Workbench and IDE Overview
DS-5 is built on the standard Eclipse development environment providing outstanding windows management, project management, and C/C++ source code editing tools.
Users can use DS-5 as a stand-alone Eclipse installation or as plug-ins to an existing Eclipse environment.
DS-5 is built around the standard Eclipse development environment.
Source Code Editing
The Eclipse IDE's fully featured C/C++ source editor will help you spend more time writing code and less time chasing down syntax errors.
- Outline view which lists functions, variables, and declarations
- Highlights syntax errors in your C/C++ source code
- Configurable syntax colorization and code formatting for C/C++ and ARM/Thumb/Thumb2 assembly
- Full change history which can integrated with popular source code control systems, including CVS and SVN
File Transfer to Target
DS-5 includes a
Remote System Explorer (RSE) perspective for easy transfer of applications and libraries to the Linux file system on the target.
RSE enables the host computer to access the Linux file system on hardware targets.
- FTP connection to the target to explore its file system, create new folders, and drag & drop files from the host machine
- Open files on the target's file system by double-clicking on them in the FTP view. Edit them within Eclipse and save them directly to the target's file system
- Shell and terminal windows enable running Linux commands on the target system without a monitor and keyboard
- Display a list of processes running on the target
Window Management
The flexible window management system in Eclipse enables the optimal utilization of your visual workspace.
- Support for multiple source code and debugger views
- Arrange your windows as you wish: floating (detached), docked, tabbed, or minimized into the Fast View bar
- Support of multi-screen set-ups by draging and dropping detached windows to additional monitors
GNU Compiler Overview
The GNU Compiler (GCC) is the entry level C/C++ compiler in DS-5.
Enhanced GNU Compiler
Pre-built and validated version of the GNU compiler for ARM Linux featuring enhanced support for the ARM Architecture.
- Improved support for the popular mixed 32/16-bit Thumb2 instruction set used on the ARM Cortex processors
- Support for the latest ARM Cortex-A series processors - Cortex-A5, Cortex-A8, and Cortex-A9
- Based on GCC 4.4.1
Example projects
To enable you to quickly get started with Linux development, DS-5 includes a full Linux example that can be run on an ARM Versatile board or the integrated RTSM model of a Cortex-A8 SoC.
Validation
The prebuilt GNU Compilation Tools have been extensively validated to ensure correct operation, including:
- Completed the FSF GNU Compiler Collection regression testsuite
- Validation by building the ARM Embeded Linux examples
Debugger Overview
DS-5 Debugger is a powerful graphical debugger supporting end-to-end development of ARM Linux-based systems. It makes it easy to debug Linux applications with its comprehensive and intuitive Eclipse-based views, including sychronized source and disassembly, memory, registers, variables, threads, call stack, and conditional breakpoints.
The version of the debugger in DS-5 Application Edition focuses on Linux application debug using an Ethernet or serial connection to the target.
DS-5 provides a powerful graphical debug environment.
Target Connection
DS-5 Debugger automates target connection, application download and debugger connection to gdbserver on supported platforms.
DS-5 easily connects to platforms such as the Cortex-A8 RTSM.
- The debugger connects to a gdbserver debug agent running on the target, using an Ethernet or a serial cable
- The DS-5 launcher panel automates the download of Linux applications to the hardware target by using a telnet or ssh connection
- DS-5 can connect to any ARM Linux target. The Remote System Explorer (RSE) is used to manually transfer files to the target, open a terminal window, and start gdbserver
Run Control
Control the target's execution with high (C/C++) and low (assembler) level single-stepping and powerful conditional breakpoints.
All aspects of CPU operation can be controlled within DS-5.
- Run control: run, stop, step through source code and disassembly
- Set an unlimited number of software breakpoints by double clicking in the source or disassembly views
- Conditional breakpoints halt the processor when hit a pre-defined number of times or when a condition is true
- Assignment of actions to breakpoints, allows message logging, update views, or output messages
- If he debugger detects a slow target connection it disables the system views until the user stops stepping. This enables fast single-stepping operation
System Views
DS-5 Debugger provides access to the resources inside the target device, including processor and peripheral registers, code, memory, and variables.
Synchronized source code and disassembly views provide easy application debug.
- Open as many system views of the same type as you wish. Freeze them for easy comparison of their contents over time
- Synchronized source code and disassembly are color coded for easy debug of highly optimized C/C++ code
- View and modify C variables and C++ classes, whether local to a function or global
- The debugger displays a list of current threads and call stack for each thread. Click on a thread or a call stack entry to focus the debugger views on that frame
- Use expressions in C-syntax on any of the system views. For example, write to a memory location the contents pointed at by pointer ptr by typing *ptr
Supported Platforms
DS-5 Debugger is pre-configured to deliver an optimal out of the box experience with popular ARM processor-based development boards.
- Mistral OMAP3 EVM: using the TI OMAP3 device, which is based on the Cortex-A8 processor
- Beagle board: using the TI OMAP3 device, which is based on the Cortex-A8 processor
- Cortex-A8 Real-Time System Model: fast simulation model of a complete ARM-based SoC. Packaged with DS-5, runs at 250MHz on a standard host machine
- Beagle board: using the TI OMAP3 device
RTSM - Real-Time System Model
The Cortex-A8 RTSM in DS-5 Application Edition enables Linux application development without the need for a hardware target. The RTSM is a simulation model of an ARM Hardware Platform including processor, memory controller, and peripherals required to run complex operating systems and applications.
Gnometrics running on Cortex-A8 RTSM.
The Cortex-A8 RTSM enables the development of ARM Linux applications without any hardware.
- Simulation speeds of over 250MHz on a typical desktop PC
- Peripheral interfaces are simulated using the resources on the host PC, including an LCD controller, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, UARTs, and Ethernet controllers
DS-5 includes an example ARM Linux distribution ported to the Cortex-A8 RTSM. When launched from Eclipse, the model automatically boots Linux and enters a state in which you can load and debug your applications.
Knowledgebase Articles
Please visit the Keil website for an overview of the available
knowledgebase articles.