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Code Composer Studio
Code Composer Studio
Code Composer Studio
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Code Composer Studio
DeveloperTexas Instruments
Initial release1999; 26 years ago (1999)
Stable release
20.3.1 / 29 September 2025; 48 days ago (2025-09-29)[1]
Operating systemWindows, Linux and macOS
PlatformIA-32 (deprecated) and x86-64
Available in1 languages
List of languages
English (United States)
TypeIntegrated Development Environment
LicenseTSPA[2]
Websiteti.com/ccstudio

Code Composer Studio (CCStudio or CCS) is an integrated development environment for developing applications for Texas Instruments embedded processors.

Texas Instruments embedded processors include TMS320 DSPs, OMAP system-on-a-chip, DaVinci system-on-a-chip, Sitara applications processors, Hercules microcontrollers, Simplelink MCUs (MSP432 and other Wireless connectivity[3] microcontrollers), MSP430 and Tiva/Stellaris microcontrollers. It also enables debugging on several subsystems such as Ducati,[4] IVA Accelerator[5] and PRU-ICSS.[6]

Code Composer Studio is primarily designed for embedded project design and low-level (baremetal) JTAG based debugging. Versions 4.0 to 12.8 are based on the Eclipse open source IDE, which can be easily extended to include support for OS level application debug (Linux, Android, Windows Embedded) and open source compiler suites such as GCC. Starting with Version 20 in December 2024, CCS is based on the Eclipse Theia platform and IDE.[7]

Early versions included a real time kernel called DSP/BIOS and its later inception SYS/BIOS. Currently, the successor to these tools, the TI-RTOS embedded tools ecosystem, is available for downloading as a free plugin to Code Composer Studio.

History

[edit]

Code Composer Studio was first developed under the name Code Composer by the software company GO DSP, located in Toronto, Canada, which was acquired by Texas Instruments in 1997.[8] Integration with DSP/BIOS was added to Code Composer, and Code Composer was rebranded as Code Composer Studio.[citation needed]

CCS releases up until 3.3 were based on a proprietary interface. TI developed a new IDE based on the open-source Eclipse, named Code Composer Essentials (CCE), that was designed for the MSP430 line of microcontrollers. Beginning with release 4.0, all new versions of CCS would also use an interface based upon Eclipse.

Code Composer was originally developed for DSP development and featured graphical visualization tools (XY graphs, FFT magnitude and phase, constellation, raw image visualization) and support for visualizing memory in several numeric formats (decimal, floating-point).[citation needed]

In 2015, a cloud computing version of CCS was introduced and is part of the suite TI Cloud Tools, which also hosts Resource Explorer and Pinmux.

Versions

[edit]

Code Composer

[edit]
  • 4.10 (latest version in 2001). Supported all TMS320 DSPs at that time: C2x, C24x, C3x, C4x, C5x, C54x and C6x. The version for C3x/C4x is still sold by Texas Instruments' partner Spectrum Digital.[9] Support varied through the years, initially Windows 95, NT4 and 98, with the latest release supporting 2000 and XP.

