Companies partner to enhance automotive MCU software development toolchain

GigaDevice partners with HighTec to enhance tools ecosystem: HighTec C/C++ Compiler supports GigaDevice GD32A7x series to boost reliability and performance in automotive safety applications.

In close cooperation with GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc., HighTec EDV-Systeme GmbH has announced the full support of its C/C++ compiler suite for GigaDevice’s GD32A7x series. HighTec’s LLVM C/C++ suite is built on modern LLVM open-source technology and allows automotive software developers to take full advantage of the high performance and high reliability of the GD32A7x 32-bit Arm automotive platform. HighTec’s ISO 26262 ASIL D qualified compiler generates optimised target code for safety-critical applications based on the GD32A7x MCUs, such as body control, zone control and ADAS assistant driving systems. As a tool partner of GigaDevice and their GD32A7x series, the company supplies advanced and reliable compiler technology for their most recent architectures.

GigaDevice’s GD32A7x series contains automotive-grade 32-bit MCUs which meet the high reliability and performance needs of demanding automotive motor and power applications. The MCUs include a built-in hardware multiplier/divider, DSP instruction set and single-precision FPU, improving processing efficiency for high-performance and low-power applications. With the company providing compiler support for GD32A7x MCUs, GigaDevice is widening its ecosystems for the automotive sector.

The C/C++ Compiler Suite based on LLVM can be used as a standalone tool or within the HighTec IDE. In addition to the GD32A7x MCU’s main Arm core, the multi-architecture compiler also supports all co-processors on the MCUs, like Global Time Management (GTM) and Multi-Channel Sequencer (MCS) modules, allowing C programming for the latest GTM IP 4.1 for automotive applications. The compiler supports GD32A7x MCALs and AUTOSAR platforms and certified standard libraries, which comply with the highest safety level ISO 26262 up to ASIL D.

“HighTec enriches our ecosystem for automotive customers with its proven C/C++ compiler suite”, says Monica He, head of Automotive Products Department at GigaDevice. “The advanced capabilities of HighTec’s compiler enable automotive software developers to fully leverage the GD32A7’s capabilities and build a highly optimised, reliable and high-performing code.”

“Thanks to the partnership with GigaDevice, we can help customers with our safety-certified HighTec C/C++ compiler to speed up and optimise their development process for automotive safety applications based on GigaDevice’s GD32A7 SoCs while ensuring safety, security and performance,” says Mario Cupelli, CTO at HighTec EDV-Systeme.