Tool Stock and Availability

HEW Target Server is included with the Renesas High-performance Embedded Workshop.

What is HEW Target Server?

HEW Target Server (HTS for short) is a COM Object for Windows® that exposes a wealth of communication and automation functions for the Renesas integrated development environment, HEW. By using HTS, you gain control of HEW, its debug interface, and the target MCU/MPU. With HEW Target Server, you can create helper applications, test benches and virtual control panels; automate processes and programming; communicate with target MCUs/MPUs; and do much more – the possibilities are endless! Importantly, HTS grants a new level of interactivity with your design without expensive code or overhead. HEW Target Server can be used with any application that takes advantage of Windows COM technology. HTS exposes a large API of intimate functions for controlling HEW and communicating with any MCU or MPU connected through the debug link. These functions include:

  • Start and stop HEW
  • Manipulate workspaces, sessions, projects and configurations
  • Add and delete project files, get file names, open files
  • Build, rebuild, update dependencies, and set compiler options
  • Retrieve status and error messages from HEW and the target MCU/MPU
  • Download or unload modules to Target MCU/MPU
  • Perform symbol watches, translations, and lookups
  • Debug functions such as code coverage, tracing, and breakpoints
  • Implement full CPU control (Reset, Start, Stop, Step, Step Over, etc.)
  • Set and monitor interrupt conditions
  • Perform read and write memory access, including all registers

More information on the HEW Target Server API

More information on the composition of HEW Target Server

What can you do with HEW Target Server?

HEW Target Server (HTS) is an easy to use Windows COM object which provides a powerful interface between a Windows Application and the Renesas Development Software (HEW).

In this example, a Windows program operates a motor controller. The link from GUI to controller is done over the USB debugging link. No communication hardware was added to the design. The GUI sends commands to the controller and gets status back such as RPMs and current.

How about a custom Function Generator? Using a Renesas Starter Kit and HEW Target Server, a custom Windows program could setup the timers on a low cost Renesas Starter Kit’s MCU to produce a wide range of waveforms. You could even modulate one timer with another or output complex arbitrary waveforms directly from files on a PC.

Example Ideas

The following list provides some additional ideas of applications for HEW Target Server. Note, this list is provided as an example only and is not an indication of available example or project code.

