7. Software Development Tools

7.1. Introduction

Renesas e²Studio is the Integrated Development Environment for Renesas embedded microcontrollers. e²Studio is based on the industry-standard open-source Eclipse IDE framework and the C/C++ Development Tooling (CDT) project, covering build (editor, compiler, and linker control) and debug phases with an extended GNU Debug (GDB) interface support.

All Renesas BLE Development boards have an on-board J-Link debugger from SEGGER. This offers standard debug capabilities such as single stepping, setting breakpoints, software download and many more. For more details on the debugger capabilities, visit https://www.segger.com/.

7.2. System Requirements

Hardware Environment:

Processor: x64-based processor, at least 2GHz (support hyper-threading/multi-core CPU)
Main Memory: At least 4GB, recommended 8GB of free memory space.
Hard disk Capacity*: At least 2GB of free space
Display: Resolution at least 1,024 x 768; at least 65,536 colors
Interface: USB 2.0 (High-speed/Full-speed). High-speed is recommended.

  • Windows
  • Linux

Supported OS: Windows 10 and Windows 11 (64-bit edition).

Supported OS: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Desktop (64-bit version). Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Desktop (64-bit version)

Note

Supported features of Linux versions are different from Windows versions. Please refer to the Release Note for details.

7.3. Installation

e²studio Installation

The installation procedure outlined below is based on e²Studio 2025-04.1 Release. The same procedure applies to newer versions of e²Studio.

  1. Download the Renesas e²studio (V2025-12 or newer) software from Renesas Website

  2. Run the installation file.

  3. In the Select Install Type page, select Custom Install, then click Next.

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Figure 13 Installation - Select Install Type

  1. In the Welcome page, you may use the default folder or change it by clicking [Change…]. Click Next to continue.

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Figure 14 Installation - Welcome page

  1. In the Device Families page choose DA (Dialog)

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Figure 15 Installation - Device Families

  1. In the Additional Software page, select the GNU ARM Embedded 7.3.1 201824 to be installed, then click Next. This page is not shown if you selected Quick Install.

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Figure 16 Installation - Additional Software

Note

If you have already installed e²Studio without GCC 7 tools, then please download and install the GCC 7 tools separately from github

  1. Tick the checkbox to accept the license agreement, then click Next to continue.

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Figure 17 Installation - Software Agreements

  1. In the Shortcuts page, select the shortcut name for the start menu and click Next button to continue.

Note

If you already have installed e²Studio in another location, renaming this installation is recommended to distinguish it from the other e²Studio(s).

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Figure 18 Installation - Shortcuts

  1. Check the Summary and click Install to continue.

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Figure 19 Installation - Summary

  1. Installing… The installation starts. Depending on the items selected in the “Addition Software” dialog, new dialogs may open to proceed with the installation of these software packages.

  2. When the installation completes the Results page is shown. Click OK to proceed.

7.4. Package structure and Folders

The directory structure of the SDK is shown in Figure 20.

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Figure 20 Software SDK Directory Structure (on Windows)

7.5. Additional Software

The SmartSnippets™ Toolbox, Figure 21, is focused on enabling the process of programming flash and optimizing code for optimal power performance by allowing:

  • The re-programming of the QSPI flash with the actual application compiled image.

  • An accurate examination of the power profile and the effects of any executed application software.

  • The seamless download and execution of a certain software image to RAM over UART.

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Figure 21 SmartSnippets™ Toolbox : Various Mode Views

SmartSnippets™ Toolbox is also supported by other utilities such as the Command Line Interface (CLI) Programmer. The CLI Programmer is a command line tool for programming the DA1469x family of devices. It allows erasing and programming the device Flash or OTP memory. This tool may be used both in development and on the production line. The CLI Programmer will be installed as an integrated part of the DA1469x SDK.

The SmartSnippets™ framework makes maximum use of the available features on the main board like the on board current sensing circuitry to allow developers of Bluetooth applications to work without expensive and bulky equipment such as a DC Power Analyzer (Keysight). The tool provides full visibility on the chip activity, which is crucial in the developing of ultra-low power wireless applications.