Code Composer Studio

[edit]
  • 1.x (1999). General release that dropped support for C2x, C3x, C4x and C5x DSPs. v1.3 added support for ARM.[10] Supports Windows 95, 98, 98SE, NT4 and 2000, as well as Sun Solaris 2.6, 2.7 and 8.
  • 2.0 (2001). General release that added support for the upcoming C55x and C64x DSPs. Across the years it added support for TMS470 ARM7 (2.10), OMAP ARM9 plus C55x DSP (2.10) and C2x DSPs (2.12). Supports Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 and XP.
  • 3.0 (2005). Limited release that supported only C62x, C64x and C67x DSPs. Supports Windows 2000 and XP.
  • 3.1 (2005). General release. Supports Windows 2000 and XP.
  • 3.2 (2006). Limited release that supported only the new C64x+ DSPs. Supports Windows 2000 and XP.
  • 3.3 (2006). General release that supported all device families, and across the years it added support for OMAP Cortex A8 plus C64x+ DSP, TMS570 (ARM Cortex R4), C672x and C674x DSPs (3.3.82). A limited version for C24x DSPs only is still sold by TI.[11] Supports Windows 2000 and XP.
  • 4.0 (2009). General release based on a modified version of Eclipse 3.2. Dropped support for C24x DSPs and added support for MSP430, Stellaris (ARM Cortex M3) and DaVinci devices. Adds support for SYSBIOS and its updated debug components (ROV, Execution Graph) while keeping support for DSP/BIOS legacy debug components (RTA, LOG_Printf). Supports Windows XP, Vista and 7. Release 4.2 introduced the Grace plug-in and SYSBIOS for MSP430 devices.
  • 5.0 (2010). General release that uses an unmodified version of Eclipse 3.6 and later 3.7. It was hosted also in Linux. Added support for C66x DSPs, Sitara (ARM9 and Cortex A8) and Tiva (ARM Cortex M4) devices. Supports Windows XP and 7. Release 5.3 implements a completely reworked Trace interface as well as version 2.0 of Grace.
  • 6.0 (2014). General release that uses an unmodified version of Eclipse 4.3. Added support for CC26x and CC32x wireless microcontrollers. Dropped support for C54x DSPs. Supports Windows XP, 7 and 8.x.
  • 6.1 (2015). General release that uses an unmodified version of Eclipse 4.4. Introduced beta support for Mac OS X. Added support for CC25x and MSP432 (the introductory Mac version supports only MSP devices). Supports Windows XP, 7 and 8.x.
  • 6.1.1 Added support for SimpleLink™ CC26xx and CC13xx MCU platform of devices. Added support for automatic firmware update for XDS110. Added OS X platform support for CCS for MCU devices (Beta). Improved EnergyTrace tool for profiling application's energy consumption, battery lifetime, monitoring internal device states and determining execution hotspots (statistical function profile).
  • 6.1.2 Bug fixes. First OS X released to the public in Beta. Last version that supports the Grace plug-in.
  • 6.1.3 Integration with Eclipse v4.5.1 and CDT 8.7. Added support for OS X for MCU devices. Support for GCC for MSP430. Improved Cortex A15 SM debug support. Improved EnergyTrace tool for profiling application's energy consumption, battery lifetime, monitoring internal device states and determining execution hotspots (statistical function profile).
  • 6.2.0 (2016). First 64-bit version for Linux (Windows still 32-bit). Beta release of the online Resource Explorer.
  • 7.0.0 (2016). Integration with Eclipse 4.6 with CDT 9.0 and JRE 8. First release that is free of charge and without limitations for all devices and Debug Probes. Production release of the online Resource Explorer. Dropped support for Windows XP and the Stellaris devices.
  • 7.1.0 (2016). Bug fixes. Added support for EnergyTrace HDR (High Dynamic Range) for Simplelink MCUs. Beta version of ROV2.
  • 7.2.0 (2017). Bug fixes. Production version of ROV2.
  • 7.3.0 (2017). Bug fixes.
  • 7.4.0 (2017). Bug fixes and other updates including device support.
  • 8.1.0 (2018). Bug fixes.
  • 8.2.0 (2018). Bug fixes and other updates including device support.
  • 8.3.0 (2018). Bug fixes.
  • 8.3.1 (2019). Bug fixes.
  • 9.0.0 (2019). Supported only on 64bit Windows machines. Bug fixes and other updates including device support.
  • 9.0.1 (2019). Bug fixes and other updates including device support.
  • 9.1.0 (2019). Bug fixes and other updates including device support.
  • 9.2.0 (2019). Bug fixes and other updates including device support.
  • 9.3.0 (2019). Bug fixes Mac OS installers are now distributed.
  • 10.0.0 (2020). Bug fixes. General Enhancements(compiler/IDE/Debugger).
  • 10.1.0 (2020). Bug fixes.
  • 10.1.1 (2020). Bug fixes.
  • 10.2.0 (2021). Bug fixes.
  • 10.3.0 (2021). Bug fixes.
  • 10.3.1 (2021). Bug fixes.
  • 10.4.0 (2021). Bug fixes.
  • 11.0.0 (2021). Bug fixes. General Enhancements(compiler/IDE/Debugger).
  • 11.1.0 (2021). Bug fixes.
  • 11.2.0 (2022). Bug fixes.
  • 12.0.0 (2022). Bug fixes. General Enhancements(compiler/IDE/Debugger).
  • 12.1.0 (2022). Bug fixes.
  • 12.2.0 (2023). Bug fixes.
  • 12.3.0 (2023). Bug fixes.
  • 12.4.0 (2023). Bug fixes.
  • 12.5.0 (2023). Bug fixes. General Enhancements(compiler/IDE/Debugger).
  • 12.6.0 (2024). Bug fixes.
  • 12.7.0 (2024). Bug fixes.
  • 12.7.1 (2024). Bug fixes.
  • 12.8.0 (2024). Bug fixes.
  • 12.8.1 (2024). Bug fixes.
  • 20.0.0 (2024). First version of Code Composer Studio based on the Theia IDE.
  • 20.0.1 (2024). Maintenance release for 20.0.0, with enhancements and bug fixes.
  • 20.0.2 (2025). Maintenance release based on 20.0.1, with various enhancements and bug fixes.
  • 20.1.0 (2025). Improved startup on macOS versions with ARM processors. Added support for various devices and updated the CLANG compiler.
  • 20.1.1 (2025). Maintenance release for 20.1.0, fixing bugs and adding debug enhancements.
  • 20.2.0 (2025). Theia IDE core update, and added AI features accessible through Theia AI or 3rd-party extensions. Added various debug, IDE, and project enhancements. Added support for various API's, updated compilers, and Device Support.
  • 20.3.0 (2025). Added IDE enhancements, including support for aligning address boundary settings and Python scripting. Added support for multiple new devices. Added a secure debug manager for CC27xx devices.

