Early software development for next-gen ARMv8-M devices

The ability to do virtual prototyping is very beneficial in the early stages of the silicon bring-up. The ARMv8-M architecture is the next-gen of the ARM Cortex-M microcontroller architecture. It includes hardware-based security extensions with the ARM TrustZone technology and focuses on bringing productivity and security to a wider number of developers and applications in the embedded and IoT markets. The C/C++ compiler and debugger toolchain IAR Embedded Workbench supports all available ARM cores and devices from all major vendors, in total over 4,500 devices, and the latest version now adds support for the ARMv8-M architecture. In addition to its sophisticated IAR C/C++ Compiler, the toolchain includes extensive debugging capabilities through the C-SPY Debugger that now also integrates the ARM Fast Models hardware simulation technology through the CADI interface. The extensively validated programmer’s view models in ARM Fast Models provide access to ARM-based systems suitable for early software development. This makes it possible for developers to start developing for ARMv8-M before silicon availability.

“Providing robust security in the microcontroller itself is essential for the future of billions of connected devices, and we are proud to enable early software development for new technologies within this space, says Anders Lundgren, Product Manager, IAR Systems. “Our long history with ARM makes it possible for us to deliver early support for the new ARMv8-M architecture in our powerful compiler and debugger toolchain IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM.” IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM is a complete toolchain for embedded development. It includes the powerful IAR C/C++ Compiler as well as the C-SPY Debugger with a broad selection of smart features such as complex code and data breakpoints, runtime stack analysis, call stack visualisation, code coverage analysis and integrated power consumption monitoring. Integrated add-on tools for static analysis and runtime analysis are also available.