Adobe plug-in HTS enabled plug-in for Adobe products to output data from Adobe to a target MCU and/or HEW.
Advanced break and trace debug system This program would use HTS to work with HEW and provide additional break and trace debug feature such as highly advanced breakpoints, very deep trace, etc.
Arbitrary function generator Program on the PC that would send data files to a target MCU to be output via GIO or DAC as an arbitrary waveform.
Audio analyzer Displays data from a target MCU's ADC channels as audio data.
Automated production programmer PC based program to automate opening HEW and downloading code to a target MCU.
Automated production tester PC based program to automate opening HEW and running test procedures on a target MCU for production testing.
Automotive diagnostic interface / analyzer Works with a target MCU with serial and/or CAN to communicate with automotive computer systems. Data would display on a PC program linked via HTS.
Bandwidth calculator PC program to calculate and analyze MCU bus bandwidth.
Bar code scanner / tester PC program to emulate barcode data for a target MCU. Allows testing of target MCU code w/o actual barcode reader hardware.
BASIC converter / interpreter PC program which reads and converts BASIC to code for a target MCU.
Battery life tester MCU and PC program which reads and displays values from a battery under test connected to the MCU's ADC channels.
Big Brother HTS based program monitors HEW and reports project info and stats remotely. Useful for multi person and team project development.
CAN analyzer PC program to send and receive CAN data via HTS to a target MCU. Allows testing of CAN designs w/o hardware and sniffing of CAN interfaces.
Complex math formula converter using MatLab HTS plug-in for Matlab that takes math formulas and converts them into code or data tables for a target MCU.
Computer controlled power sequencer Uses a target MCU controlled via a PC program to sequence relays or other power devices.
Computer to GPIO interface Visual PC program to set and read I/O on a target MCU. Great use for quick testing of circuits and systems.
Display color calibrator PC program displays various colors on screen and uses feedback from a target MCU and a light sensor connected to its ADC to match color value data.
Dumb terminal PC program that acts as a dumb terminal for a target MCU. Allows sending and receiving of various data.
Eclipse interface / plug-in / interface HTS interface for Eclipse allowing HEW and target MCUs to operate with Eclipse.
Ethernet emulator / sniffer PC program using HTS working with an Ethernet ready MCU to sniff Ethernet data. Could also provide a simple test platform for Ethernet products.
Example code builder / generator HTS plug-in for HEW contains various drivers and examples to exercise target MCU peripherals. Allows for visual selection and building.
Field programmer PC program using HTS to download updates to a target MCU in the field.
Graphical memory tester for target MCUs and boards Program to run scans and memory tests of target MCUs and the memory in those systems. Program could display graphical results and be automated.
Graphical timer interface Allows a graphical setup of timer systems from a PC interface. Could also display expected waveforms.
H file generator HEW plug-in via HTS to create H files from data and code sources.
Handheld computer system Self contained MCU system would use HTS and a host PC for it's interface.
HEW auto publish PC program using HTS to automatically save and post a project to a remote drive, website, blog, or other location at the push of a button.
HEW file auto header HEW plug-in works with HTS and automatically updates all files in a given project with a standard or custom header. Useful to maintain look and feel across files.
HEW maid Uses HTS to perform full project cleans and organize and clean project code.
HEW project analyzer Analyzes HEW projects and recommends setup options for compiler, linker, etc. to improve performance.
HEW project archiver PC program to take HEW projects and archive them into a complete, retrievable, and indexable format.
HEW project offline storage program Uses HTS to compress a complete HEW project and download it as a data block to a target MCU. Never be without your original source code again.
HEW timeclock PC based timeclock program uses HTS to start HEW and build projects at specified times and dates. Useful for building large projects after hours.
HEW workflow organizer PC based program allows selection of projects, starts HEW, loads project, and can even download code to target MCU with 1 button click.
I2C emulator / tester Program on the PC to send and receive I2C data to/from a target MCU. Allows testing of I2C interfaces w/o hardware and sniffing of I2C interfaces.
I2S emulator / tester Program on the PC to send and receive I2S data to/from a target MCU. Allows testing of I2S interfaces w/o hardware and sniffing of I2S interfaces.
IDE emulator PC program to emulate an IDE interface for a target MCU. Allows testing of IDE type interfaces w/o actual hardware.
IDE hard drive interface MCU based system has an IDE interface for drives and communicates using HTS back to the PC. Useful to quickly connect an HDD on a desk and retrieve contents.
In system external memory programmer PC program to send data to a target MCU to program EEPROMS, Flash, and other storage devices connected to a target MCU.
IRQ setup Visual PC program to setup and test MCU IRQs.
Java converter / interpreter PC program which reads and converts Java to code for a target MCU.