CCS Cloud

[edit]
  • 1.0 (2015). General release that adds support for all MSP430, MSP432 and Tiva C device families.
  • 1.1 (2015). General release that adds debug capabilities for all devices above. Added CC2650 device support.
  • 1.6 (2017). General release with bug fixes.

Licensing

[edit]

Over the years, CCS followed the trend of the software industry for reduced and free-of-charge software licensing, reflected across the releases:

  • CCS releases up to 2.x were separated per device family, i.e., every device family required the purchase of a separate license and a separate software Each license's SRP was US$3,600.00 (apart from release 2.3, which was about US$4,500.00)
  • Starting with releases 3.x, all device families were included in the same license (then called Platinum). The license's SRP was the same (US$3,600.00). There was a C2x-only limited license that retailed for US$600.00.
  • Starting with release 4.x, CCS can be used for free in several scenarios that include development boards, software device simulators and even the use of a standalone emulator named XDS100.[12] Also, it can be used with a code size limitation of 16kB on MSP430 devices. This release also introduced the floating license, which can be installed on a server and be used across a company's or university's Intranet at almost the cost of a full license.
    • A full license for CCS release 4.x had an SRP of US$1,995.00 and a microcontroller-only license was US$495.00. This microcontroller license covered all MSP430, Stellaris and C2x devices.
    • A full license for CCS releases 5.x and 6.x has an SRP of US$495.00 and the microcontroller-only license ceased to exist.[13]
    • Starting in September 2016, the floating license model ceased to exist.
    • For CCS release 7.x the paid license ceased to exist. The software and all its components are distributed with a TSPA license.[2]
      • The free license model was also retrofitted to all public CCS releases since v4.

For all releases an annual paid subscription fee was required to grant updates for upcoming major releases.

  • Starting in August 2015, the concept of subscription fee ceased to exist.

