Keil C51: How to Get the Best Out of It for 8051 Development - Free Download, Installation, and Optimization
Keil C51: A Powerful Development Tool for 8051 Microcontrollers
If you are working with 8051 microcontrollers, you know how important it is to have a reliable and efficient development tool that can help you create, compile, debug, and test your code. You also know how challenging it can be to find such a tool that is compatible with your device, easy to use, and affordable. That's why you should consider Keil C51, a comprehensive software solution that provides everything you need to develop high-quality applications for 8051 devices.
keil c51 free download full version
What is Keil C51 and why do you need it?
Keil C51 is a set of development tools for the 8051 microcontroller family. It includes a powerful C compiler, a macro assembler, a linker, a librarian, a hex file generator, and a debugger. It also comes with a user-friendly integrated development environment (IDE) called µVision, which allows you to edit, build, and debug your projects in a single environment. Keil C51 supports over 1000 8051 devices from various manufacturers, including Atmel, Cypress, Infineon, NXP, Silicon Labs, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, and more.
You need Keil C51 because it can help you:
Write code faster and easier with the intuitive editor, syntax highlighting, code completion, code templates, and code folding features.
Compile code efficiently with the ANSI-compliant C compiler that supports various extensions and features such as bit-addressable variables, data pointers, memory models, inline assembly, interrupt functions, and more.
Assemble code accurately with the macro assembler that supports all 8051 instructions and directives.
Link code seamlessly with the linker that automatically resolves external references and generates absolute object modules or executable files.
Manage code effectively with the librarian that creates and maintains library files of object modules.
Generate code easily with the hex file generator that converts object files into Intel HEX or Motorola S-record formats.
Debug code thoroughly with the debugger that supports source-level debugging, breakpoints, watchpoints, single-stepping, run-time error checking, memory and register windows, peripheral simulation, serial communication simulation, logic analyzer simulation, performance analysis, code coverage analysis, and more.
Features and benefits of Keil C51
Some of the features and benefits of Keil C51 are:
It is compatible with all 8051 devices and variants.
It supports standard and extended 8051 instruction sets.
It generates compact and fast code that can run on small memory devices.
It offers various optimization options to reduce code size and increase speed.
It provides built-in libraries for math functions, string functions, serial communication functions, LCD functions, etc.
It includes example programs for various applications such as timers, interrupts, ADCs, DACs, PWMs, SPIs, I2Cs , etc.
It supports various debug and trace adapters such as ULINK, ULINK2, ULINKpro, ULINKplus, etc.
It integrates with various evaluation boards and starter kits that can help you test and prototype your applications.
It has a user-friendly and customizable interface that can enhance your productivity and comfort.
It has a comprehensive online help system that can guide you through the features and functions of the tool.
It has a low cost and a flexible licensing scheme that can suit your needs and budget.
How to download and install Keil C51 for free
If you want to try Keil C51 for free, you can download a 30-day evaluation version from the official website. The evaluation version has all the features of the full version, except that it limits the code size to 2 KB and does not support the debug and trace adapters. To download the evaluation version, you need to register on the website and provide some basic information. After that, you will receive an email with a download link and a license number.
To install Keil C51 on your computer, you need to follow these steps:
Download the setup file from the link provided in the email.
Run the setup file and follow the instructions on the screen.
When prompted, enter the license number that you received in the email.
Select the components that you want to install. You can choose to install the µVision IDE, the C51 Compiler, the Assembler, the Linker/Librarian, the Hex File Generator, the Debugger, and the Device Database.
Select the destination folder where you want to install the tool.
Click on Install to start the installation process.
Wait for the installation to complete and click on Finish.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Keil C51 on your computer. You can now launch it from the Start menu or from the desktop shortcut. How to use Keil C51 to create and debug your projects
Now that you have installed Keil C51 on your computer, you are ready to use it to create and debug your projects. In this section, we will show you how to use the main components of the tool: the µVision IDE and Debugger, the C51 Compiler and Assembler, and the ULINK Debug Adaptors and Evaluation Boards.
The µVision IDE and Debugger
The µVision IDE and Debugger is the central component of Keil C51. It is a graphical user interface that allows you to edit, build, and debug your projects in a single environment. You can use it to:
Create and manage your projects using the Project Manager window.
Edit your source files using the Editor window. You can use features such as syntax highlighting, code completion, code templates, code folding, bookmarks, etc. to write code faster and easier.
Build your projects using the Build menu or toolbar. You can see the output messages, errors, and warnings in the Output window.
Debug your projects using the Debug menu or toolbar. You can use features such as breakpoints, watchpoints, single-stepping, run-time error checking, memory and register windows, peripheral simulation, serial communication simulation, logic analyzer simulation, performance analysis, code coverage analysis, and more to debug your code thoroughly.
