IAR compiler supports RL78 microcontrollers

More than 5,000 Renesas devices are now supported in one single environment, facilitating code reuse between projects.

The RL78 range is designed for low-power applications.

The IAR C/C++ compiler helps to keep the power consumption down by generating code tightly fitted to the RL78 central processing unit (CPU) core.

For example, the compiler makes full use of the new hardware multiplier/divider for faster arithmetic.

This makes the execution run faster and allows the microcontroller to enter one of its low-power modes after fewer clock cycles.

Together with intelligent linking, the compiler is claimed to provide excellent software performance.

IAR Embedded Workbench for RL78 is a set of C and C++ tools for building and debugging embedded system software for Renesas RL78 microcontrollers.

It provides a completely integrated development environment including a project manager, an editor, build tools and a debugger.

In a continuous workflow, source files and projects can be created, built and debugged on hardware or in a simulator.

IAR Embedded Workbench for RL78 features integrated support for the E1 and IECube emulator systems, allowing debugging on hardware including instruction trace.

A number of analysis features including profiling and code coverage allow the application to be tuned and tested beyond what is possible with less powerful tools, according to IAR.

The debugger also features a Timeline window displaying a graphical view of the interrupt log and the call stack on a shared timeline.

This provides a clear view of the system's basic behaviour.