ARM launches DS-5 development tools for ARM Linux-based systems

NUREMBERG, GERMANY & CAMBRIDGE, UK: At the Embedded World conference, ARM launched the Keil™ Development Studio 5 (DS-5) Application Edition, a software development tool suite, which simplifies the development of Linux and Android native applications for ARM processor-based systems, reducing the learning curve and shortening the development and testing cycle.

DS-5 Application Edition features an Eclipse-based project manager with support for multiple workspaces and projects, and powerful C/C++ and assembler code editing functions. It also includes a fully featured Linux application debugger with detailed graphical views and processor control mechanisms, and a fast model of an ARM Cortex™-A8 processor-based SoC for rapid ARM Linux development without the need for any hardware target.

DS-5 is preconfigured to support popular development boards including the OMAP35x processor-based BeagleBoard and Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) OMAP35x evaluation module. DS-5 automates downloading applications and libraries to the target’s file system, starting them and connecting the debugger, which enables developers to focus their effort on analyzing and fixing their code. DS-5 Application Edition also includes two Linux example projects, the Gnometris application and the Libgames-support shared library.

“The industry-standard Eclipse design environment enables the integration of plug-ins from several tool vendors into a single framework. Eclipse-based tools such as DS-5 help us be more efficient when developing software for our multi-architecture automotive devices,” said Carol de Vries, R&D manager automotive, NXP. “We gladly continue to collaborate with ARM by providing valuable use cases, requirements and feedback on their development tools.”

“With development platforms ranging from the low-cost BeagleBoard to the full OMAP35x EVM, open source enthusiasts can harness the capabilities of the DS-5 Application Edition to start designing inventive ARM Linux systems easier and faster,” said Jason Kridner, open platforms principal architect, TI.

“ARM is committed to providing our Partners with the tools required to easily and rapidly develop optimized ARM processor-based products,” said John Cornish, EVP and GM, system design division, ARM. “DS-5 represents a significant addition to our Keil tools portfolio and has been designed specifically for developers wishing to develop Linux applications for ARM processor-based systems.”

DS-5 Application Edition is the first of three planned DS-5 editions and supports Linux and Android native application development with a GNU compiler optimized for ARM Linux and an Ethernet or serial connection to the target. Future editions will include kernel and driver debug and trace, and the highly optimizing ARM Compiler.