Source: IAR Systems
April 9, 2008

IAR Systems announces native hardware debug and C++ compiler support for Microchip Technology’s 16-bit PIC24 MCUs and dsPIC33F DSCs

IAR Embedded Workbench for the Microchip dsPIC33F digital signal controllers and PIC24 microcontrollers now supports native hardware level debugging through the Microchip MPLAB REAL ICE In-Circuit Emulator System

IAR Systems has strengthened its support for Microchip Technology’s range of 16-bit PIC24 microcontrollers (MCUs) and dsPIC33F digital signal controllers (DSCs) by adding native hardware level debug support, through the inclusion of the Microchip MPLAB® REAL ICE™ In-Circuit Emulator System within its C-SPY® debugger, an integral component of IAR Embedded Workbench®.

IAR Embedded Workbench incorporates a C/C++ compiler, assembler, linker, librarian, text editor, project manager and C-SPY Debugger in a single integrated development environment (IDE), giving the developer the advantage of an uninterrupted workflow and a single toolbox in which all components integrate seamlessly.

IAR Embedded Workbench for dsPIC® DSC/PIC24 also features seamless integration with IAR visualSTATE®, a graphical development tool for creating demanding event-driven embedded applications. IAR visualSTATE generates optimized ANSI C code from state machine designs based on UML, providing advanced verification and validation utilities, and the C/C++ code it produces is very compact and 100% consistent with the system design. Using the combination of IAR visualSTATE and IAR Embedded Workbench enables developers to increase the feature richness and code quality of an application while reducing implementation complexity and improving maintainability.

“IAR Systems is a leading independent vendor of embedded tools. Our close working relationship gives demanding developers of dsPIC digital signal controller and PIC24 microcontroller applications access to a premier tool chain for quickly and easily generating precise code in both C and C++,” commented Derek Carlson, Vice President of Development Tools for Microchip.

“Microchip is the leading player in the 16-bit arena,” added Henrik Flodell, Product Manager of IAR Systems. “We are very pleased to be able to extend the advanced development and debug capability we can offer dsPIC DSC/PIC24 developers by including the MPLAB REAL ICE In-Circuit Emulator System in our tool suite.”

About IAR Systems
IAR Systems is the world’s leading supplier of software tools for embedded systems that enable large and small companies to develop premium products based on 8-, 16-, and 32-bit microcontrollers, mainly in the areas of industrial automation, medical devices, consumer electronics and automotive products. IAR Systems has an extensive network of partners and cooperates with the world’s leading semiconductor vendors. Established in 1983, IAR Systems is part of the Nocom Group since 2005. For more information, please visit www.iar.com

About Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.