With the new MCUXpresso versions out, and because it has been a while I showed how to install Processor Expert into Eclipse, here is an update how to do this.
Overview
Processor Expert is a graphical tool around the concept of software components, which can be configured and used like ‘Lego’ bricks to build up smaller and larger embedded applications. NXP has discontinued Processor Expert in their general purpose MCU line and replaced it with the ‘Configuration Tools’, while on the automotive MCU side it is still integrated in their S32DS IDE.
In this article I’m using the version 11.5.1, but the same applies to the version 11.5.0 of the IDE.
Installation
The installation takes about 15 minutes and enables the IDE to use Processor Expert. Because there is a conflict with the configuration tools installed by default in the IDE, they have to uninstalled first.
The plugins to be installed are available on the NXP web site (https://www.nxp.com/design/software/development-software/processor-expert-software:PEX_DEV_TOOLS): make sure you unzip the downloaded files first, then install them into Eclipse.
The video below shows all the steps, up to debugging a Processor Expert component based project on a board:
Be aware that the combination of Processor Expert with the NXP MCUXpresso IDE is not officially supported. For new projects I recommend to use the SDK with the configuration tools, but if you have (as I have) many Processor Expert projects to maintain over the next years, having the ability to use the latest Eclipse and GNU tools is for sure a good thing.
Happy Experting 🙂
Links
- MCUXpresso IDE 11.5.1
- Porting Processor Expert Projects to MCUXpresso IDE
- MCUXpresso IDE: Installing Processor Expert into Eclipse Neon
- McuOnEclipse GitHub: https://github.com/ErichStyger/mcuoneclipse
- Processor Expert: https://www.nxp.com/design/software/development-software/processor-expert-software:PEX_DEV_TOOLS
MCU on Eclipse 
Hi Erich.
I have watched your video and followed all the steps to uninstall and install all components.
after importing a PEx project that was built success in KDS3.0 and “Generate Processor Expert Code” create a “Generated_Code” folder, and place all necessary files, but when I click the ‘hammer ‘ to build the project, the build log shows:
**** Build of configuration Debug for project MyTest_Project ****
Nothing to build for project MyTest_Project
Thanks.
Cai.
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Hi Cai,
I believe your build tools are not set up correctly. Can you check the project build tools (Project > Properties > C/C++ Build)?
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Thank you Erich, this just made my day!
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Hi James,
glad to hear it was helpful for you. Just curious: what device family are you using? Are you using my PEx components as well?
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Hi Erich,
I’m using devices from all across the Kinetis line…KE02, K64, KL25, KL36, K22, KV31, etc.
I most definitely use your PEx components and I’m so glad you continue to provide updates!
I’ve been using KDS with PEx for several years and when NXP stopped supporting KDS I started to migrate to MCUXpresso, but eventually reverted back to KDS for most of my projects. In my mind, using the config tools is much more time consuming a lot less user friendly than PEx. Now that you’ve posted this, I’m excited to give MCUXpresso another shot!
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Hi James,
thank you so much for the details. I agree: PEx has been in many ways easier to use and better than the config tools as of today, for me too.
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