse.com/2014/11/09/using-keil-%CE%BCvision-5-with-processor-expert/

Summary

Kinetis Design Studio V3.0.0 is pretty much a complete replacement of the Processor Expert Driver Suite v10.4. Only if I would use ColdFire or Vybrid, then I still would need the Driver Suite for that. Other than that, I simply can use the Kinetis Design Studio v3.0.0 to either build my projects with GNU inside Eclipse, or use the IAR Embedded Workbench and Keil IDE, all with the same one installation 🙂

Happy IDE’ing 🙂

Links:

• How to use IAR Embedded Workbench with Freescale Processor Expert Driver Suite: https://mcuoneclipse.com/2013/01/31/tutorial-iar-freertos-freedom-board/
• How to use Keil MDK with Freescale Processor Expert Driver Suite: https://mcuoneclipse.com/2014/11/09/using-keil-%CE%BCvision-5-with-processor-expert/