C/C++ compiler and debugger for C166® and ST10

The TASKING VX-toolset for C166/ST10

This page describes the new TASKING VX-toolset for C166/ST10, featuring the high-performance Viper compiler recommended for new C166/ST10 projects, or any existing projects developed with C166 compilers from other vendors in a need of additional code performance (density and speed).

The original TASKING C166/ST10 toolset, since 1991 the world's best sold development toolset for all C166 and ST10 compatible microcontrollers, is also still available from and maintained by Altium. This classic C166/ST10 toolset is especially recommended for existing projects or products in which this compiler has been used before. Information on the classic toolset is available on a seperate webpage.

In March a series of TASKING VX Migrations Workshops have been planned in Germany. Click here for more information.

Continue reading below for information on the new high-performance TASKING VX-toolset.

  • Industry-standard Eclipse™ IDE integration
  • C compiler based on Altium’s next-generation Viper compiler technology, generating extremely compact and fast-executing code
  • Compared to traditional C166 compilers the VX-toolset delivers upto 20-45% more densed code and upto 20-25% faster code
  • The market's only compiler that supports efficient programming of the microcontroller's MAC unit in C language
  • New debugger technology, fully integrated into Eclipse, ready for the latest industry debugging trends like multi-core application development
  • Premier support for new Infineon® XC2000 and XE166 microcontroller series, achieving 32-bit microcontroller performance level

What's new in release v2.4

  • Integrated Static Code Analysis for checking C source against the CERT C Secure coding standard (in the Premium edition)
  • Additional code generation optimizations
  • Various improvements on optimizations control
  • Significantly improved map file viewer enabling easy analysis of project build
  • Support for Infineon's new miniWiggler with DAP interface
  • MCDS support for the Hitex Tantino MCDS wiggler
For an overview of all changes in the latest revision of the VX-toolset, read the Release Note.

What's new in release v2.3

  • IDE updated with Eclipse "Ganymede' platform v3.4 and CDT v5.0
  • Application wide automatic near allocation for faster code, without the need to explicitly use memory qualifiers
  • Code compaction (reverse inlining) improved to allow application wide code density optimizations
  • Global type checking by compiler and linker for verification of types
  • Significant compile time improvements
  • New make utility with parallel build support for faster compilation on multi-core computers
  • Keil C166 import wizard that helps to convert project settings and source code
  • Import wizard and refresh option for Infineon DAvE projects
  • Enhanced memory layout editing control
  • Support for new derivatives in the Infineon XE166 series and XC2000 family (check the release note for details)
  • Debugger support for the Infineon EasyKit boards for the new derivatives
  • Standalone debugger for running scripts
  • Future new derivatives can easily be added to the toolset through a processor XML file

