Getting Started with the IoT Sensing Software Development Kit (ISSDK)

2.1 Go to MCUXpresso Configuration Tools

Available in both online and desktop editions, MCUXpresso Config Tools creates a custom SDK for Kinetis, LPC and i.MXRT microcontrollers.

Click on new configuration.

2.2 Build FRDM-K22F-A8974 Kit Configuration

Select the Sensor Demonstration Kit as shown below. For this example, the FRDM-K22F-A8974 Demonstration Kit is selected.

This builds the SDK package for the demonstration kit. A request is sent to the build server. Requests for SDK packages are served in the order they are received. Notification is provided when the package is ready. The package is provided as a zip file. When notified, download the package (zip file) to the local PC.

Choose the Operating System for the desired host, the IDE toolchain and any other Optional Middleware. For this example, as depicted, Windows, MCUXpresso IDE and ISSDK middleware is selected.

Note: ISSDK must be one of the Optional Middleware selections to develop an embedded sensor application. ISSDK provides the complete framework for sensor application development.

Now, click on Download SDK.

2.3 Install the Toolchain

NXP offers a complimentary toolchain called MCUXpresso IDE.

Get MCUXpresso IDE

Want to use a different toolchain?

No problem, The MCUXpresso SDK includes support for other tools such as IAR, Keil and command-line GCC.

2.4 Install Visualization

The sensor output of ISSDK example applications can be directly visualized on terminal applications like RealTerm, Tera Term, or Putty.

ISSDK also enables sensor visualization and data analysis on the FreeMASTER Sensor Tool. Download here.

Explore the SDK Package.

3.1 Unzip the Downloaded Package

3.2 Find the ISSDK Example Sensor Applications

The CMSIS, devices, docs, rtos and tools directories are unchanged from the standard MCUXpresso SDK deployments. The ISSDK folder appears as frdmk22f_a8974 in the /boards directory.

As shown above, ISSDK provides out-of-box example projects for the FXLS8974CF sensor. In addition, ISSDK includes algorithms such as Pedometer. These sensor out-of-box example projects are ready to build and run with the FRDM-K22F-A8974 Demonstration Kit.

In addition, a new middleware folder for ISSDK is created containing the ISSDK drivers, algorithms and other support files as follows:

3.3 Build and Run ISSDK Examples

If one or more of the demo applications sounds interesting, you're probably wanting to know how you can build and run yourself. Let us take "fxls8974cf_interrupt" out-of-box example available as part of the downloaded SDK package and try running it with our chosen IDE: MCUXpresso.

3.4 Install the Downloaded FRDM-K22F-A8974 SDK Package

Install the Downloaded FRDM-K22F-A8974 SDK Package Into MCUXpresso IDE (Simply drag and drop the Zipped SDK Package as it is to the “Installed SDKs” View).

Once the SDK installation is completed, click on ‘Import SDK examples’.

3.5 SDK Import Wizard

In the SDK import Wizard, Chose FRDM-K22F-A8974 Demo Kit as the available board for your project.

3.6 Import ISSDK

Import any existing ISSDK example from the list of available projects. We have chosen the fxls8974cf_interrupt example:

Note: Once, the ISSDK example is imported successfully, the MCUXpresso IDE automatically creates the corresponding standalone project in your workspace.

3.7 Build/Run

Build, run the imported project, loading the firmware to FRDM-K22F-A8974 Kit.

For the firmware to be loaded successfully, review Steps 1.3 and 1.4 to be sure that the MCU board has the latest OpenSDA FW and the PC has the appropriate Windows Serial Drivers.

The MCU board is now programmed and is ready to output FXLS8974CF sensor data.

3.8 View the Output

Terminal applications, such as Realterm, TeraTerm, or Putty, can be used to view the sensor output from the board. Refer to the readme.txt file in your workspace (standalone project) to configure the serial terminal correctly for successful communication with the Demonstration Kit. When the demonstration runs successfully, gyroscope output samples can be seen on the terminal window.

4.1 MCUXpresso IDE

The MCUXpresso IDE creates a standalone project folder for the chosen project under your workspace folder:

4.2 Success

Now start embedded application development, open the project from the folder with the desired IDE and start developing a custom application.

Additional References

• MCUXpresso Software and Tools
• MCUXpresso Config Tools
• MCUXpresso Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
• Freedom Sensor Toolbox - Community Edition: Sensor Evaluation and Visualization Software