The most advanced multicore MCU development suite

Supporting modular code and overlays for in-field configuration of xCORE multicore microcontroller programmable system on chip solutions, the xTIMEcomposer-Enterprise tool suite allows fully tested, xSOFTip industry standard compliant peripherals and reference solutions to be easily included as part of the design. The annual subscription, multi-site license offers an upgrade path that integrates an ARM compiler and debugger development flow to support the new multicore xCORE-XA products which add an ARM Cortex M3 processor to the configurable xCORE multicore microcontroller architecture.

The comprehensive debug environment is enhanced with the xTAG-PRO multifunction debugger which allows full multicore debug and analysis with accurate real-time trace and fast instrumentation of the target hardware board or system. The xSCOPE instrumentation tool allows both digital and analog I/O and internal xCORE signals to be accurately monitored in real-time while the target system is running. The development tool suite also supports real-time power analysis of the target system. This allows developers to optimize their code for the most energy efficient operation.

Enabling customers to make full use of the deterministic xCORE multicore architecture, xTIMEcomposer-Enterprise allows high priority real-time tasks to run to completion without interruption on separate logical processor cores. Offering all the capabilities of an RTOS but with nanosecond timing accuracy and instant I/O response, the xTIMEcomposer-Enterprise tool suite is backed up by comprehensive and integrated one-to-one online support. This provides an assured industrial grade level of response to issues and support enquiries as well as providing on-going, long-term support for customer code releases that are shipping in the field. The xCORE Timing Analyser tool is included as part of xTIMEcomposer-Enterprise. It allows all timing characteristics to be statically analyzed and timing critical parameters to be defined and maintained through subsequent compiles and code additions. Therefore, software code can meet hardware levels of performance and provide complete functional safety.

Nigel Toon, XMOS CEO, comments: “The new xTIMEcomposer-Enterprise tools provide the highest level of design productivity for demanding embedded system applications. The advanced multicore design features have been combined with the most advanced hardware debug capability, and comprehensive one-to-one support, to provide the most advanced industrial grade multicore microcontroller development suite shipping today.”

XMOS has also introduced the single-user and free-to-download xTIMEcomposer-Community tool suite, offering all the same advanced multicore microcontroller development features and software debug capability.

Both xTIMEcomposer-Enterprise and xTIMEcomposer-Community are available for Windows-PC, MAC OS-X and Linux platforms. xTIMEcomposer-Enterprise, can also support cross-platform multi-user environments, allowing individual developers across a multi-site enterprise to work on their preferred platform.

Available in early December 2013, xTIMEcomposer-Enterprise is priced at $4,995 for a full multi-site annual-subscription license that supports multiple users across the enterprise. This price also includes an advanced xTAG-PRO hardware debugger that is available separately for $750ea. Supporting a fully collaborative development flow plus one-to-one online support direct from XMOS engineers, the simple licensing scheme allows the tools to be easily shared within a multi-site enterprise environment, without the need for complex network licensing keys.