Development tool for microcontroller

Freescale Semiconductor has introduced the KwikStik, a development tool used for evaluating, developing and debugging with Freescale's Kinetis line of microcontrollers (MCUs) built on the ARM Cortex-M4 core. Complementing the larger Freescale Tower System development platform, the KwikStik provides an additional toolset option in a small-form-factor design for developers using Kinetis MCUs.

The KwikStik combines a J-Link debug probe, low-power touch sensing, a segment LCD user interface and a suite of development and run-time software. It is designed to be used in a couple of ways—as a standalone, battery-operated tool for development using the on-board Kinetis K40 MCU or as an additional tool with the Tower System or as a J-Link debugger. By combining the KwikStik with the Tower System, developers have access to multiple system expansion options using Freescale and third-party peripheral modules that offer sensing and wireless and industrial connectivity (including Wi-Fi). The integrated SEGGER J-Link debug interface eliminates the need for a separate debug probe, providing a significant cost savings.

The KwikStik offers a range of low-power, mixed-signal, human machine interface and connectivity and communications peripherals. The Kinetis K40 MCU at the core of the KwikStik features 256 KB of on-chip flash memory and an equivalent amount of FlexMemory, allowing ample space for application code. The bundled Processor Expert tool supporting Kinetis MCUs helps designers write application code for even complex software requirements. Using Freescale's Processor Expert auto-code generator, developers can build their own custom peripheral driver library, optimized and validated to their needs. This feature, embedded within the Eclipse-based CodeWarrior 10.1 integrated development environment (IDE), simplifies a developer's software architecture and can reduce development time.

Kinetis MCUs are supported by the CodeWarrior 10.1 IDE with a complimentary C compiler, supporting up to 128 KB of object code. Additional IDE options are available from IAR Systems, Keil, Green Hills and CodeSourcery. All Kinetis MCUs are also supported by the complimentary Freescale MQX real-time operating system with integrated scheduler, file system, TCP/IP and USB stacks, as well as support for graphic LCD and encryption plug-ins.

The KwikStik tool is now available to order for a special introductory price of $29 (USD) from Freescale and its distribution partners.