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Getting started with a new development platform or setting up a prototype is easier these days with development kits and sensor modules. Still, lots of software configuration is required before one can focus on the main application software. Renesas's latest cloud-based tool is designed to make this job easier. Brad Rex, Senior Marketing Manager for Global Systems & Solutions, gave me a quick introduction and demo of Quick Connect Studio (see above).
The Quick Connect Studio is a web-based system that works with the company's Quick Connect IoT and evaluation kits (EKs) like the EK-RA2e1 board (see figure). The board has expansion connectors for Arduino, mikroBus, Grove, Qwiic and Pmods in addition to a header that exposes all of the chip's pins.
All of these peripheral connections are great since they provide easy integration with a plethora of sensors, switches, and other devices that can plug into the board. The challenge is that each peripheral requires its own interface software. This is where the drag-and-drop Quick Connect Studio comes into play. Developers can select from available devices and configure the board virtually. All driver software is added to a project that can then be compiled.
The projects created using Quick Connect Studio also can be downloaded and utilized with the free, native E Squared Studio (e2 studio) Eclipse-based IDE. These tools support the range of Renesas microcontrollers and processors.