Microsoft Office plug-in / interface A plug-in for Microsoft Office products which allow HTS to be called and used in macros and VB scripting.
Mini File Transfer PC program which allows drag and drop of data files for automatic download to target MCU or external memory space.
MISRA checker. HEW plug-in to check for MISRA compliance.
Mother Uses HTS to monitor HEW and continually remind a user to save their work.
Oscillator calculator / analyzer Program to help setup and analyze MCU clocking, calculate frequencies and visually represent clock structures.
Oscilloscope Program on the PC that would capture data from a target MCU and/or it's ADC channels.
Output file converter Program using HTS to convert HEW output from one file format to another. Useful for production programming, etc.
pH meter Display a pH meter on the PC with values from a target MCU.
PLC interface / tester PC program to send and receive PLC data via HTS to a target MCU. Allows testing of PLC designs w/o hardware.
Project generator / assistant / wizard HTS plug-in for HEW provides graphical, step by step wizard like operation of basic setup for a target MCU.
Project watchdog. PC program uses HTS to control and automate software revisions and builds across multi person and team projects.
PS/2 emulator / tester Program on the PC to send and receive PS/2 data to/from a target MCU. Allows testing of PS/2 interfaces w/o hardware.
push button scan matrix emulator A program on the PC that would emulate a push button scan matrix back to a target MCU allow scan timings to be tested w/o hardware.
Random number generator Uses clocking from PC host and target MCU to generate random numbers.
RF sniffer PC program using HTS working with an RF hardware system to sniff RF data. Could also provide a simple test platform for various RF products.
Robot control interface A graphical PC program and control interface using HTS to communicate with a robotic system.
RTOS configurator Visual PC program uses HTS to graphically configure an RTOS, mailboxes, semaphores, etc.
Serial number generator/downloader PC program using HTS to download serial numbers into a target MCU/system.
Serial port emulator / tester Program on the PC to send and receive serial data to/from a target MCU. Allows testing of serial interfaces w/o hardware and sniffing of serial interfaces.
Simple function generator Program on the PC that would setup a target MCU's timers to create various waveforms.
Simple math formula converter using Excel HTS plug-in for Excel that takes math formulas from Excel and converts them into code or data tables for a target MCU.
Sound recorder Records sound using the PC and downloads to target MCU as data or creates .H files for inclusion into a project.
SPI emulator / tester Program on the PC to send and receive SPI data to/from a target MCU. Allows testing of SPI interfaces w/o hardware and sniffing of SPI busses.
State machine builder PC program using visual objects to build state machines for a target MCU. Output could be data tables, .H or .C files.
temperature monitor / sensor Simple PC program reads data from a target MCU's ADC pin to report temperature.
Tiny web server MCU based web server would use HTS as a backdoor for publishing web data and performing maintenance.
Tone generator / tester This program would provide a visual interface on the PC to setup a target MCU to generate various tones or DTMF tones.
USB tester / sniffer PC program using HTS working with a USB based MCU and hardware system to sniff or generate USB data.
Virtual control panel A graphical PC based interface for buttons, LEDs, noise makers, etc. Allows a user to create a product's front panel and test w/o actual hardware.
Virtual dB / SPL meter Display a dB or sound pressure level meter on the PC with values form a target MCU.
Virtual keyboard PC program that provides a keyboard, keypad, or custom button interface via HTS to a target MCU.
Virtual LCD interface Display a customer LCD or matrix LCD on the PC and use data from a target MCU to operate the display. Allows testing of display functions w/o actual hardware.
Virtual USB device PC program would communicate and setup target MCU as different types of USB devices. Useful for debug of USB-MCU interfaces since HTS would not use the same USB interface.
Visio XML parser / code converter HTS plug-in for Vision that takes flow charts and XML data and coverts them into code and/or data tables for a target MCU.
Visual code builder Allows a user to visually build projects and driver code for a target MCU.
Visual code coverage tool Graphical PC program to show code coverage.
Visual DMA setup PC program which provides a graphical setup of a target MCU's DMA system .
Visual Editor Simple PC paint program downloads data via HTS to target MCU or creates .H files for a HEW project.
Visual memory mapper Reads target MCU/board memory and displays visually on PC. Allows PC to graphically move memory areas and generates .H code and linker files to suit.
Visual peripheral configurator Graphical PC program to assist with setup of various target MCU peripherals.
Visual project generator Visual project generator for HEW allows for drag and drop of files, visual hierarchy trees and function dependent linkage.
Visual ZigBee sniffer / interface PC program using HTS working with a ZigBee based hardware system to sniff ZigBee data. Could also provide a simple test platform for ZigBee products.
Web browser plug-in / interface An HTS plug-in that could be used by FireFox, IE, etc. to interface web based applications with HTS.
XY translator Provides visual input and output on PC of a target MCU's XY translator. Used with Renesas MCUs containing an X/Y translator peripheral.