Processor Expert is a very versatile GUI tool created by Freescale that lets you focus on what will make your next embedded design truly unique. Instead of having to re-invent the wheel by writing yet another peripheral driver, it generates customized C code for Kinetis MCU start-up initialization and peripheral drivers. It's not a compiler or linker, but instead generates the code that can then be pulled into your preferred build environment. It also eliminates the need for one-size-fits-all drivers, allowing you to customize peripheral drivers ideally suited to your project, and all without the need for extensive knowledge of the hardware modules and their registers. It also flags any silicon conflicts as you configure your particular project (making peripheral module muxing easy), and makes migration to a new device straightforward since it encapsulates all the MCU information required.
Processor Expert can also provide the drivers for RTOSs such as MQX and MQX-Lite, allowing you to customize a BSP for your hardware. MQX-Lite is the very low-footprint subset of MQX (both are free) that lets you run an RTOS on the Kinetis L family. And PE also provides integration with the complimentary Freescale USB stack, letting you get connected quickly with USB projects.
Processor Expert supports the many types of processors found on the Freescale Freedom boards (Kinetis K and Kinetis L families, among others), so that no matter what your target MCU is, Processor Expert has you covered.
Processor Expert is available in two ways, though both provide the same rich features and functionality:
- A stand-alone version which is named "Processor Expert Driver Suite" (and which can also be optionally installed as a plugin for Eclipse 3.7 for Linux)
- Integrated into the Freescale CodeWarrior IDE
The stand-alone version can create the C source which can then pulled into many of the most popular ARM IDEs:
- CodeWarrior ARM C Compiler 5.1 and higher (CodeWarrior for MCU, 10.1 and higher)
- IAR ARM C Compiler 6.3 and higher
- GNU C Compiler for ARM architecture
- Keil C/C++ ARM Compiler 5.4 and higher
This post is divided into two types of video "tutorials" based on if you're using the stand-alone Processor Expert Driver Suite, or Processor Expert Embedded in CodeWarrior.
PROCESSOR EXPERT DRIVER SUITE
The stand-alone Processor Expert Microcontroller Driver Suite v10.2 can be downloaded for FREE, without limitations, from here (http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/prod_summary.jsp?code=PE_DRIVER_SUITE&tid=PEH):
Processor Expert - Introduction (Driver Suite)
Processor Expert: Exporting and Importing Templates (Driver Suite)
Processor Expert - Working with Components (Driver Suite)
Processor Expert: Creating an MQX Lite Project (Driver Suite)
Processor Expert: An MQX Lite Example (Driver Suite)
Processor Expert: Integrating with IAR Embedded
Processor Expert: Integrating with Keil Microvision
Processor Expert: The Code Model (Driver Suite)
PROCESSOR EXPERT EMBEDDED INTO CODEWARRIOR
CodeWarrior 10.5 includes Processor Expert built into the IDE. It can be downloaded for FREE at this link:
http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/prod_summary.jsp?code=CW-MCU10&tid=CWH
Note that there are several different versions to choose from (from the free Special Edition to a free 30-day evaluation version of the Professional edition) but all versions include Processor Expert.
Processor Expert - Introduction (CodeWarrior)
Processor Expert - Exporting and Importing Templates (CodeWarrior)
Processor Expert - Working with Components (CodeWarrior)
Processor Expert: Creating an MQX Lite Project (CodeWarrior)
Processor Expert: An MQX Lite Example (CodeWarrior)
Processor Expert: The Code Model (CodeWarrior)