The TriCore architecture from Infineon Technologies is a revolutionary 32-bit microcontroller design, optimized to offer the best of three worlds: real-time capabilities of a high-speed microcontroller, computational prowess of a DSP and the performance/price ratio of RISC load/store architecture.
Built upon the strong co-operation with Infineon, the TASKING TriCore Software Development Toolset is commonly regarded as the de facto industry standard for TriCore architecture software developments. The toolset consists of dedicated C/C++ compilers and assemblers for the various TriCore cores (TriCore, HSM, MCS, PCP), a multi-core linker/locator and debugger, all integrated into the popular Eclipse™ platform based Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
With software development experience since 1977, the TASKING tools have build up a solid reputation in the industry in all areas. The following aspects enabled the TASKING compiler suite to reach its leading position in the TriCore automotive market:
- Stable and reliable code-generation, proven in use for more than 10 years in a wide variety of development projects, including safety-critical automotive applications
- Industry proven highest code-optimizations for both speed and size
- Versatile Linker Script Language, offering maximum configurability
- Toolset with the shortest (compile-link) build times of your project
- Long-term support arrangements, enabling you to support your customers for the life-time of your products and beyond
- Software security arrangements (ESCROW) to back-up our long-term support commitment
- Legacy version support of "frozen" compiler versions
- No use of any open source in the code-generation chain or libraries
- Commitment to support your ISO 26262 compliance roadmap
- Very active development, close co-operation with Tier 1s and Infineon on toolset extensions (e.g. for AURIX support)
- Continuous compiler qualification against industry-standard test suites and real life applications, such as powertrain ECU code
- Guaranteed compatibility to all relevant third party solutions, including debuggers, AUTOSAR operating systems and AUTOSAR MCAL drivers
- Safety joins performance! What you get from the AURIX, is what you also expect from your compiler! The TASKING compiler has an excellent proven in use track record.
New features and enhancements in TriCore compiler release v4.0 and v4.1
- Introduction of multi-core support for the AURIX generation
- Support for the MCS cores of the GTM unit
- Dedicated C compiler for the Hardware Security Module (HSM)
- C++ compiler updated to support ISO/IEC 14882:2003 and select C++0x features
- Update of Eclipse IDE to the Indigo release and CDT 8.0.x
- Widely appreciated high-level ELF-object dumper
- Data Reference Modification (Variable Editing) functionality included (v4.0r2+)
- Debugger support for new AURIX boards
- The very advanced multi-core support for AURIX has been developed in collaboration with Infineon and leading automotive powertrain Tier 1s
A detailed overview of all changes in the latest release is provided in the Release Note and Release Note.
Upcoming features and enhancements in TriCore compiler release v4.2
- Further extended multi-core support for the AURIX generation
- Fully integrated "VX" compiler support for the HSM core
- Fully integrated "VX" compiler support for the 8-bit Standby Controller of the TC26x
In addition to the new toolset release v4.x, Altium still provides many popular older versions, such as a variety of v3.x versions, but also the v2.5r2 and v2.2r3, used in many AUTOSAR related projects. Versions prior to v3.0 are delivered with EDE and the CrossView Pro debugger. A detailed description of v2.x toolset is available in a dedicated product brochure.
Overview of the TASKING TriCore VX-toolset
IDE and C/C++ optimizing compilers
- Integrated Development Environment (IDE) based on Eclipse
- Plug-in that tightly integrates the TriCore toolset into the IDE
- enabling extensibility though plug-ins from third parties (e.g. for RTOS configuration or debugging)
- C/C++ compilers with integrated static code analysis for MISRA C and CERT C
- C/C++ compiler for TriCore
- C compiler for Peripheral Control Processor (PCP)
- C/C++ compiler for Hardware Security Module (HSM)
- Conforming to many industry standards, including:
- ISO/IEC 9899:1999(E), as well as ANSI-C X3.159-1989; C++ compatible with ISO/IEC 14882:2003
- MISRA C guidelines supported: MISRA-C:1998 and MISRA-C:2004
- CERT C secure coding standard
- Infineon's TriCore EABI
- ANSI/IEEE-754 floating point support
- ELF/DWARF support for tool interoperability
- C/C++ libraries, run-time libraries, floating-point libraries provided in source code
- Code profiling support in the compiler for collecting application statistics, helping to identify areas that could benefit from efficiency improvements
- Run-time error checking, helping to detect errors during program execution
- Code Compaction optimization:
- upto 10% more compact code on TC1.6 core based TriCore derivatives
- upto 5% mode compact code on TC1.3/TC1.3.1 based TriCore derivatives
- Functionally similar to VX-toolset for C166, allowing for easier migration between XC2000 and TriCore
- Project set up wizard to help you to configure a new project
- Conversion utility for project migration from EDE (toolset release v2.x) to Eclipse IDE (release v3.0+)
