Getting Started with i.MX RT600 Evaluation Kit

Last Modified: 2020-02-06 15:13:00Supports i.MX RT600 Evaluation Kit

1. Plug It In

Let's take your MIMXRT685-EVK for a test drive. You have the choice of watching a series of short videos at the beginning of each section or following the detailed instructions outlined below each video.

1.1 Get Familiar with the Board

Getting Started MIMXRT685-EVK get familiar

Getting Started MIMXRT685-EVK get familiar

1.2 Attach the USB Cable

There are three micro USB connectors on the board. Plug the USB cable into the one labeled "Link USB" (J5), as shown below.

Getting started MIMXRT685-EVK Attach the cable

Getting started MIMXRT685-EVK Attach the cable

1.3 Run the Out-of-Box Demo

Your MIMXRT685-EVK comes loaded with a "LED blinky" demo, explained below and a demo that exercises the Cortex M33 and the HiFi4 DSP, described in the next section.

When the board is powered, the red LED D9 should flash on and off.

Getting Sarted - MIMXRT685-EVK-OUT-OF-BOX

Getting Sarted - MIMXRT685-EVK-OUT-OF-BOX

The second part of this out of the box demo will be shown in the application note.

2. Get Software

2.1 Installing Software for MIMXRT685-EVK

2.2 Jump Start Your Design with the MCUXpresso SDK

The MCUXpresso software development kit (SDK) is complimentary and includes full source code under a permissive open-source license for all hardware abstraction and peripheral driver software.

Click below to download a pre-configured SDK release for the MIMXRT685-EVK.

Unzip the SDK into a directory path that does not contain any spaces.

Want to learn about SDK.

Get MCUXpresso SDK

You can also use the online SDK Builder to create a custom SDK package for the MIMXRT685-EVK using the SDK builder.

2.3 Install Your 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 MCUXpresso Config Tools

The MCUXpresso Config Tool is an integrated suite of configuration tools that guides users in creating new MCUXpresso SDK projects, and also provides pin and clock tools to generate initialization C code for custom board support. It is already fully integrated as a part of MCUXpressoIDE, but you can also download it as a separate tool if you are using a different.

Get MCUXpresso Config Tools

2.5 LPCScrypt

Drivers for the debugger and virtual COM port also need to be installed. They are part of the LPCScrypt package, which can be downloaded below. The LPC-Link2 circuit firmware will also need to be updated to use the J-Link interface, which is described in the tutorial below.

2.6 Serial Terminal

Many of the MCUXpresso SDK example applications output data over the MCU UART. Install and configure your preferred terminal software to 115200 baud rate, 8 data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit. To determine the port number of the MIMXRT685-EVK's virtual COM port, open the device manager and look under the "Ports" group.

Not sure how to use a terminal application? Try one of these tutorials: MCUXpresso IDE Terminal Tutorial, Tera Term Tutorial, PuTTY Tutorial.

2.7 J-Link

You will need to download the necessary J-Link drivers in order to debug the HiFi4 DSP. Follow the next tutorial to see how to download and install this software.

2.8 Install Xtensa Xplorer IDE and Tools

To code and debug the DSP on the MIMXRT685-EVK, you'll need to download Cadence Tensilica Xplorer. This is the only available development IDE for the DSP core of MIMXRT600.

3. Build, Run

3.1 Build and Run SDK Demo on the MIMXRT685-EVK

3.2 Explore the MCUXpresso SDK Example Code

The MCUXpresso SDK comes with a long list of example applications code. To see what's available, navigate to the SDK boards folder of your SDK installation and select MIMXRT685-EVK.

<SDK_Install_Directory>/boards/evkmimxrt685.

To learn more about specific example code, open the readme.txt file in an example's directory.

3.3 Building and Debugging MCUXpresso SDK Examples

If one or more of the demo applications or driver examples sounds interesting, you can learn how to build and debug a demo yourself. The Getting Started with SDK guide provides easy, step-by-step instructions on how to configure, build and debug demos for all toolchains supported by the SDK.

Use the guides below to learn how to open, build and debug an example application using the MCUXpresso IDE.

4. Modify an SDK Example

4.1 Create an Application for MIMXRT685-EVK

4.2 Clone an Example Project From MCUXpresso SDK

Option A: Use the MCUXpresso IDE to clone an example project.

Option B: Use the MCUXpresso Config Tool to clone an existing MCUXpresso SDK example for use with third party IDEs.

4.3 Use the Pin Tool

Now, let's use the Pins tool that is part of the MCUXpresso Config Tools to change the LED that is blinking to a different LED.

4.4 Use the Clocks Tool

Next use the Clocks tool that is part of the MCUXpresso Config Tool to change the clock settings and change the rate that the LED blinks.

4.5 Success

With the application modified, you will see the MIMXRT685-EVK blue LED blinking.

5. Learn

5.1 Sensors

Explore the world with a full assortment of NXP sensor solutions. From accelerometers, pressure sensors, touch sensors and many more, NXP has a sensor solution for your project. Find out more at NXP sensor solutions.

5.2 NFC

Near Field Communication is a simple, intuitive technology that lets you interact securely with the world around you with a simple touch. Learn more about NXP's NFC solutions at Near Field Communication (NFC).

5.3 RT and MCUXpresso Communities

Connect with other engineers and get expert advice on designing with i.MX processors and MCUXpresso software and tools. Join the community discussion in one of our two dedicated communities: i.MX RT community or MCUXpresso Software and Tools Community.

5.4 Wi-Fi®

Getting Started with NXP Wi-Fi Modules Using the i.MX RT platform - Let's take your Wi-Fi module for a test drive. This guide uses the Wi-Fi modules and i.MX RT platforms.

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