CyanIDE is a fully-featured integrated development environment (IDE) which supports the software development of Cyan’s microcontrollers and modules.
It comprises a powerful set of development tools, based upon the industry standard Eclipse environment and GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) tool chain. The software also includes an editor, simulator, GDB debugger, memory configurator and in-system programmer.
A unique configuration tool allows the microcontroller’s peripherals and a library of external components to be configured using a simple drag-and-drop GUI. Automatic inclusion and easy modification of device drivers and protocols means that, when peripherals are included in a design, the driver code and protocol stacks will automatically be added to the application. Design warnings give immediate feedback on issues that might give cause for concern eg. a selected UART baud rate might not be achievable with a certain combination of system clocks.
CyanIDE provides the ability to debug more than one attached target at the same time. Fast download time and fast debugging are ensured by the eICEUSB1X intelligent dongle, the firmware of which can be upgraded from within the IDE. The system enables unlimited undo and redo for easy experimentation.
A key change for CyanIDE over earlier releases is the adoption of the open source, industry standard Eclipse platform and the GNU GCC/GDB tool chain. Eclipse, originally developed by IBM, was donated to the open source community and is now managed by the Eclipse Foundation, an independent not-for-profit consortium of software vendors. Popular in such applications as Enterprise Java programming, many leading embedded microcontroller vendors have endorsed Eclipse by using it as the base for their tools.
CyanIDE is based on Eclipse version 3.4, which is solid, stable, feature rich, offers good editing and debug experience, superb C code navigation, support for code refactoring, build settings, project and workspace management. A particular enhancement that CyanIDE 2 adds to its implementation of Eclipse is an easy, single shot installation process with everything required in one install package.
GCC version 4.x C compiler and debugger have been ported to the eCOG1X architecture and represent good quality generated code and excellent debug code support. Users can have a high level of confidence in the Cyan QA validation process which involves approximately 80 000 GCC compiler tests and 100 000 C standard library tests plus 17 000 GDB debugger tests.
Project templates allow new projects to be started quickly by providing the basic structure. All that is required is to configure the chip and write the application. Standard designs can be saved for future use, enabling the designer to build up a library of applications. The design environment employs an easy to use graphical interface which provides the user with a representation of the chosen microcontroller, peripherals and interfaces. IDE windows can be customised to suit the user’s requirements, undocked, docked to edge or even support multiple monitors. There is support for both simulation and hardware emulation within the same environment. Memory, registers and variables can be viewed.
The powerful debugger supports many breakpoints, more than enough to debug the most complex applications. CyanIDE supports single stepping by instructions or C statements, C source code and assembly views and can debug the target system using the on-chip in-circuit emulator. The C compiler, assembler, linker and build tools are fully integrated and designed to support all features on eCOG devices.
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