To start a new project in µVision, you need to follow these steps:
Click on Project -> New uVision Project from the menu bar or click on the New Project icon on the toolbar.
Select a folder where you want to save your project and enter a name for your project file.
Click on Save to create your project file.
Select your target device from the Device Database. You can use the search box or the filter options to find your device quickly.
Click on OK to confirm your device selection.
Add source files to your project using the Project menu or toolbar. You can add existing files or create new files.
Configure your project options using the Project -> Options for Target menu or toolbar. You can set various options for your target device, output file, compiler, assembler, linker, debugger, etc.
Build your project using the Project -> Build Target menu or toolbar. You can see the output messages in the Output window.
Debug your project using the Debug -> Start/Stop Debug Session menu or toolbar. You can see the debugger windows in the Debug mode.
To learn more about how to use µVision IDE and Debugger, you can refer to the online help system or the user guide that comes with Keil C51. The C51 Compiler and Assembler
The C51 Compiler and Assembler are the components of Keil C51 that translate your source code into executable code for your target device. You can use them to:
Write code in C or assembly language, or a combination of both.
Use various extensions and features that are specific to the 8051 architecture, such as bit-addressable variables, data pointers, memory models, inline assembly, interrupt functions, etc.
Use various optimization options to reduce code size and increase speed, such as constant folding, common subexpression elimination, loop optimization, function inlining, register allocation, peephole optimization, etc.
Use built-in libraries for math functions, string functions, serial communication functions, LCD functions, etc.
Use directives and pragmas to control the compiler and assembler behavior, such as include files, macros, conditional compilation, memory allocation, code generation, etc.
To use the C51 Compiler and Assembler, you need to follow these steps:
Write your source code in C or assembly language using the Editor window or any other text editor of your choice.
Save your source files with the appropriate extensions: .c for C files and .a51 for assembly files.
Add your source files to your project using the Project menu or toolbar.
Configure your compiler and assembler options using the Project -> Options for Target menu or toolbar. You can set various options for your target device, output file, compiler, assembler, linker, debugger, etc.
Build your project using the Project -> Build Target menu or toolbar. The compiler and assembler will generate object files (.obj) from your source files and pass them to the linker.
To learn more about how to use the C51 Compiler and Assembler, you can refer to the online help system or the user guide that comes with Keil C51. The ULINK Debug Adaptors and Evaluation Boards
The ULINK Debug Adaptors and Evaluation Boards are the components of Keil C51 that allow you to connect your target device to your computer and debug your code in real time. You can use them to:
Download your code to your target device using the Flash download feature.
Debug your code on your target device using the JTAG or SWD interface.
Trace your code execution and data transfers using the ETM or SWO interface.
Measure your code performance and power consumption using the PowerScale feature.
Test and prototype your applications using the evaluation boards and starter kits that come with various 8051 devices and peripherals.
To use the ULINK Debug Adaptors and Evaluation Boards, you need to follow these steps:
Connect your target device to your computer using the ULINK debug adaptor of your choice. You can choose from ULINK, ULINK2, ULINKpro, or ULINKplus, depending on your device and debugging needs.
Connect your target device to an evaluation board or a starter kit of your choice, if applicable. You can choose from various boards and kits that are compatible with Keil C51 and 8051 devices.
Configure your debug and trace options using the Project -> Options for Target menu or toolbar. You can set various options for your target device, output file, compiler, assembler, linker, debugger, etc.
Build your project using the Project -> Build Target menu or toolbar. The linker will generate an executable file (.axf) from your object files and pass it to the debugger.
Debug your project using the Debug -> Start/Stop Debug Session menu or toolbar. The debugger will download your code to your target device and start the debug session. You can use features such as breakpoints, watchpoints, single-stepping, run-time error checking, memory and register windows, peripheral simulation, serial communication simulation, logic analyzer simulation, performance analysis, code coverage analysis, and more to debug your code thoroughly.
To learn more about how to use the ULINK Debug Adaptors and Evaluation Boards, you can refer to the online help system or the user guide that comes with Keil C51. Configure your compiler options using the Project -> Options for Target menu or toolbar. You can set various options such as code generation, optimization level, optimization goal, etc. You can also use directives and pragmas in your source code to control the compiler behavior.
Configure your assembler options using the Project -> Options for Target menu or toolbar. You can set various options such as code generation, optimization level, optimization goal, etc. You can also use directives and pragmas in your source code to control the assembler behavior.
Configure your linker options using the Project -> Options for Target menu or toolbar. You can set various options such as memory layout, overlay analysis, function grouping, etc. You can also use directives and pragmas in your source code to control the linker behavior.
To learn more about how to use the code optimization options in Keil C51, you can refer to the online help system or the user guide that comes with Keil C51.
