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 compiler, 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 compiler 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.

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 C166 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.

Product 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 full 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.