- TriCore CPU functional problem support:
- Code bypasses generated by the compiler
- Code checks by the assembler
- Protected libraries, tuned per TriCore derivative
Assemblers, linker/locator, utilities
- TriCore main core assembler
- PCP (Peripheral Control Processor) assembler
- MCS assembler
- Versatile linker/locator script language, with dedicated editor in Eclipse IDE
- Powerful data/code overlaying facilities
- Data/code section allocation
- Automatic and user specified allocation in target memory
- New make utility with support for parallel builds on multi-core systems, for faster compilations
- Map file viewer enabling easy analysis of project builds
Integrated Debugger
- New debugger technology, fully integrated into Eclipse, ready for the latest industry debugging trends like multi-core application development
- Debugging in C++, C and assembly through a simulator or On-Chip (OCDS) debugger
- Simulator debugger supports the TriCore and the PCP and is included with all product bundles
- On-Chip debugging is supported through the Infineon miniWiggler with DAP interface or a simple cable for Infineon evaluation boards with on-board wigglers. The miniWiggler is often provided with Infineon starter kits, but also available directly from Altium
- For OCDS the TASKING debugger makes use of Infineon's Device Access Server (DAS), which is provided with the toolset
- DAS allows remote debugging over a TCP/IP network
- Board support for a wide range of standard evaluation boards from Infineon (TriBoards, EasyKits) and 3rd parties like Hitex is included
- Integrated support for programming flash memory
Supported TriCore devices
| TC1130 | TC1164 | TC1166 | TC1167 | TC1197 | |
| TC1736 | |||||
| TC1762 | TC1766 | TC1767 | |||
| TC1782 | TC1784 | ||||
| TC1791 | TC1792 | TC1793 | TC1796 | TC1797 | TC1798 |
| AURIX TC26x | TC27x | TC29x | |||
| and more ... | |||||
Note: Legacy TriCore microcontrollers are supported by older TASKING TriCore toolset releases. Contact us for availability.
The TASKING toolset generally supports new TriCore derivatives well ahead of their introduction to the market. Contact our sales or support engineers for specific derivative support information.
Third-party tools supporting the TASKING TriCore C compiler
-
RTOS:
Arcticus Systems, FreeRTOS, Elektrobit, Embedded Office, ENEA Embedded Technology, Euros Embedded Systems, ETAS, Vector Informatik -
In-Circuit Emulator / JTAG Interface / debugger solutions:
Ashling Microsystems, Hitex Development Tools, iSYSTEM, Lauterbach Datentechnik, pls -
Evaluation boards:
Infineon Technologies, Hitex Development Tools, Isle, Phytec, TQ-Components -
Communication protocols:
Euros Embedded Systems, port GmbH, Vector Informatik -
Software design and test tools:
Absint, dSPACE, Gliwa, Infineon (DAvE), The MathWorks, Parasoft, Razorcat, RistanCASE, Vector Software, Visu-IT! -
Consultancy and/or training:
Gliwa, MicroConsult -
AUTOSAR:
ETAS
For more detailed information on third party tools support for the TASKING TriCore VX-toolset, take a look at the TASKING TriCore 'VX' third-party Product Guide (PDF).
Read more about the TASKING TriCore compiler solutions
Recommended reading
- Detailed VX-toolset for TriCore Datasheet (v3.5), Technical support, Application Notes, Tips & Tricks, TriCore VX-toolset manuals and FAQs
Press releases related to the TriCore C compiler
- Oct 2011: Infineon Introduces Microcontroller Multicore Architecture for Automotive Applications
- Mar 2011: Hitex Safety Concept with TASKING TriCore compiler supports the certification process of safety-critical applications according to IEC 61508 or ISO 26262 - honored with the Embedded AWARD 2011
- Mar 2011: VectorCAST Embedded Software Analysis and Test Applications Integrated with OSEK and TASKING TriCore compiler
- Feb 2010: Vector Software Announces Support for the TASKING TriCore compiler
- Mar 2009: Altium introduces TASKING TriCore VX-toolset v3.2
- Jan 2007: EEMBC Announces Benchmark Scores for Infineon's TriCore®-Based TC1796 Automotive Microcontroller
- Feb 2005: Altium offers TASKING TriCore VX-toolset v2.2 supporting Infineon Technologies
- Feb 2004: Altium announces support for Infineon’s new TC1130 microcontroller
- May 2003: New TASKING toolset from Altium uses Viper compiler Core technology to increase code efficiency for TriCore
- Feb 2003: Altium’s new compiler technology to deliver compact, fast code for TriCore developers
- Feb 2002: Altium’s TASKING brand first to support all Infineon microcontrollers
Purchasing the TASKING TriCore VX-toolset
If you would like to purchase a TASKING compiler license contact your local Altium Sales & Support Center, Reseller or order online.
Product codes
| 07-200-160-804: | Standard Edition VX-toolset for TriCore |
| 07-200-160-806: | Professional Edition VX-toolset for TriCore |
| 07-200-160-808: | Premium Edition VX-toolset for TriCore |
| 07-290-000-001: | USB-JTAG wiggler for OCDS debugging. Optional to Professional or Premium Edition |
Click here to view the contents of the different Editions. Editions of older releases may have a different content.
The TriCore VX-toolset is available on PC/Windows and PC/Linux platforms; Sun Solaris or other platforms on request. The Infineon DAS debugger drivers are only available on PC/Windows, and as a consequence the OCDS debugger also.
Download the full version for a 15-day evaluation.