The engineering software offered by ARM, the world's largest microprocessor technology producer, provides technical support and product maintenance assistance. Users can access new versions, compiler updates, and many other resources. For MDK 5, a version with a perpetual license, maintaining a valid subscription is required for accessing this support. A subscription offers numerous additional benefits, including ongoing updates, reference projects, and other resources such as technical support. When purchasing a perpetual license for ARM Keil MDK v5, customers receive a 12-month subscription included in the product price, which can be extended for an additional fee.
Benefits of Updates
Given the regular introduction of new solutions in microprocessor architecture and models, ARM continuously updates its software, including Keil MDK. Several times a year, updates are released for the development environment (IDE), which supports the largest number of devices from various manufacturers—currently over 10,000 Arm-based microcontrollers. The list of supported processors is regularly updated with new versions.MDK is the most comprehensive development solution designed for handling microcontrollers based on Cortex-M cores. It includes all components needed to create, compile, and debug embedded applications. With a subscription, users can easily download new software versions, ensuring access to the latest features. For MDK v5, these improvements can be divided into several main categories: compiler optimization, middleware enhancements, changes in μVision functionality, debugging improvements, and updates to drivers and models.
Updates also include bug fixes and software performance improvements. ARM engineers and developers continuously refine the product, ensuring it remains certified and includes these enhancements. This also extends to improvements in debugging and a reading information and visualizing results. Debugging device drivers are also regularly upgraded. Additionally, documentation and help files are frequently updated, too.
What’s New in Arm Keil MDK v 5.41?
Several significant changes have been introduced in the latest version of MDK-ARM (from version 5.41), enhancing the efficiency and security of the installation process and project work.Change in Installation Location
Starting with MDK version 5.40, the default installation location has been changed from C:\Keil_v5\ to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Keil_v5\. This new location provides appropriate file permissions, protecting against the security vulnerability CVE-2022-43701. Users should ensure proper access rights are set for the installation folder. Details are available in the installation documentation.
Improvements in μVision
- Fixed: Project files generated by the gpdsc Generator are not included in the project, causing build of the project fails.
- Updated: Arm UBL (armlm) licensing tools updated to version 1.3.1.
- When creating a “New Project” the default project target is named “Target_1” (no space). Note: When using STM32CubeMX project targets must not contain spaces
- Updated: The uv2csolution converter was updated to version 1.5.0. This version is compatible with CMSIS solution project features from CMSIS-Toolbox >= 2.5.0 and fixes duplicate files in projects generated with STM32CubeMX.
Arm Compiler
- Arm Compiler 6 (version 6.22) remains unchanged. Details on this version can be found in the release notes.
Software Package Updates
- Keil::MDK-Middleware@7.17.0 (unchanged):
- Components: Network (7.19.0), FileSystem (6.16.6), USB (6.17.0). - Arm::CMSIS@6.1.0 (unchanged).
- Arm::CMSIS-Compiler@2.1.0 (unchanged).
- Arm::CMSIS-Driver@2.8.0 (unchanged).
- Arm::CMSIS-DSP@1.16.2.
- Arm::CMSIS-NN@5.0.0.
- Arm::CMSIS-RTX@5.9.0 (unchanged).
- Arm::CMSIS-View@1.2.0 (unchanged).
- Arm::Cortex_DFP@1.1.0 (unchanged).
CMSIS-Toolbox Update
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CMSIS-Toolbox has been updated to version 2.6.0, introducing new features and fixes detailed in the release notes.
Cortex-M and Corstone Models
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AVH FVP models updated to version 11.26.11.
Target Debugging
- Segger J-Link: Debugger driver updated to version 7.98c.
- STMicroelectronics ST-LINK: ST-LINK driver version 3.3.0 and ST-Link update tool 3.15.6 (unchanged).
- Nuvoton NU-Link: NuLink driver updated to version 3.15.7623r (unchanged).
These are just some of the key changes in the latest MDK-ARM version. It is advisable to follow the documentation and release notes to stay informed about new features and fixes.
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