MDK-ARM Version 5: Software Packs Explained

MDK uses the concept of Software packs for providing support for microcontroller devices and development boards. Software Packs can also contain software components such as drivers and middleware, including example projects and code templates.

The following types of Software Packs can be distinguished:

• Device Family Pack (DFP): generated by a silicon supplier or tool vendor; provides support to create software applications for a specific target microcontroller.
• CMSIS Pack: provided by ARM® and includes support for CMSIS-Core, DSP, and RTOS.
• Middleware Pack: created by a silicon supplier, tool vendor or a third party; reduces development time by giving access to popular software components (such as software stacks, special hardware libraries, etc). There are various Middleware Packs already available at www.keil.com/dd2/pack.
• Board Support Pack (BSP): published by a board vendor to support the peripheral hardware mounted on the board.
• In-house Software Pack: developed by the tool user for internal or external distribution of software components.

The latest version of the CMSIS Pack contains documentation that explains the basics behind each Software Pack and how to write and publish your own Pack successfully:

• CMSIS-Pack: Pack with Software Components describes how to create Software Packs for Software Components.
• CMSIS-Pack: Pack with Device Support walks you through the creation of a Software Packs to add support for new devices (using DFPs) in MDK.
• CMSIS-Pack: Pack with Board Support shows how Board Support Packs are created.
• CMSIS-Pack: Publish a Pack tells you how to publish a Software Pack.

CMSIS also contains the CMSIS-Driver API that describes peripheral driver interfaces for middleware stacks and user applications. Software Packs help you to publish such drivers for various middleware stacks.

In addition, the MDK website contains videos about:

• MDK Overview
• Getting started with MDK
• Software Packs, Peripheral Drivers, and Run-Time Environment
• Product Lifecycle Management with Software Packs

The MDK-Professional Middleware website describes the Middleware Software Pack in more detail.

The new Device Database lists all available DFPs, whereas the Pack website shows all Software Packs.

If you want to know more about MDK in general, please visit www2.keil.com/mdk5.

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