JTAG Debug probe support

[edit]

Historically CCS supported only JTAG debug probes from TI - also called XDS emulators.[14] The XDS510-class and the more advanced XDS560-class emulators are supported across all releases, but the new low-cost XDS100-class emulator started to be supported starting with the latest patches to release 3.3.[15]

Releases 4.x added support for an updated design of the existing XDS100-class emulator (called XDS100v2) and, in release 4.2, added support for an updated design of the XDS560-class emulator (called XDS560v2).[15][16]

Release 5.2 added support for the new XDS200-class emulators.[17]

Up until release 4.x, CCS supported only XDS emulators. With the integration of MSP430 and Stellaris microcontrollers, support was added for their respective JTAG debug probes: MSP-FET430 (both parallel and USB versions) and ICDI.[16]

Release 5.x also saw the introduction of Beta support for J-Link JTAG debug probes from Segger.[18]

Release 6.0.x saw the introduction of the new MSP-FET debug probe for MSP430 devices[19] and the new XDS200-class[20] of debug probes for processors.

Release 6.1.x saw the introduction of the new XDS110-class[21] of debug probes for processors. It also saw the migration to full production support for J-Link JTAG debug probes from Segger.[18]

Release 7.x saw the integration of J-Link JTAG debug probes from Segger[18] directly in the CCS installer. It is also the first release to support the standalone version of XDS110.[21]

64-bit releases do not support Spectrum Digital XDS510USB JTAG debuggers.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Code Composer Studio

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Code Composer Studio (CCS) is an (IDE) developed by for creating and debugging applications on its microcontrollers, digital signal processors, and other embedded processors. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools, including an optimizing C/C++ compiler, , project build environment, , and profiler, all integrated into a single platform. Available for Windows, , and macOS operating systems, CCS supports development for a wide range of TI devices, such as Arm-based microcontrollers (MCUs), MSP430 low-power MCUs, C2000 real-time MCUs, and digital signal processors (DSPs). A cloud-based version is also offered through the TI Developer Zone for remote access and collaboration. Originally released in the early , CCS evolved from a proprietary interface in versions up to 3.x, which focused on TI's optimized compilers and real-time analysis tools for embedded development. Starting with version 4 in 2009, it transitioned to an -based framework, enhancing extensibility and compatibility with open-source standards while retaining TI-specific optimizations for code size and performance. Since version 7 in 2016, CCS has been offered as a free tool under the TI Single Tool Suite Agreement (TSPA), broadening accessibility for developers. In recent releases, such as the v20 series with version 20.3.1 from September 2025, CCS has shifted to the framework, providing a modern, VS Code-like interface with improved usability, scripting, and automation features like SysConfig for peripheral configuration and EnergyTrace for . Key benefits of CCS include simplified workflow for ultra-low-power and high-performance applications, support for advanced debugging via and SWD interfaces, and integration with TI's ecosystem tools like the Resource Explorer for examples and documentation. It enables developers to optimize embedded systems for industries such as automotive, industrial, and , ensuring compatibility across TI's portfolio of over 10,000 device variants.

Overview

Purpose and Scope

Code Composer Studio (CCS) is an (IDE) developed by for the development of applications targeting its microcontrollers and processors. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools that facilitate the design, coding, building, debugging, and optimization of projects. The primary purposes of CCS include enabling bare-metal application development as well as OS-level programming for systems such as and Android on supported TI hardware. It emphasizes low-level debugging capabilities, particularly through JTAG-based connections, allowing developers to interact directly with hardware for real-time analysis and troubleshooting. These features make it suitable for creating efficient firmware and applications in resource-constrained environments. CCS targets firmware developers and embedded engineers working with devices, including digital signal processors (DSPs), MSP430 microcontrollers, and Sitara ARM-based processors. Its high-level scope encompasses the full application lifecycle, from initial code editing to performance optimization, with a focus on real-time systems and power-sensitive applications common in industrial, automotive, and . In its modern iterations, CCS is based on the framework for versions 4 through 12 and transitions to the framework starting with version 20, enhancing its extensibility and user interface for contemporary development workflows.