Use the built-in libraries and example programs to save time and effort
Keil C51 provides you with a rich set of built-in libraries and example programs that can help you save time and effort when developing your applications. The built-in libraries are collections of pre-written functions that perform common tasks such as math operations, string manipulation, serial communication, LCD display, etc. The example programs are sample applications that demonstrate how to use various features and functions of Keil C51 and 8051 devices.
To use the built-in libraries and example programs in Keil C51, you need to follow these steps:
Find the library or example program that suits your needs. You can browse the library or example program folders in the installation directory of Keil C51, or you can use the View -> Library Reference or View -> Example Programs menu or toolbar to access them.
Add the library or example program to your project using the Project menu or toolbar. You can add existing files or create new files.
Build your project using the Project -> Build Target menu or toolbar. The library or example program will be compiled and linked with your project.
Debug your project using the Debug -> Start/Stop Debug Session menu or toolbar. The library or example program will be downloaded and executed on your target device.
To learn more about how to use the built-in libraries and example programs in Keil C51, you can refer to the online help system or the user guide that comes with Keil C51.
Use the simulation and debugging features to test and troubleshoot your code
Keil C51 offers you a powerful simulation and debugging environment that can help you test and troubleshoot your code before running it on your target device. The simulation and debugging features include:
The µVision Debugger that supports source-level debugging, breakpoints, watchpoints, single-stepping, run-time error checking, memory and register windows, peripheral simulation, serial communication simulation, logic analyzer simulation, performance analysis, code coverage analysis, and more.
The ULINK Debug Adaptors that support JTAG or SWD interface for downloading and debugging your code on your target device.
The ULINK Trace Adaptors that support ETM or SWO interface for tracing your code execution and data transfers on your target device.
The PowerScale feature that measures your code performance and power consumption on your target device.
To use the simulation and debugging features in Keil C51, you need to follow these steps:
Build your project using the Project -> Build Target menu or toolbar. The linker will generate an executable file (.axf) from your object files and pass it to the debugger.
Select your debug mode using the Debug -> Select Driver menu or toolbar. You can choose from Simulator mode (for software simulation), ULINK mode (for hardware debugging), ULINKpro mode (for hardware debugging and tracing), ULINKplus mode (for hardware debugging, tracing, and power measurement), etc.
Debug your project using the Debug -> Start/Stop Debug Session menu or toolbar. The debugger will start the debug session in the selected mode. You can use features such as breakpoints, watchpoints, single-stepping, run-time error checking, memory and register windows, peripheral simulation, serial communication simulation, logic analyzer simulation, performance analysis , code coverage analysis, and more to debug your code thoroughly.
To learn more about how to use the simulation and debugging features in Keil C51, you can refer to the online help system or the user guide that comes with Keil C51.
Conclusion
Keil C51 is a powerful development tool for 8051 microcontrollers that can help you create, compile, debug, and test your code with ease and efficiency. It offers you a comprehensive software solution that includes a user-friendly IDE, a reliable C compiler, a macro assembler, a linker, a librarian, a hex file generator, a debugger, and more. It also supports various debug and trace adapters and evaluation boards that can help you connect and debug your code on your target device. It also provides you with various features and options that can help you optimize your code and performance. It also comes with a rich set of built-in libraries and example programs that can help you save time and effort.
If you are looking for a development tool for 8051 microcontrollers that can meet your needs and expectations, you should consider Keil C51. You can download a 30-day evaluation version from the official website and try it for free. You can also purchase a full version with a flexible licensing scheme that can suit your budget. You can also access the online help system or the user guide that can guide you through the features and functions of the tool.
We hope that this article has given you an overview of Keil C51 and how to use it to create and debug your projects. We hope that you will find it useful and helpful for your development work. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Keil C51:
What are the system requirements for Keil C51?
Keil C51 requires a Windows PC with at least 1 GB of RAM and 1 GB of disk space. It also requires an internet connection for downloading, installing, and activating the tool.
What are the differences between Keil C51 and other development tools for 8051 microcontrollers?
Keil C51 is different from other development tools for 8051 microcontrollers in several ways, such as:
It supports over 1000 8051 devices from various manufacturers.
It generates compact and fast code that can run on small memory devices.
It offers various optimization options to reduce code size and increase speed.
It provides built-in libraries for math functions, string functions, serial communication functions, LCD functions, etc.
It integrates with various debug and trace adapters and evaluation boards that can help you test and prototype your applications.
It has a user-friendly and customizable interface that can enhance your productivity and comfort.
It has a low cost and a flexible licensing scheme that can suit your needs and budget.
How can I get support for Keil C51?
You can get support for Keil C51 by using the following resources:
The online help system that comes with Keil C51.
The user guide that comes with Keil C51.
The official website of Keil C51 that provides product information, downloads, updates, documentation, tutorials, videos, forums, etc.
The technical support team o