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MCUXpresso IDE Guide

Complete resource for using NXP's MCUXpresso IDE for LPC, Kinetis, and i.MX RT microcontroller development.

Introduction to MCUXpresso IDE

MCUXpresso IDE is NXP's integrated development environment based on Eclipse, specifically designed for developing applications on NXP's LPC, Kinetis, and i.MX RT microcontrollers. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for editing, compiling, debugging, and profiling embedded applications with seamless integration of NXP's hardware and software ecosystems.

Key Features

  • Free download and use with no code size limitations
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop pin configuration tool
  • Integrated CMSIS-Pack manager for device support
  • Powerful debug capabilities with RTOS awareness
  • Code generation tools for peripherals and middleware
  • Integrated terminal for serial communication

Supported Device Families

  • LPC5500 series (Cortex-M33)
  • LPC54000 series (Cortex-M4F)
  • Kinetis K series (Cortex-M4F, M0+)
  • Kinetis E series (Cortex-M4F)
  • i.MX RT series (Cortex-M7)
  • LPC1800/4300 series (Cortex-M0+, M4)

Installing MCUXpresso IDE

Follow these steps to install and set up MCUXpresso IDE:

  1. Visit the contact page to request access to development tools from our FAEs
  2. Download MCUXpresso IDE from NXP's official website
  3. Run the installer and follow the setup wizard
  4. Accept the license agreements
  5. Choose installation directory and components
  6. Complete the installation and launch the IDE

For device-specific setup instructions or licensing questions, contact our technical support team.

Project Configuration

Creating New Projects

Use the MCUXpresso IDE project wizard to create new projects for your target device:

  1. Select File > New > C/C++ Project
  2. Choose "C Project" and select "MCUXpressoIDE Managed Build" project type
  3. Select your target device from the list
  4. Choose the appropriate template (Empty, Hello World, etc.)
  5. Configure project settings and click Finish

Pin Configuration

Use the intuitive pin configuration tool to assign peripherals to device pins:

  1. Open the "Pins" tab in your project
  2. Select your package variant
  3. Drag and drop peripherals to pin locations
  4. Configure pin properties and settings
  5. Generate code to update your project

Debugging Capabilities

MCUXpresso IDE provides advanced debugging features:

  • Multi-core Debugging: Support for debugging multi-core devices like i.MX RT1170
  • Trace Capabilities: Integrated ETM trace support for performance analysis
  • RTOS Awareness: Full visibility into RTOS threads and objects
  • Peripheral View: Real-time visualization of peripheral registers
  • Power Profiling: Analysis of power consumption in your application
  • Code Coverage: Analysis of executed code paths

For complex debugging scenarios or performance optimization, our FAEs can provide specialized assistance for your specific application.

Best Practices

Project Organization

Organize your code in logical folders and use meaningful names for variables and functions.

Version Control

Use Git integration within MCUXpresso IDE to track changes and collaborate effectively.

Documentation

Maintain detailed documentation for your code and hardware configurations.

Testing

Implement unit testing and validation strategies early in your development cycle.

Additional Resources

Further resources for MCUXpresso development:

Get Support

Our NXP-certified FAEs can help with your MCUXpresso development:

  • IDE configuration and optimization
  • Debugging complex issues
  • Migration from other development environments
  • Performance optimization techniques
Contact Technical Support