C/C++ compiler and debugger tools for ARM Cortex-M/R

TASKING VX-toolset for ARM v4.0

The TASKING VX-toolset for ARM® brings to developers the power of Altium’s sophisticated, next-generation Viper C compiler technology framework, allowing them to take full advantage of the highly-popular ARM architecture. With its Viper technology, the C compiler for ARM is able to generate code with the level of execution speed and code density needed for tomorrow’s automotive, industrial and telematics applications. The ARM compiler features up-to-date functionalities such as MISRA C and CERT C code checking, profiling through code instrumentation and run-time error checking capabilities. The TASKING VX-toolset for ARM consists of:

  • Industry-standard Eclipse™ IDE integration
  • C compiler based on Altium’s next-generation Viper compiler technology, generating extremely compact and fast-executing code
  • ISO C++ compiler, scalable to EC++
  • C compiler, supporting Cortex-M0, M3 and M4 based microcontrollers, Cortex-R based microcontrollers, and Cortex-M1 softcore
  • Assembler with macro-preprocessor, linker and locator
  • C/C++ libraries, run-time libraries, floating-point libraries
  • New debugger technology, fully integrated into Eclipse, ready for the latest industry debugging trends like multi-core application development

Altium is able to offer you this toolset at a very attractive price level (see below), as its development costs are shared with our Altium Designer product that includes the same technology.

Release v4.2 available in February 2012

  • Support for the Cortex-M4 based new Infineon XMC4000 microcontroller family
  • Support for XMC4500 Hexagon Development kit
  • Support for miniWiggler debug probe
  • TASKING's debugger is included in Infineon's next generation DAVE: DAVE3

NEW in release v4.1

  • Support for the STMicroelectronics STM32L16xx and STM32L15xx High Density devices
  • Support for various other STMicroelectronics variants
  • Functionality to quickly add support for a new MCU through a processor XML definition file
  • Board support for STM32L152D-EVAL, STM3240G-EVAL, STM3221G-EVAL
  • Eclipse IDE upgraded to Indigo release and CDT 8.0.1
  • CMSIS 2.10 support; CMSIS DSP library updated

NEW in release v4.0

  • Support for the Cortex-M4 family from STMicroelectronics (STM32 F4 series)
  • Support for the Cortex-R4 family from Texas Instruments (TMS570 series)
  • Support for the Energy Micro EMF32 microcontrollers
  • New USB-JTAG probe supported from STMicroelectronics (ST-Link/V2)
  • Board support for Keil MCB1760 and Embest LPC1768-SK board
  • Board support for STM32L Discovery Kit and STM32F4 Manta Discovery Kit
  • Introduction of standalone command-line script debugger for automated testing
  • Many code-generation and usability improvements

For an overview on all new features in the latest ARM C compiler package release, read the Release Note v4.1r1 and Release Note v4.0r1.

The Total ARM C compiler solution for Cortex-M and Cortex-R4

  • Integrated Development Environment based on Eclipse, enabling extensibility through plug-ins from third parties (e.g. for RTOS configuration or debugging)
  • TASKING multi-core ready debugger seamlessly integrated
  • Efficient C, C++/EC++ compilers
    • Conforms (default) to ISO/IEC 9899:1999(E), as well as ANSI-C X3.159-1989
    • C++ compatible with ISO/IEC 14882:2003; supports additional C++0x language features
    • ARM ABI and CMSIS compliant
    • Industry standard ELF/Dwarf 3.0 output formats
    • Compatible with the TASKING VX-toolsets for C166 and TriCore, allowing for easy migration between architectures.
    • This same compiler is part of Altium Designer, delivering 100% compatibility to the hardware engineer and software engineer that want to have the best tools for their job
  • Integrated static code analysis functionality in the C compiler for the following standards: 
  • Global type checking by compiler and linker for verification of types
  • Powerful assembler and linker/locator, using a versatile linker-script-language
    • Enhanced memory layout editing control
    • Powerful data/code overlaying facilities
    • Data/code section allocation
    • Automatic and user-specified allocation in target memory
  • Built-in extensions to improve application code efficiency and stability:
    • Run-time error checking
    • Code profiling through code instrumentation
    • Syntax and semantic checks
  • Standard C, C++ and ANSI/IEEE-754 floating-point libraries
  • Easy to use wizards to help you to configure your project

More on our compiler technology, our compiler evolution and our assembler technology

Source code level ARM debugger
  • Easy, intuitive source level debugging in C or Assembly
  • Two execution environments:
    • Instruction set simulator
    • On-Chip and in-target debugging, supporting the J-Link by SEGGER and ST-Link(V1/V2) from STMicroelectronics
  • Seamless integration of the debugger into the Eclipse IDE
  • Separate standalone command-line script debugger for automated testing
  • Simulator debugger is included with all product bundles
  • Inherent RTOS-aware debugging support and OSEK ORTI support included

Supported ARM processors

Cortex-M0 Cortex-M1 Cortex-M3 Cortex-M4
Cortex-R4

Supported Cortex-M microcontroller manufacturers and derivatives

The list below mentions only the main derivatives of the respective families; the individual variants within these families are also supported (but not listed).

* Support provided in v4.2r1 release, available in February 2012
Energy Micro EFM32 Gecko 200 series
EFM32 Gecko 800 series
Infineon Technologies XMC4000 family*
NXP LPC11xx (M0)
LPC13xx (M3)
LPC17xx (M3)
STMicroelectronics STM32 F1 Series
STM32 F2 Series
STM32 F4 Series
STM32 L1 Series
STM32 W Series*
Texas Instruments LM3Sx00
LM3S1000
LM3S2000
LM3S3000
LM3S5000
LM3S6000
LM3S8000
LM3S9000
TMS570

Third-party tools supporting the TASKING ARM C compiler

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

Read more about the TASKING ARM compiler solutions

Recommended reading
Press releases related to the ARM C compiler
Purchasing the TASKING VX-toolset for ARM

To purchase a TASKING compiler license contact your local Altium Sales & Support Center, Reseller or order online.

Product codes
Order code Product contents PC/Windows price
Standalone license
07-200-103-804  Standard Edition VX-toolset for ARM Cortex-M:
Eclipse IDE, C/C++ compiler, assembler, linker/locator, simulator debugger 		 EUR 1,495
 USD 1,795
07-200-103-806  Professional Edition VX-toolset for ARM Cortex-M:
Eclipse IDE, C/C++ compiler, assembler, linker/locator, simulator debugger and on-chip debugger 		 EUR 1,695
 USD 1,995
07-200-103-808  Premium Edition VX-toolset for ARM Cortex-M and Cortex-R4:
Eclipse IDE, C/C++ compiler, assembler, linker/locator, simulator debugger and on-chip debugger
  EUR 1,995
 USD 2,395
07-290-103-001  ST-Link USB-JTAG debug probe:
STMicroelectronics' In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer for STM32 microcontrollers
Note: Available as long as stock lasts
07-290-103-002  ST-Link/V2 USB-JTAG debug probe:
STMicroelectronics' In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer for STM32 microcontrollers
07-290-103-011  J-Link debug probe
SEGGER's USB driven JTAG interface
07-290-103-012  J-Link Pro debug probe
SEGGER's USB and Ethernet driven JTAG interface
07-290-103-013  J-Link Ultra debug probe
SEGGER's Hi-Speed USB 2.0 driven JTAG interface

The ARM VX-toolset is available on PC/Windows and Sun/Solaris platforms; PC/Linux on request. The on-chip debugger is only available on PC/Windows.

Interested in our free demo C compiler for the ARM? Download the fully working trial version.