Key Components

Code Composer Studio (CCS) features a set of core components that form the foundation of its (IDE) for development. The optimizing C/C++ , such as the TI Arm Clang , generates efficient with features like link-time optimization to achieve maximum and minimal size for TI devices including MSP430, C2000, and DSPs. The source editor provides , auto-completion via IntelliSense, , and multi-cursor support, enabling developers to efficiently write and navigate C/C++ within the -based interface. The project build environment integrates these tools to manage compilation, linking, and assembly processes, supporting cross-platform operation on Windows, , and macOS. Configuration tools streamline device-specific setup within CCS. Resource Explorer allows users to select target devices and browse curated example projects, libraries, and documentation tailored to specific TI platforms, accessible directly from the IDE's Getting Started view or menu. SysConfig offers a for pin , peripheral configuration, and driver setup, automatically generating corresponding C files to integrate into projects. Integration aspects enhance extensibility and automation in CCS. Scripting capabilities support Python and Tcl for automating repetitive tasks, such as build processes or batch configurations, through APIs that interface with the IDE's debug server. Third-party plugins are facilitated via Eclipse extensions in the desktop version and /VS Code-compatible extensions in the cloud edition, allowing customization with tools from the Open VSX Registry. In a typical , these components interact seamlessly for end-to-end development. Users begin project creation by selecting a device in Resource Explorer to import examples or templates, then use the editor to develop code and SysConfig to configure hardware peripherals. The build environment compiles the project upon invocation from the IDE's or command palette, producing executables ready for initial testing, with scripting options for automated iteration.

History

Origins and Early Development

Code Composer originated as a software product developed by GO DSP, a Toronto-based company specializing in digital signal processing (DSP) tools. In 1997, GO DSP released an updated version of Code Composer with support for ' TMS320C6000 family of DSPs, providing a fully for embedded applications. This release, priced at $2,000 and compatible with Microsoft and NT, extended compatibility to earlier TI processors such as the 'C2xx, 'C3x, 'C4x, 'C5x, and 'C54x families. Later in 1997, announced its acquisition of GO DSP, which was completed by early 1998, enabling deeper alignment of the tool with TI's DSP ecosystem. The acquisition facilitated the integration of Code Composer with TI's DSP/BIOS real-time operating kernel, enhancing support for real-time embedded software development. Early versions of Code Composer featured essential components for DSP programming, including an assembler, linker, simulator, visual project manager, and graphical signal analysis tools such as eye diagrams and FFT waterfalls. These capabilities, along with multi-processor and C-interpretive scripting, supported efficient building and of DSP applications. The tool emerged amid the 1990s expansion of DSP applications, driven by advances in personal computing and that demanded specialized environments for real-time signal processing in embedded systems.

Major Milestones and Transitions

In 1999, rebranded its development environment as Code Composer Studio (CCS) with the release of version 1.x, integrating the DSP/BIOS real-time kernel to provide enhanced support for embedded real-time applications on TI processors. This integration marked a significant evolution, bundling the kernel directly into the IDE to streamline development workflows for TI's DSP portfolio. With version 4.0 in 2009, CCS underwent a major architectural shift to an Eclipse-based IDE, leveraging the open-source framework for improved extensibility, plugin support, and advanced OS-level debugging capabilities, while also expanding its scope beyond DSPs to include support for TI's families, such as the MSP430 low-power series, broadening its utility for a wider range of embedded systems. This transition enabled developers to customize the environment more effectively while maintaining compatibility with TI-specific tools. In 2010, with the v4.x series, TI introduced free limited versions of CCS, imposing code size restrictions to allow hobbyists and evaluators access without full licensing costs. This accessibility push culminated in 2016 with version 7.0, which provided full free access under the Technology Software Publicly Available (TSPA) licensing model, eliminating runtime fees and barriers for broader adoption. Concurrently, TI launched CCS Cloud in 2015, offering a browser-based development environment integrated with the TI Developer Zone for remote coding, simulation, and resource access without local installations. More recent transitions reflect CCS's adaptation to modern development paradigms. In 2024, adopted the Eclipse framework, enhancing web compatibility and providing a flexible, extensible IDE suitable for both desktop and cloud workflows. Building on this, v20.2 in 2025 added native support for macOS on through an updated Runtime Environment, expanding platform accessibility for users. Additionally, 2024–2025 updates incorporated AI-assisted tools, including integration with AI extensions and third-party assistants like Codeium for and optimization guidance, alongside enhancements to the longstanding Optimizer Assistant for performance analysis.

