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MCUXpresso Suite of Software and Tools
The MCUXpresso SDK, IDEs, secure provisioning and configuration tools provide a leading developer experience, speeding up development time with high-quality software and tools for general purpose Arm® Cortex®- M-based products from NXP.
MCUXpresso Tools
MCUXpresso encompasses a range of IDE choices, supported by powerful configuration and debug tools. Secure deployment of your application is simplified with NXP’s secure programming and provisioning tools.
| IDE Options | Description |
|---|---|
| MCUXpresso for Visual Studio Code (VS Code) | VS Code with extension from NXP to enable fast, flexible development. |
| MCUXpresso IDE | Customized, Eclipse-based, IDE for NXP MCUs, optimized for ease-of-use. |
| IAR Embedded Workbench | Safety certified, highly optimizing compiler and development environment for C/C++. |
| Arm Keil MDK | uVision IDE and Arm Compiler with extensive middleware. |
| Configuration Tools | |
|---|---|
| MCUXpresso Configuration Tools | Suite of configuration tools that enable you to rapidly configure pins, clocks, security, memory and drivers, enabling quicker understanding of NXP devices and easier migration to custom hardware designs. |
| Programming and Provisioning | |
|---|---|
| MCUXpresso SEC Secure Provisioning Tool | GUI-based application to simplify use of security features to generate and program secured bootable executables and enable secure provisioning. |
| Secure Provisioning SDK (SPSDK) | Secure Provisioning SDK (SPSDK) is an open-source development kit, providing all the low-level utilities utilized by the MCUXpresso SEC tool. |
| Debug Tools | |
|---|---|
| MCU-Link | Unified debug probe architecture for NXP's general-purpose Arm Cortex-M based MCUs. |
| FreeMASTER | Real-time debug monitor and data visualization tool that enables runtime configuration and tuning of embedded software applications. |
| P & E Micro | P and E Micro’s debug probes support a wide range of NXP products. Most Multilink probes are fully supported by MCUXpresso IDE and MCUXpresso for VS Code. |
| SEGGER | The J-Link debug probes with their outstanding performance, robustness and ease of use and are popular in the market. J-Link probes are fully supported by MCUXpresso IDE and MCUXpresso for VS Code. |
| HMI Design Software | |
|---|---|
| GUI Guider | HMI designer from NXP that enables the rapid development of high quality displays with the open-source LVGL graphics library. |
What is MCUXpresso Software and Tools?
The elements of the MCUXpresso Ecosystem combine to provide an exceptional developer experience on Arm Cortex M microcontrollers.
MCUXpresso Software Delivery
MCUXpresso Software Development Kit (SDK) is a comprehensive software enablement package designed to simplify and accelerate application development with Arm® Cortex®-M devices.
SDK Builder
Customize and download an SDK specific to your processor or evaluation board selections.
NXP GitHub
Access to MCUXpresso SDK and application examples and open source projects.
Open-CMSIS-Packs
Access to MCUXpresso SDK using an open standard delivery mechanism. IDEs import packs to add support for devices, boards and middleware.
Application Code Hub (ACH)
Use the interactive Application Code Hub dashboard to easily find microcontroller software examples, code snippets, application software packs and demos developed by our in-house experts
Develop Faster by Building on the Knowledge of Our Experts
The Application Code Hub (ACH) repository enables engineers to easily find microcontroller software examples.
MCUXpresso Application Software
NXP provides drivers and middleware with extensive examples and support for a range of RTOS choices and a broad selection of compatible middleware from our partner ecosystem.
Audio
USB enablement, essential audio processing and partner solutions for developing state-of-the-art low power audio products.
Cloud Connectivity
Integrated support for cloud services including Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure IoT integrated with NXP’s Edgelock2Go services, plus device management solutions from other specialist partners.
Functional Safety
Libraries to enable functional safety standards.
Graphics
Graphics libraries and tools from multiple partners plus open source and other free solutions from NXP for developing embedded GUIs of all levels of complexity.
Machine Learning
NXP® eIQ® machine learning software development environment for ML applications such as reliability monitoring, safety and face recognition.
