What is an Assembler?

An assembler is a program that translates symbolic code (assembly language) into executable object code. This object code can be executed with a 80C51-compatible microcontroller. If you have ever written a computer program directly in machine-recognizable form, such as binary or hexadecimal code, you will appreciate the advantages of programming in symbolic assembly language. Assembly language operation codes (mnemonics) are easily remembered (MOV for move instructions, ADD for addition, and so on). You can also symbolically express addresses and values referenced in the operand field of instructions. Because you assign these names, you can make them as meaningful as the mnemonics for the instructions. For example, if your program must manipulate a date as data, you can assign it the symbolic name DATE. If your program contains a set of instructions used as a timing loop (executed repeatedly until a specific amount of time has passed), you can name the instruction group TIMER_LOOP. An assembly program has three parts:

Machine instructions - Code the machine can execute. Detailed discussion of the machine instructions is in the hardware manuals of the 80C51 microcontroller. Assembler directives - Define the program structure and symbols, and generate non executable code (data, messages, and so on.). Assembler controls - Set assembly modes and direct assembly flow.

Vision3 Overview
The Vision3 IDE is a Windows-based software development platform that combines a robust editor, project manager, and make facility. Vision3 integrates all tools including the C compiler, macro assembler, linker/locator, and HEX file generator. Vision3 helps expedite the development process of your embedded applications by providing the following:

Full-featured source code editor, Device database for configuring the development tool setting, Project manager for creating and maintaining your projects, Integrated make facility for assembling, compiling, and linking your embedded applications, Dialogs for all development tool settings, True integrated source-level Debugger with high-speed CPU and peripheral simulator, Advanced GDI interface for software debugging in the target hardware and for connection to Keil ULINK, Flash programming utility for downloading the application program into Flash ROM, Links to development tools manuals, device datasheets & users guides.

The Vision3 IDE offers numerous features and advantages that help you quickly and successfully develop embedded applications. They are easy to use and are guaranteed to help you achieve your design goals. The Vision3 IDE and Debugger is the central part of the Keil development toolchain. Vision3 offers a Build Mode and a Debug Mode. In the Vision3 Build Mode you maintain the project files and generate the application. In the Vision3 Debug Mode you verify your program either with a powerful CPU and peripheral simulator or with the Keil ULINK USB-JTAG Adapter (or other AGDI drivers) that connect the debugger to the target system. The ULINK allows you also to download your application into Flash ROM of your target system.

Features and Benefits

Feature The Vision3 Simulator is the only debugger that completely simulates all on-chip peripherals. Simulation capabilities may be expanded using the Advanced Simulation Interface (AGSI). The Code Coverage feature of the Vision3 Simulator provides statistical analysis of your programs execution. The Vision3 Device Database automatically configures the development tools for the target microcontroller. Benefit Write and test application code before production hardware is available. Investigate different hardware configurations to optimize the hardware design. Sophisticated systems can be accurately simulated by adding your own peripheral drivers.

Safety-critical systems can be thoroughly tested and validated. Execution analysis reports can be viewed and printed for certification requirements. Mistakes in tool settings are practically eliminated and tool configuration time is minimized.

The Vision3 IDE integrates additional third- Quickly access development tools and third-party tools. party tools like VCS, CASE, and All configuration details are saved in the Vision3 project. FLASH/Device Programming. The ULINK USB-JTAG Adapter supports both Debugging and Flash programming with configurable algorithm files. Identical Target Debugger and Simulator User Interface. Vision3 incorporates project manager, editor, and debugger in a single environment. The same tool can be used for debugging and programming. No extra configuration time required.

Shortens your learning curve.

Accelerates application development. While editing, you may configure debugger features. While debugging, you may make source code modifications.

About the Environment

The Vision3 screen provides you with a menu bar for command entry, a tool bar where you can rapidly select command buttons, and windows for source files, dialog boxes, and information displays. Vision3 lets you simultaneously open and view multiple source files. Vision3 has two operating modes:

Build Mode: Allows you to translate all the application files and to generate executable programs. The features of the Build Mode are described under Creating Applications. Debug Mode: Provides you with a powerful debugger for testing your application. The Debug Mode is described in Testing Programs.

In both operating modes you may use the source editor of Vision3 to modify your source code. The Debug mode adds additional windows and stores an own screen layout. The following picture shows a typical configuration of Vision3 in the Debug Mode.

Software Development Cycle

When you use the Keil Vision, the project development cycle is roughly the same as it is for any other software development project. 1. 2. Create a project, select the target chip from the device database, and configure the tool settings. Create source files in C or assembly.

3. 4. 5.

Build your application with the project manager. Correct errors in source files. Test the linked application.

The following block diagram illustrates the complete Vision/ARM software development cycle. Each component is described below.

Vision IDE
The Vision IDE combines project management, a rich-featured editor with interactive error correction, option setup, make facility, and on-line help. Use Vision to create your source files and organize them into a project that defines your target application. Vision automatically compiles, assembles, and links your embedded application and provides a single focal point for your development efforts.

C51 Compiler & A51 Macro Assembler

Source files are created by the Vision IDE and are passed to the C51 Compiler or A51 Macro Assembler. The compiler and assembler process source files and create relocatable object files. The Keil C51 Compiler is a full ANSI implementation of the C programming language that supports all standard features of the C language. In addition, numerous features for direct support of the 8051 architecture have been added. The Keil A51 macro assembler supports the complete instruction set of the 8051 and all derivatives.

LIB51 Library Manager

The LIB51 library manager allows you to create object library from the object files created by the compiler and assembler. Libraries are specially formatted, ordered program collections of object modules that may be used by the linker at a later time. When the linker processes a library, only those object modules in the library that are necessary to create the program are used.

BL51 Linker/Locator
The BL51 Linker/Locator creates an absolute ELF/DWARF file using the object modules extracted from libraries and those created by the compiler and assembler. An absolute object file or module contains no relocatable code or data. All code and data reside at fixed memory locations. The absolute ELF/DWARF file may be used:

To program an Flash ROM or other memory devices, With the Vision Debugger for simulation and target debugging, With an in-circuit emulator for the program testing.

Vision Debugger
The Vision symbolic, source-level debugger is ideally suited for fast, reliable program debugging. The debugger includes a high-speed simulator that let you simulate an entire 8051 system including onchip peripherals and external hardware. The attributes of the chip you use are automatically configured when you select the device from the Device Database. The Vision Debugger provides several ways for you to test your programs on real target hardware.

Install the MON51 Target monitor on your target system and download your program using the Monitor-51 interface built-in to the Vision Debugger. Use the Advanced GDI interface to attach use the Vision Debugger front end with your target system.