Versions and Editions

Legacy Versions

The initial versions of Code Composer Studio, from v1.x (1999) to v3.x (2005–2008), originated from GO DSP, which acquired in 1997, and primarily targeted digital signal processors (DSPs) using a . These versions bundled with the DSP/BIOS real-time kernel and emphasized graphical tools for DSP development, such as XY graphs and FFT visualization, with the last major update occurring in 2008. Early iterations of Code Composer Studio (CCS), versions 1.x to 3.x released between 1999 and 2008, were Windows-only after initial Solaris support in v1.x for Sun Solaris 2.6-8, requiring paid licenses that could reach several thousand dollars for full editions, and provided basic debugging capabilities focused on C6000 DSP families like C62x, C64x, and C67x. Version 3.x, introduced around 2005-2006, expanded to include ARM-based devices like Cortex-A8 and TMS570 but remained limited to /XP and lacked advanced multi-core features. These versions supported emulators for real-time embedded DSP applications but were constrained by their proprietary framework, offering no cross-platform compatibility or free editions. The transition to Eclipse began with CCS v4.0 in July 2009, marking a shift to an open-source framework that introduced support for and macOS alongside Windows, along with free limited editions for code-size-restricted use. Subsequent releases up to v12.8 in 2024 progressively enhanced multi-core debugging capabilities, enabling synchronized control across multiple processor cores on TI devices, while adding support for broader hardware like MSP430 and platforms. However, these Eclipse-based versions lacked integration with modern web-based tools or AI-assisted development features. v12.8 served as the final Eclipse-based desktop release before the shift to the framework. Versions 3.x and earlier became unsupported in the , with official compatibility limited to outdated operating systems like , and TI recommends migration paths using tools like the Import Legacy CCS Project Wizard to transition projects to v4 and later. While downloads for these legacy versions remain available via TI archives for maintenance, they no longer receive updates or security patches.

Current Desktop Versions

The current desktop versions of Code Composer Studio (CCS) encompass the v12.x series from 2023 to 2024 and the v20.x series from late 2024 to 2025, representing the actively maintained iterations for Windows, Linux, and macOS hosts. The v12.x series, based on the Eclipse IDE framework, delivered incremental updates focused on stability, device support, and host compatibility. Releases such as v12.5.0 (October 2023), v12.6.0 (January 2024), v12.7.0 (April 2024), and v12.8.1 (September 2024) enhanced cross-platform functionality, including added support for C2000 TMS320F28P65x devices on Windows in v12.5.0, along with compiler updates like TI Arm Clang v3.2.2 LTS in v12.8.0. These versions maintained robust integration with tools like EnergyTrace for power profiling, enabling precise measurement and optimization of microcontroller energy consumption during development and debugging. Limited VS Code integration was possible via external editor configuration, allowing developers to use VS Code for code editing while leveraging CCS for builds and debugging. Transitioning to the v20.x series in December 2024, CCS adopted the Eclipse Theia framework, a modern, extensible IDE similar to VS Code, to improve usability and extensibility across platforms. This shift enabled support for macOS on processors, with native JRE added in v20.2.0, alongside /11 and 20.04/22.04/24.04, broadening accessibility for diverse hardware setups. Key releases include v20.0.0 (December 2024), v20.1.0 (March 2025), v20.2.0 (June 2025), and the latest v20.3.1 (September 2025), which addressed bug fixes for multi-processor , such as multi-root workspace launches and XDS110 updates. As of November 2025, v20.3.1 is the current release. New capabilities in v20 include an improved with enhanced views for graphs (e.g., FFT export), alignment, and register searching, facilitating development for resource-constrained devices. Intelligent tools like the Ultra-Low Power (ULP) Advisor provide code analysis suggestions to optimize power efficiency, building on its longstanding integration while benefiting from Theia's streamlined workflow. CCS follows a quarterly update cadence, with releases distributed through the TI Developer Zone, typically as offline installers around 1.8–2 GB in size to include core IDE components, compilers, and device support packages. ensures that projects from CCS v12.x (and earlier editions like v4+) can be imported and built, though workspaces may require reconfiguration; TI recommends migrating to v20.x to access Theia-specific benefits such as better extension support and multi-root workspaces.

