Getting up to speed on a new component, framework or platform can seem like a daunting task. There is so much to learn and so little time that without a little assistance, the process is overwhelming and time consuming. Renesas has pulled together numerous resources and made them available to developers to assist them in getting through the learning curve as quickly as possible. In this post, we will walk the reader through the essential resources that they will need to decrease their learning curve.
The first resource that is critical to developers using Synergy is the tools that come with the platform. Synergy tools range from the ISDE which includes the e2 Studio and IAR Embedded Workbench® for Synergy, the SSP, TraceX, GuiX and other add-on software that developers will want to be familiar with. Developers will want to make sure that the periodically login to the Synergy Gallery to download the latest tools and check for verified and qualified add-on software.
Once a developer has access to tools that they need, they will undoubtedly need to understand how these tools work. Developers should pay attention to the abundant resources available on the main Renesas Synergy website located in the left side bar. Developers can find links to application notes, manuals, a book and event technical support. There are even resources available to understand Synergy and find development kits and solutions that can jump start the development cycle.
There are also a few hidden resources that developers may not even realize are available to them. First, there is a datasheet for the SSP. The SSP datasheet provides and overview for the framework, all its components, and provides important information related to how much code space and SRAM are required for each framework component.
Next, Renesas has uploaded over thirty different videos to the Renesas Synergy YouTube Channel that cover topics ranging from a Synergy overview to setting up the various toolchains. There are videos that describe how to create projects, configure pins, clocks and TraceX. Each video is less than ten minutes and provides insights that will help developers get up to speed much faster.
Developers also have access to the Renesas Rulz website which not only contains this blog but a forum to post questions and get answers on everything Synergy. Chances are when a problem is encountered in the development cycle, someone else has already encountered that problem and the Renesas Rulz forum is a great place to check first. The forum also has a special section for technical notes that keep developers informed.
When developers get to the software development phase the greatest resource available is the SSP user manual. The user manual is installed locally on a developer’s computer when they install the SSP. By default, the user manual is installed in the C:\Renesas\Synergy directory but developers have the ability to install it anywhere. The user manual contains everything that a developer needs to understand how the SSP is organized and works. The user manual provides examples, descriptions and even defines the API’s and interfaces that developers will need to understand to use many of the components.
Until next week,
Live long and profit!
Professor_IoT
Hot Tip of the Week
Bluetooth is a hot development area and you can get a head start on your design with these two Application Projects.
The Renesas Bluetooth MCU (RL78/G1D) Application Project applies to the SK-S7G2 Kit and illustrates how Bluetooth is implemented on that kit. Just click here.
The Bluetooth Low Energy on DK-S7G2 and DK-S3A7 Application Project illustrates how to pair the kits with iOS devices to transmit sensor values and on or off LED commands. Just click here.