Missed our latest Simplicity Studio webinar? Fret not! Here’s a recap for you.
The webinar gives a quick introduction to Simplicity Studio for those who are new to the platform or just need a refresher. So what is Simplicity Studio? Fundamentally, it’s a window into Silicon Labs’ MCUs and Wireless solutions. It is a one-stop-shop development solution that allows you to get from idea to product faster using precompiled demos, application notes, and project examples.
Meeting MCU and wireless development challenges can be extremely difficult, especially when dealing with tight development schedules. To start a new project, one normally has to select the right MCU or radio for the application, learn about the selected device by reading documentation, reviewing training material, or watching tutorial videos, find sample code and projects to jumpstart the development process, learn how to use the specific software tools, download the latest user guide and get technical support when stuck.
Most of these are found on different platforms, websites, installers, and tools that make keeping track of everything difficult and inefficient. Simplicity Studio provides three major solutions for these problems as below:
First, Simplicity Studio allows for concurrent development of MCU and wireless projects, fixing fractured tool chains. The Simplicity IDE is a fully integrated tool chain. It is an Eclipse-based IDE supporting Keil®, IAR®, and GCC build tools. The Eclipse-platform enables support for additional Eclipse plugins as well. To improve performance during debug, the Simplicity IDE uses the Eclipse Debugger for C/C++ (or EDC) instead of the GNU debugger (or GDB). It also includes integration with Keil µVision or IAR Embedded Workbench. For 8-bit MCU development, Silicon Labs provides the leading 8051 toolset, Keil PK51 development tools, for free.
Second, unique and differentiated tools like Energy Profiler and Configurator are examples of optimization tools that reduce risk and complexity and get you from idea to product faster.
The Energy Profiler makes energy debugging simple by analyzing current consumption in real-time. It quickly identify areas of code that draw the most current and maps graphical output to lines of code. Clicking on an area on the graph will highlight the specific line of code executed during that point in time. Another nice feature is the bar graph identifying the energy consumption of each function.
Watch the Energy Profiler in action:
The Simplicity Configurator helps manage pin assignments easily & resolve pin conflicts automatically to save development time. It graphically configures Wireless, 32-bit and 8-bit MCUs, automatically generates C-code and creates a complete application using mode transitions. It has built-in intelligence for error checking and calculators to simplify settings. Also includes a Configurator project file for each code example.
Finally, find what you need when you need it – it’s all in one place. No more searching for datasheet updates, code examples, and other time consuming development tasks. Simplicity Studio gives you instant access to the latest software, documentation, tools, support and resources in one place, all free of charge.
In late February 2015, we released the newest version of Simplicity Studio. The latest release includes support for Silicon Labs IoT Products and several new design optimization tools, like the Network analyzer and the Appbuilder. So, what’s new in Simplicity Studio 3.0?
Microcontrollers and Wireless & RF
One of the newest products to be supported in Simplicity Studio is the new energy-friendly EFM8 MCUs based on the popular 8051 core. These devices are ideal for IoT systems processing data that comes from port I/O or sensor inputs. Simplicity Studio also gives you powerful choices when it comes to developing with EZR32 Wireless MCUs. The new EZR32 wireless MCUs deliver best-in-class power efficiency and sub-GHz RF performance which makes them ideal for any application requiring longer battery life, increased wireless range and small form factor. The Connect software stack within Simplicity Studio will provide a complete sub-GHz networking stack for building simple point-to-point and star networks. This can take care of all content, development, and optimization needs.
Network Analyzer
This is a packet tracer and network analysis tool that can examine live or previously captured network traffic in detail. It includes API tracing, a virtual UART and provides network-aware energy debugging to get the most robust networks and the smallest batteries. When used together with the Simplicity Energy Profiler, phenomenally energy-friendly designs can be created in a fraction of the time.
Watch a video to learn more about the Network Analyzer:
AppBuilder
The AppBuilder is a graphical tool with an embedded software framework and scenario templates for rapid development. New projects can be started based on an existing framework of best-practices developed and tested by Silicon Labs. The framework sits on top of the wireless networking stack to interface with the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) and provide application layer functionality such as startup routines and high-level APIs for creating and handling message payloads. It is also the fastest way to create certified products using ZigBee standard public application profiles—a feature that’s coming soon!
Install Simplicity Studio for free at www.silabs.com/simplicity-studio! Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux with 5 installation options and a custom option.
Webinar Recap: What's New in Simplicity Studio
Missed our latest Simplicity Studio webinar? Fret not! Here’s a recap for you.
