Stack usage analysis enhances MCU development tools

25th April 2014

IAR Systems

Mick Elliott

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Datasheet

IAR Systems has a new version of its development toolchain IAR Embedded Workbench for RX. Version 2.60 contains stack usage analysis functionality and several other new features that make the toolchain for Renesas RX microcontrollers even more powerful. Calculating the stack space is notoriously hard for all but the smallest embedded systems. Worst case maximum stack depth is very useful information in most embedded projects, as it greatly simplifies estimates of how much stack an application will need.

With stack usage analysis enabled in IAR Embedded Workbench for RX, a stack usage section will be added to the linker map file with listings of the maximum stack depth for each call graph root. The analysis process can be customised to take into account such constructs as calls via function pointers and recursion.

The output can optionally be generated in XML format for post-processing activities.

In version 2.60 of IAR Embedded Workbench for RX, two new windows have been added in the comprehensive C-SPY Debugger to easier manage macros. Also included is C-SPY data trace support which enables data trace information from stack operations, data transfers, string operations, arithmetical operations, logical operations, bit operations, FPU and exceptions, to be collected and displayed in C-SPY.

Furthermore, this version supports Renesas library format, and is updated with support for the latest RX Renesas devices as well as various new example projects. IAR Embedded Workbench for RX includes the IAR C/C++ Compiler, assembler, linker, library tools and the C-SPY Debugger in a user-friendly integrated development environment. It is available in several editions, including a Baseline edition tailored for developers working with the smaller memory RX microcontrollers