Date: 20/06/2012

IAR enhances its embedded software dev tools to cover full ARM Cortex range

IAR Systems has announced C/C++ compiler and debugger tool suite IAR Embedded Workbench for the complete range of ARM Cortex cores.

IAR Systems claims it supplies development tools for more ARM devices than any other embedded development tools vendor. The new additions now included for the energy-efficient ARM Cortex-M0+ core, and the high-end cores ARM Cortex-R5, ARM Cortex-R7, ARM Cortex-A7, and ARM Cortex-A15.

“We see a growing adaptation of the standardization concept among our customers.” says Stefan Skarin, CEO, IAR Systems. “A lot of them are taking advantage of the unique possibilities that come with being able to use one and the same toolchain for a wide range of MCUs based on any of the ARM Cortex cores.”

IAR Embedded Workbenc for ARM, version 6.40 enhanced with new features such as new source browser and text editor, which enable new user-friendly functionality. The compiler has also been improved with new features and enhancements, and also adds major optimizations. IAR says the speed optimizations result in up to 40 percent faster code compared to the previous version, on standard industry benchmarks for ARM Cortex-M4. Compared to the open-source GCC compiler, the code generated by the IAR C/C++ Compiler is 50 percent faster, claims IAR.

“We know that having highly optimized code is essential to many of our customers, and they trust us to supply them with the best possible tools.” says Petter Edman, Chief Technology Officer, IAR Systems. “For this version of IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM, we wanted to make the optimizations even more powerful. We are now able to generate faster code than ever before, and I am extremely proud of the entire team who made it happen.”