Cloud Edition

Code Composer Studio Cloud Edition, introduced in early 2015 as part of ' TI Cloud Tools suite accessible via the dev.ti.com portal, provides a browser-based (IDE) for TI microcontroller and embedded processor development. This web IDE eliminates the need for local software installation, enabling users to access core tools such as the code editor, , and basic capabilities directly through a . It supports select TI devices, including MSP430 microcontrollers and Tiva C Series Arm-based MCUs, allowing developers to build, compile, and flash applications to connected hardware via the TI Cloud Agent. The Cloud Edition's core functionality mirrors essential aspects of the desktop IDE but is optimized for lightweight, on-demand use, including project creation, code with , and integration with TI's Resource Explorer for software examples and libraries. Basic features, such as breakpoints, variable watching, and single-step execution, are available when paired with supported debug probes like the TI Cloud Agent for USB-connected LaunchPads. In (released starting 2024), the Cloud Edition aligns with the desktop version's adoption of the Eclipse Theia framework, introducing enhancements like improved project import/export, AI-assisted via extensions, and remote capabilities for testing without physical hardware. Collaborative features, such as shared workspaces and real-time , further support team-based development in educational or prototyping scenarios. Despite these advances, the Cloud Edition has notable limitations compared to desktop variants, including reduced support for advanced profiling tools, , and handling of large-scale projects due to browser constraints and limits. It requires a stable connection for all operations and lacks offline mode, making it unsuitable for environments with connectivity issues. Access is free and requires only a TI account login via dev.ti.com, promoting broad accessibility for quick evaluations. Common use cases include on LaunchPad development kits, educational training for embedded programming, and cross-device access in collaborative settings where installation overhead must be minimized.

Core Features

Development Tools

Code Composer Studio provides an advanced code editor based on the Theia IDE framework, providing a Code-like editing experience, offering features such as multiple cursors for simultaneous edits, IntelliSense for and hover information on variables and functions, and code actions for quick fixes and refactoring support. Code navigation is facilitated through the Outline view for symbol exploration and line navigation, while TI-specific extensions and preferences under File → Preferences enable tailored workflows for compilers and products. The IDE's project management system supports multi-file builds by allowing users to organize source files and folders via drag-and-drop or context menus, with path variables for portability and options to exclude files from compilation. Multiple build configurations, such as Debug and Release, can be defined with custom properties for device families and compilers, enabling parallel builds on multi-core systems for efficiency. Linker scripts handle memory mapping and are configurable through build properties, with link order managed to control file sequencing during the linking process. CCS supports architectures including , DSP, and via corresponding compiler toolsets, selected during project creation based on the target device. SysConfig serves as a graphical configuration tool integrated within CCS, providing an intuitive interface for hardware abstraction by configuring pins, peripherals, clocks, RTOS, and software stacks while automatically resolving conflicts. It generates driver code for peripherals and other components, producing source files that integrate directly into projects under the Debug folder, streamlining device-specific setup without manual coding. Optimization in CCS varies by compiler; for example, the C2000 compiler supports levels from -O0 (statement-level optimizations) to -O4 (program-level link-time optimizations including inlining and ) to balance code size, power consumption, and performance. Higher levels like -O2 and -O3 reduce code size and execution time—for instance, optimizing loops and addressing modes—while trade-offs are detailed in device-specific compiler guides. For automation, CCS offers command-line interfaces via the ccs-server-cli tool, enabling scripting for integration such as project creation, building, and importing without the GUI. Examples include batch build scripts that invoke commands like ccs-server-cli -application com.ti.ccs.apps.buildProject -ccs.projects <name> -ccs.configuration Debug, which can be wrapped in Python or other languages for automated workflows.

