IAR Systems updates its popular development tools for 8051-based microcontrollers

Uppsala, Sweden—November 19, 2013—Today, IAR Systems® releases an updated version of its complete C/C++ development toolchain IAR Embedded Workbench® for 8051. The toolchain, popular with the 8051 community, includes high-performance compiler and debugger tools with extensive support for a wide range of microcontrollers from manufacturers such as Atmel, Intel, Infineon, NXP, Silicon Labs and Texas Instruments. Version 8.30, released today, adds new and updated device support and integration possibilities as well as new features.

Despite the growing complexity of applications and the industry focus on powerful 32-bit processors, numerous designs based on the 8051 core are continuously being maintained and developed and processor manufacturers continue to expand the microcontrollers with added peripherals, wireless connectivity and more memory. IAR Systems remains committed to supplying world-class tools for embedded developers across the entire bit range: 8-, 16-, and 32-bits alike. This commitment ensures low memory footprint and high code portability, regardless of the selected microcontroller.

The new version of IAR Embedded Workbench for 8051 adds Generalized Extended Stack Support, making it possible to use any 9- to 16-bit extension of the stack pointer. The option handling has been simplified, and ready-made template projects to reproduce the runtime libraries are now available.

To make it easy for developers to use device configuration tools alongside IAR Embedded Workbench, project connections are introduced. Files or file packages generated by external code generation tools can be imported and IAR Embedded Workbench will automatically detect changes in the generated file set. This enables automated integration with a number of device configuration tools, including Infineon’s DAVE™ code generator.

New device support includes microcontrollers from Silicon Labs, AXSEM, Evatronix, Prolific and Fairchild. For a complete list of supported devices and to download free evaluation licenses, visit www.iar.com/ew8051.