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Plug It In
Let's take your FRDM-KEA for a test drive! You have the choice of watching a short setup video or following the detailed actions listed below.
Get Started with FRDM-KEA Development Platform
1.1 Attach the USB Cable
1.2 Run the Out-of-Box Demo
Your FRDM-KEA comes pre-loaded with two code example projects. The first demo is a blinking LED with interactivity using on board potentiometer. When the potentiometer is turned the LED will blink faster and then switch colors. The second demo is selected by pressing the user button which uses the ADC and Potentiometer to dim and increase brightness of LED.
1.3 Review FRDM-KEA Quick Start Guide (QSG) for Detailed Setup and the Software Integration Guide for Instructions on How to Create a Project in S32DS
Open the FRDM-KEA QSG and Software Integration Guide for S32 Design Studio.
Get Software
2.1 Jump Start Your Design by getting started with Quick Start Guide and Software Integration Guide within Quick Start Package
2.2 Install Your Toolchain
NXP offers a complimentary toolchain called S32 Design Studio (S32DS). KEA is also supported by complimentarty toolchain called Kinetis Design Studio (KDS).
2.3 PC Configuration
Many of the example applications output data over the MCU UART so you'll want to make sure that the driver for the boards virtual COM port is installed. It should install automatically when you plug the board in to your PC.
With the serial port driver installed, run your favorite terminal application to view the serial output from the MCU's UART. Configure the terminal to 115200 baud rate, 8 data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit. To determine the port number of the FRDM-KEA'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:
Tera Term Tutorial
Tera Term is a very popular open source terminal emulation application. This program can be used to display information sent from your NXP development platform's virtual serial port.
- Download Tera Term from SourceForge. After the download, run the installer and then return to this webpage to continue.
- Launch Tera Term. The first time it launches, it will show you the following dialog. Select the serial option. Assuming your board is plugged in, there should be a COM port automatically populated in the list.
- Configure the serial port settings (using the COM port number identified earlier) to 115200 baud rate, 8 data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit. To do this, go to Setup -> Serial Port and change the settings.
- Verify that the connection is open. If connected, Tera Term will show something like below in it's title bar.
- You're ready to go
PuTTY Tutorial
PuTTY is a popular terminal emulation application. This program can be used to display information sent from your NXP development platform's virtual serial port.
- Download PuTTY using the button below. After the download, run the installer and then return to this webpage to continue.
- Launch PuTTY by either double clicking on the *.exe file you downloaded or from the Start menu, depending on the type of download you selected.
- Configure In the window that launches, select the Serial radio button and enter the COM port number that you determined earlier. Also enter the baud rate, in this case 115200.
- Click Open to open the serial connection. Assuming the board is connected and you entered the correct COM port, the terminal window will open. If the configuration is not correct, PuTTY will alert you.
- You're ready to go
Build, Run
Learn how to create a new project in S32 Design Studio and the basics to create your own code by running an easy example code.
GetCreate an application for the FRDM-KEA
3.1 Create a new project in S32 Design Studio
Follow the steps to create a new project in your workspace and load the configuration for your target device.
3.2 Create, build and run your application
Create a hello world code within minutes and watch it working in your FRDM-KEA board. Check the details in this video and you'll be flashing your board in few minutes.