MCUXpresso Config Tools Quick Start Guide

1 Introduction

MCUXpresso Config Tools is a suite of evaluation and configuration tools that assist in the initial evaluation to production software development for NXP Cortex-M processors. It enables users to configure NXP Cortex-M processors and generate initialization of SDK-drivers. This guide is intended for general use and aims to help hardware designers, software engineers, embedded engineers, and field application engineers (FAEs).

The tool is distributed free of charge. The installer for Windows, Linux, or Mac can be downloaded from nxp.com.

To compile the generated code, an MCUXpresso SDK package is required. SDK packages can be downloaded from mcuxpresso.nxp.com. These packages contain example projects to help users get started.

Use the link in the installation folder to start the tool. The first step involves creating a configuration. The document describes the following use cases:

• Starting with SDK example or existing project: Useful for new users to start with example projects for NXP evaluation boards or for users with existing toolchain projects. Supported toolchains include Keil µVision, IAR Embedded Workbench, CodeWarrior, and Arm GCC.
• Starting with new configuration: Useful for creating a new configuration for a custom board or for an existing toolchain project that lacks tool configuration.

1.1 Creating a new configuration

A configuration can be created from the Start development wizard or by selecting File > New from the Menu bar. A new configuration is created automatically on the first run of the tool, with the initial processor selection based on the active processor/board/kit selection on the Select Development Board page.

For NXP boards or kits, it is recommended to start with an MCUXpresso SDK example to create a configuration, as this includes board-specific settings. Selecting only a processor will result in an empty configuration.

After creating a new configuration, you can import an existing configuration from an .mex file using File > Import... > Import configuration (*.mex) from the Menu bar. This is useful for reusing previous configurations.

1.1.1 Cloning an SDK example

An SDK example project can be cloned for IAR Embedded Workbench, Keil µVision, CodeWarrior Development Studio, and/or GCC ARM Embedded. The resulting project includes all source files and libraries for building and can be easily customized, shared, or put under version control. SDK example cloning is supported for SDK 2.2 and higher.

Note: To clone an SDK example or create a "hello_world" project, an SDK package must be downloaded first. Refer to the MCUXpresso Software Development Kit website for more information on SDK packages offered by NXP Semiconductors.

2 Select Tool

The right-hand side of the toolbar provides tool-selection buttons to switch between different tools.

Table 1. Config Tools

2.1 Pins Tool

The Pins tool allows displaying and configuring processor pins. Basic configuration can be done in the Pins, Peripheral Signals, or Package views. Advanced settings, such as pin electrical features, can be adjusted in the Routed Pins view.

Figure 3. Pins Tool shows a screenshot of the Pins Tool interface, displaying pin configurations for an LPCXpresso55569 board.

2.2 Clocks Tool

The Clocks tool allows displaying and modifying clock sources and outputs. Clock sources and outputs can be set using the Clocks Table view. More advanced settings are available in the Clocks Diagram and Details views. Global settings for the clocking environment, such as run modes, MCG modes, and SCG modes, can be modified in the Clocks Table, Clocks Diagram, Functional group properties, and the Details view.

Figure 4. Clocks Tool shows a screenshot of the Clocks Tool interface, illustrating clock configurations.

2.3 Peripherals Tool

The Peripherals tool allows configuring the initialization of selected peripherals and generating code for them. Users can select peripherals in the Peripherals view, add them as configuration components, select their modes, and configure settings in the settings editor.

Figure 5. Peripherals Tool displays the Peripherals Tool interface, showing peripheral configurations.

2.4 Device Configuration Tool

The Device Configuration tool allows configuring the initialization of memory interfaces. The Device Configuration Data (DCD) view is used to create commands, specify their sequence, and define their address, values, sizes, and polls.

Figure 6. Device Configuration tool shows the Device Configuration tool interface.

2.5 Trusted Execution Environment Tool

The Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) tool enables configuration of security policies for memory areas, bus masters, and peripherals to isolate and safeguard sensitive application areas. Security policies can be set in the Security Access Configuration and its subviews. These policies can be reviewed in the Memory Attribution Map, Access Overview, and Domains Overview views. The User Memory Regions view provides an overview of memory regions and their security levels. Registers handled by the TEE tool can be viewed in the Registers view, and code can be inspected in the Code Preview tool.

Figure 7. TEE tool user interface (SAU+IDAU) and Figure 8. TEE tool user interface (RDC) show examples of the TEE tool interface.

3 Generate code

Source files generated by MCUXpresso Config Tools can be updated by clicking the Update Code button. This opens a dialog to select which tools will regenerate the code.

Figure 9. Update Code button shows the Update Code button.

Alternatively, a selected source file can be exported by clicking the export button in the Code Preview view.

Figure 10. Code Preview shows the Code Preview window with generated code.

4 Revision history

Table 2. Revision history