Motor Control
MCUXpresso SDK includes Libraries for brushless DC, permanent magnet and AC induction motor solutions, complemented by tuning tools.
RTOS
MCUXpresso SDK includes FreeRTOS and Azure RTOS for most platforms, and support is also available for many of our MCUs in the Zephyr project. Other free and premium RTOS options are available from our partners.
Security
Solutions for secure programming and trust provisioning, plus run-time software support for bootloaders, OTA, communications and acceleration to enable robust and secure cloud-connected products.
Specialized Peripherals
Coprocessors, embedded programmable logic, accelerators and highly flexible peripherals.
Voice Processing
A range of voice control and communication software and solutions from NXP, including free voice recognition technology.
Touch Sensing
Software libraries and tools to complement NXP’s IEC61000-4-6 certified and low cost capacitive touch solutions.
Wired Connectivity
Wired communications stacks and libraries from NXP and select partners for USB, CANopen, plus networking stacks and protocols.
Wireless Connectivity
Wireless connectivity solutions to complement NXP’s general purpose Arm Cortex-M MCUs.
Development Boards and Prototyping Solutions
Whether you are looking to do fast device evaluation, build a proof of concept demonstrator or construct a full prototype, hardware platforms from NXP can meet your needs
Evaluation boards
Browse our hardware platforms to select the right board for your project.
Expansion Board Hub (EBH)
Find add-on boards from NXP and our partners, with related, MCUXpresso SDK-compatible drivers and examples.
Design Resources
Get expert advice from the MCUXpresso community.
Explore a mix of different trainings around MCUXpresso Software and Tools.
Explore a mix of different videos around tools, software, demos and getting-started videos.
Additional Documents
MCUXpresso Factsheet
Learn more about the MCUXpresso Ecosystem.
Read the factsheetMCUXpresso FAQs
What NXP products are supported by MCUXpresso software and tools?
The vast majority of general-purpose and wireless-enabled Arm® Cortex®-M based microcontrollers from NXP are supported by MCUXpresso for Visual Studio Code, MCUXpresso IDE, IAR Embedded Workbench and Arm Keil IDEs. MCUXpresso SDK and configuration tools are available for most of these devices, including all those introduced from 2016. You can view a complete list on the NXP Community.
MCUXpresso for VS Code can be used with all devices that have MCUXpresso SDK 2.13 or later support.
MCUXpresso SDK and CFG tools are also available for some devices in NXP’s digital signal controller (DSC) devices. See the DSC Developer Resources page for details.
How do I get started with MCUXpresso for Visual Studio Code (VS Code)?
MCUXpresso for VS Code is provided as an extension via Microsoft’s marketplace and also via a new installer from NXP, called the MCUXpresso Installer, which makes set up for all developers, including Zephyr and other open-source developers, much easier than before. Additional resources, training and instructions can be found on the MCUXpresso for VS Code Community.
What is the MCUXpresso Installer and what does it do?
The MCUXpresso Installer is an easy to use utility that greatly simplifies installation of tools that are used by MCUXpresso for VS Code. The Installer also includes options for set up of the various utilities needed for Zephyr project development. Additional resources, training and instructions can be found on the MCUXpresso for VS Code Community.
What are Open-CMSIS-Packs and how are they used?
A standard method of delivering software for use in popular development tools (IAR®, Arm Keil®, MCUXpresso IDE, MCUXpresso for VS Code). The software is delivered in “packs” specifically for middleware, boards and devices. The packs include details that the tools use to properly integrate the software. The packs can also include software examples to help developers get started. Learn more about Open-CMSIS-Packs on our software summary page.
How does NXP provide support for IAR Embedded Workbench and Arm Keil tools?
NXP includes example projects for IAR Embedded Workbench and Keil MDK as part of the standard MCUXpresso SDK packages. When using the SDK builder you can select the tools for which you want these examples to be included.
Which debug probe options do I have with MCUXpresso?
In addition to supporting LPC-Link2, MCU-Link, LPC11U35 based and OpenSDA debug probes from NXP, MCUXpresso IDE and MCUXpresso for VS Code support all SEGGER J-Link probes and most P and E Micro probes.