The Total C166/ST10 Development Solution

  • Integrated Development Environment based on Eclipse, enabling extensibility though plug-ins from third parties (e.g. for RTOS configuration or debugging)
  • Includes C, C++/EC++ compilers with MISRA C enhanced code checking
    • Conforms (default) to ISO/IEC 9899:1999(E), as well as ANSI-C X3.159-1989; C++ compatible with ISO/IEC 14882:1998(E)
    • MISRA C guidelines supported: MISRA-C:1998 and MISRA-C:2004
  • Integrated static code analysis functionality in the C compiler for the following standards: 
  • C/C++ libraries, run-time libraries, floating-point libraries provided in source code
  • Powerful assembler and linker/locator, using a versatile linker-script-language
  • Project set up wizard to help you to configure a new project
  • Conversion utilities for easy project migration from classic TASKING C166/ST10 toolset or from Keil™ C166 Development Tools
  • Import wizard and refresh option for Infineon DAvE projects
  • Integrated support for programming Flash memory
  • Toolset generates ELF/DWARF 3.0 output for tool interoperability
  • The toolset supports all C166 and all popular ST10 derivatives, such as:
    • Infineon Technologies: C16x, XC16x, XE162, XE164, XE167, XE169, XC22xx, XC23xx, XC27xx, E-Gold, as well as all their individual variants
    • IPextreme: C166S V1 core
    • STMicroelectronics: ST10x168, ST10x251, ST10x252, ST10x269, ST10x271, ST10x272, ST10x273, ST10x275, ST10x276, ST10x296, Super10 core, as well as all their individual variants
    • Micronas: SDA6000
  • The TASKING C166/ST10 tools are acknowledged as the best in the market, having been the de facto standard worldwide for more than 15 years. With a market share of more than 90% in automotive, prominent OEM and Tier-1 companies rely on the quality of the TASKING tools
Integrated Debugger
  • Three debugger engines are available for debugging in C++, C and assembly: Simulator, On-Chip (OCDS) and ROM monitor debugger
  • Seamless integration of the debugger into the Eclipse IDE
  • Simulator debugger is included with all product bundles
  • Wizard to help you configure your project to run on an evaluation board
  • On-Chip debugging is supported through a USB-JTAG adapter (miniWiggler) or a simple parallel cable for Infineon evaluation boards. The USB-JTAG miniWiggler is often provided with Infineon starter kits or integrated as on-board functionality on the starter kits. The miniWigglers are also available from Altium as option to the Premium package.
  • For OCDS the TASKING debugger makes use of Infineon’s Device Access Server (DAS), which is provided with the toolset. DAS also allows remote debugging over a TCP/IP network
  • The ROM monitor debugger is plug-and-play ready for many evaluation boards, and retargetable to your own hardware. It allows debugging via serial port, and through TCP/IP over a remote PC
  • Debugger support for the Hitex Tantino MCDS is included for debugging selected XC2000 and XE166 derivatives with MCDS interface.
  • OSEK kernel-aware debugging, ORTI 2.0 and 2.1 based

Third-Party Tools supporting Altium’s TASKING VX-toolset for C166/ST10

For more detailed information on third-party tools support for the TASKING VX-toolset for C166/ST10, take a look at the Third-Party Product Guide.

Read more about our C166/ST10 Development Solutions

Recommended reading
Press Releases related to the C166 VX-toolset
  • Press Release, Nov 2006: Altium releases TASKING VX-toolset for leading C166/ST10 microcontrollers from Infineon and STMicroelectronics

Customer Success Stories

Altium’s TASKING C166/ST10 toolset meets the rigorous demands of a mission-critical medical application

Abiomed, a leader in heart assist and heart replacement devices, chose the TASKING C166/ST10 software development toolset for the design of its next-generation heart assist device.

Read More

Purchasing Altium’s TASKING C166/ST10 Tools

If you would like to purchase a TASKING License contact your local Altium Sales & Support Center, Reseller or order online.

Ordering Codes
07-200-119-804: Standard Edition VX-toolset for C166/ST10, Eclipse IDE, C Compiler, assembler/linker/locator and Simulator Debugger
07-200-119-806: Professional Edition VX-toolset for C166/ST10, Eclipse IDE, C Compiler, assembler/linker/locator, Flash memory programming, Simulator and ROM-monitor Debugger
07-200-119-808: Premium Edition VX-toolset for C166/ST10, Eclipse IDE, C++ compiler, C Compiler with integrated CERT C secure coding standard analyzer, assembler/linker/locator, Flash memory programming, Simulator, OCDS and ROM-monitor Debugger
07-290-000-001: USB-JTAG-wiggler for OCDS debugging of Infineon MCUs (optional to 07-200-119-808)

The TASKING VX-toolset for C166/ST10 is available on PC/Windows and Sun/Solaris platforms. Selected versions of the VX-toolset on PC/Linux are available on request.

Download or order the fulll version for a 15-day evaluation.

Looking for the original TASKING C166/ST10 toolset?

Are you looking for the original TASKING C166/ST10 toolset? This toolset is still maintained and can be ordered for your legacy projects. Detailed information about this product is still available.