DO THE KEIL TOOLS WORK WITH ALL 8051 CHIPS?

Applies to: C51 C Compiler

Answer

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Information in this article applies to:

• C51 Version 5.50a
• C51 Version 6.02
• uVision2 Version 2.06

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QUESTION

I'm using a new chip from a new silicon vendor. We're considering the Keil development tools, but we need to know if the tools work with this chip.

ANSWER

The Keil 8051 development tools work with all 8051 derivatives.

When you write a C or assembly program with the Keil tools, you use the linker to create an ABSOLUTE OBJECT MODULE in OMF-51 format (which was created by Intel). More about this format may be found at the following URL.

BL51: INTEL OMF-51 OBJECT MODULE SPECIFICATION

An absolute object module is used for 2 things:

1. Creating an Intel HEX file (using the OH51 Object-HEX converter). You can use the HEX file to program an EPROM, FLASH, or pretty much any type of memory. If you can only program BINary files, we have a HEX2BIN converter that will do that, too.
2. Debugging with a simulator (like the Keil uVision2 Debugger), Debugging with a target debugger (like the Keil uVision2 Debugger and the MON51 Target monitor), or Debugging with an emulator (like those from Nohau, Hitex, Metalink, Signum, Ashling, iSystem, Ceibo, and so on). Virtually ALL 8051 emulators work with the Keil OMF-51 object module format. However, it is the responsibility of the emulator companies to implement the loader for that. We will provide specifications to any interested party.

Article last edited on: 2005-07-09 11:02:19