Author
Monica Cid
Mónica Cid has worked in Mass Market Marketing for 3 years, focus on developer journey for industrial and consumer processors and microcontrollers. She is based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
- Smarter World Blog
- Reusing Common Code with CMSIS Drivers Through NXP’s FRDM Development Platform
Reusing Common Code with CMSIS Drivers Through NXP’s FRDM Development Platform
Evaluating microcontrollers can be challenging when starting from scratch. Even before coding, developers should understand the peripherals they want to use. Is it possible to work identically on different products? How true are those promises of portability? The idea of creating portable code often seems like an impossible task.
Looking ahead, there are ways to reuse code transparently. By adding an abstraction layer, it is possible to maintain simplicity when configuring and using specific peripherals. Unfortunately, physical differences are inevitable because parts are not always pin-to-pin compatible. However, at a higher level, when the abstraction layer is applied at the peripheral level, it becomes possible. This is the benefit of CMSIS drivers.
To have a similar and reusable way to work with microcontrollers, the CMSIS-driver standardized API, created by Arm®, is used for transparent interoperability. This means that every time your development is based on CMSIS drivers, you can move your peripheral code from one device to another without changes, just by configuring the pins, since physical changes are inevitable. Developers now have the option to design a modular application and use CMSIS drivers to migrate code from one product to another or to reuse a module of code with a common function used in more than one application, such as displaying data on a small display or showing light indicators. Instead of performing repetitive tasks in different applications in different ways, developers can focus on coding what differentiates their application without wasting time, resulting in a modular software design.
As part of NXP's software enablement, CMSIS drivers are included in the Software Development Kit (SDK), giving users the option to use NXP's traditional peripheral drivers and CMSIS drivers. With good design, developers can simplify development for future products. CMSIS drivers, besides offering portability with NXP devices, provide wider interoperability between Arm cores. In combination with CMSIS drivers, developers can find demos running on different FRDM development boards to control OLED displays, rotary encoders, relays, and more using SPI or I2C CMSIS peripheral drivers. Developers can find demos supported across our latest MCX Microcontrollers. For easy evaluation, the demos are available in the Application Code Hub (ACH) , listing microcontrollers and boards supported. There is no magic behind easy code reusability between products, but there are smart engineers with good software architecture establishing the baseline for a new generation of applications. Planning ahead leads to productive development and the creation of valuable applications.
Explore the demos based on CMSIS drivers and unlock the potential of reusable code for your next project. Find them at Application Code Hub .
FRDM development boards based on MCX Microcontrollers and RW612 Wireless MCU with Integrated Tri-radio are supported by several demos based on SPI and I2C CMSIS drivers, connecting expansion boards to FRDM development board, developers can easily integrate these demonstrations:
- Mikroe JOYSTICK 2 CLICK in FRDM with CMSIS driver and GPIO adapter
- Mikroe OLED B CLICK in FRDM with CMSIS driver and GPIO adapter
- Mikroe RELAYS 5 CLICK in FRDM with CMSIS driver and GPIO adapter
- 4x4 KEY CLICK: multi-platform ecosystem
- KNOB G CLICK: multi-platform ecosystem
Maximize Code Reusability with CMSIS Drivers on NXP’s FRDM Development Platform
In summary, the use of CMSIS drivers through NXP’s FRDM development platform offers a significant advantage in creating portable and reusable code for microcontrollers. By leveraging the standardized API provided by CMSIS drivers, developers can achieve transparent interoperability across different devices, simplifying the development process and enhancing productivity. This approach allows for modular software design, enabling developers to focus on the unique aspects of their applications without being bogged down by repetitive tasks. NXP’s inclusion of CMSIS drivers in our SDK, along with the availability of demos on various FRDM development boards, further supports developers in evaluating and implementing these drivers effectively.
Ultimately, the smart architecture and design principles behind CMSIS drivers pave the way for a new generation of applications, making code reusability not just a possibility but a practical reality. By planning ahead and utilizing these tools, developers can create valuable and innovative applications that stand out in the market. Visit the Application Code Hub to see available demos based on CMSIS drivers and start exploring the potential of reusable code today.