The webinar gives a quick introduction to Simplicity Studio for those who are new to the platform or just need a refresher. So what is Simplicity Studio? Fundamentally, it’s a window into Silicon Labs’ MCUs and Wireless solutions. It is a one-stop-shop development solution that allows you to get from idea to product faster using precompiled demos, application notes, and project examples.
Meeting MCU and wireless development challenges can be extremely difficult, especially when dealing with tight development schedules. To start a new project, one normally has to select the right MCU or radio for the application, learn about the selected device by reading documentation, reviewing training material, or watching tutorial videos, find sample code and projects to jumpstart the development process, learn how to use the specific software tools, download the latest user guide and get technical support when stuck.
Most of these are found on different platforms, websites, installers, and tools that make keeping track of everything difficult and inefficient. Simplicity Studio provides three major solutions for these problems as below:
First, Simplicity Studio allows for concurrent development of MCU and wireless projects, fixing fractured tool chains. The Simplicity IDE is a fully integrated tool chain. It is an Eclipse-based IDE supporting Keil®, IAR®, and GCC build tools. The Eclipse-platform enables support for additional Eclipse plugins as well. To improve performance during debug, the Simplicity IDE uses the Eclipse Debugger for C/C++ (or EDC) instead of the GNU debugger (or GDB). It also includes integration with Keil µVision or IAR Embedded Workbench. For 8-bit MCU development, Silicon Labs provides the leading 8051 toolset, Keil PK51 development tools, for free.
Second, unique and differentiated tools like Energy Profiler and Configurator are examples of optimization tools that reduce risk and complexity and get you from idea to product faster.
The Energy Profiler makes energy debugging simple by analyzing current consumption in real-time. It quickly identify areas of code that draw the most current and maps graphical output to lines of code. Clicking on an area on the graph will highlight the specific line of code executed during that point in time. Another nice feature is the bar graph identifying the energy consumption of each function.
Watch the Energy Profiler in action:
The Simplicity Configurator helps manage pin assignments easily & resolve pin conflicts automatically to save development time. It graphically configures Wireless, 32-bit and 8-bit MCUs, automatically generates C-code and creates a complete application using mode transitions. It has built-in intelligence for error checking and calculators to simplify settings. Also includes a Configurator project file for each code example.
Finally, find what you need when you need it – it’s all in one place. No more searching for datasheet updates, code examples, and other time consuming development tasks. Simplicity Studio gives you instant access to the latest software, documentation, tools, support and resources in one place, all free of charge.
In late February 2015, we released the newest version of Simplicity Studio. The latest release includes support for Silicon Labs IoT Products and several new design optimization tools, like the Network analyzer and the Appbuilder. So, what’s new in Simplicity Studio 3.0?
Microcontrollers and Wireless & RF
One of the newest products to be supported in Simplicity Studio is the new energy-friendly EFM8 MCUs based on the popular 8051 core. These devices are ideal for IoT systems processing data that comes from port I/O or sensor inputs. Simplicity Studio also gives you powerful choices when it comes to developing with EZR32 Wireless MCUs. The new EZR32 wireless MCUs deliver best-in-class power efficiency and sub-GHz RF performance which makes them ideal for any application requiring longer battery life, increased wireless range and small form factor. The Connect software stack within Simplicity Studio will provide a complete sub-GHz networking stack for building simple point-to-point and star networks. This can take care of all content, development, and optimization needs.
Network Analyzer
This is a packet tracer and network analysis tool that can examine live or previously captured network traffic in detail. It includes API tracing, a virtual UART and provides network-aware energy debugging to get the most robust networks and the smallest batteries. When used together with the Simplicity Energy Profiler, phenomenally energy-friendly designs can be created in a fraction of the time.
Watch a video to learn more about the Network Analyzer:
AppBuilder
The AppBuilder is a graphical tool with an embedded software framework and scenario templates for rapid development. New projects can be started based on an existing framework of best-practices developed and tested by Silicon Labs. The framework sits on top of the wireless networking stack to interface with the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) and provide application layer functionality such as startup routines and high-level APIs for creating and handling message payloads. It is also the fastest way to create certified products using ZigBee standard public application profiles—a feature that’s coming soon!
Watch a video about the AppBuilder:
Visit the Simplicity Studio Forum for questions and answers, training videos and development resources including sample project ideas.
Install Simplicity Studio for free at www.silabs.com/simplicity-studio! Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux with 5 installation options and a custom option.