Debugging and Profiling

Code Composer Studio provides robust debugging capabilities tailored for embedded systems, including support for multi-core breakpoints that allow developers to set conditional halts across multiple processor cores simultaneously during execution. Watch variables enable real-time monitoring of memory locations and expressions, while real-time expression evaluation permits dynamic computation and inspection of values without halting the target, leveraging the interface for non-intrusive access. Advanced debugging features in Code Composer Studio extend to OS awareness, particularly for real-time operating systems like , where dedicated views display thread states, queues, and semaphores to facilitate analysis of task scheduling and . Additionally, scripting support through and Python APIs allows automation of debug sequences, such as loading symbols, setting breakpoints, and running regression tests, streamlining repetitive validation workflows. Profiling tools in Code Composer Studio emphasize runtime optimization for power-constrained embedded applications, with EnergyTrace offering precise of current draw and voltage profiles to identify energy inefficiencies during code execution. Cycle-accurate simulation models enable detailed performance analysis by emulating instruction-level timing and behavior, helping pinpoint bottlenecks in execution without hardware dependency. Complementary visualization and analysis tools include the Graph Application, which plots signal data from memory buffers in formats like time-domain waveforms or FFT spectra for intuitive inspection of dynamic behaviors. Statistical profiling captures function-level execution metrics, such as call counts and average durations, to quantify code hotspots and guide optimization efforts. Since version 20.2, Code Composer Studio supports AI-assisted features through compatible extensions in the framework, such as Codeium for intelligent suggestions, enhancing development and workflows, though specialized anomaly detection for power profiling remains tied to EnergyTrace's core analytics.

Hardware and Platform Support

Supported Devices

Code Composer Studio (CCS) provides comprehensive support for ' microcontroller and processor families, enabling development for embedded applications ranging from low-power sensing to high-performance . This support encompasses bare-metal programming, real-time operating systems, and select OS-level environments, with device-specific configurations available through integrated tools.

Microcontrollers

CCS fully supports TI's microcontroller portfolio, including the MSP430 family, which is optimized for ultra-low-power applications such as battery-operated devices and wireless sensors. The C2000 real-time microcontrollers, featuring the C28x DSP core, are tailored for , , and industrial tasks requiring precise timing and control. Additionally, legacy support persists for the Tiva C Series (formerly Stellaris) based microcontrollers, with some devices remaining active, allowing continued development for existing designs in connectivity and control systems. The Hercules safety microcontrollers, based on cores, receive full compatibility for applications in automotive and industrial sectors, certified to standards like ISO 26262. SimpleLink wireless microcontrollers, such as the CC13xx and CC26xx series, are also supported for low-power IoT and connectivity solutions.

Processors

For more complex systems, CCS accommodates TI's processor families, including Sitara ARM-based system-on-chips (SoCs) like the AM3xxx and AM6xxx series, which integrate multi-core processors with peripherals for industrial, automotive, and networking applications. The digital signal processor (DSP) lineup, encompassing the C6000 high-performance family (e.g., C66x, C67x) for and , and the C2000 family for real-time processing, offers optimized compilers and libraries for demanding computational workloads. Hercules-based safety processors extend microcontroller capabilities to higher-performance safety-critical environments. Emerging subsystems within these processors, such as the Programmable Real-Time Unit Industrial Communication Subsystem (PRU-ICSS) on Sitara devices, enable deterministic real-time communication protocols for industrial automation, with dedicated CCS project templates and drivers. CCS provides full bare-metal development support across all compatible devices, including code generation, assembly, and linking tailored to each architecture. For Sitara processors, compatibility extends partially to OS-level environments, supporting Linux kernel debugging and Android application development through integrated GNU toolchains and remote debugging capabilities. Device support files, including support packs and software development kits (SDKs), are downloadable directly within CCS via the Resource Explorer, ensuring up-to-date configurations for specific variants. While coverage is extensive for active TI lines, discontinued processor families like receive limited updates, with support confined to legacy versions and no new features or device variants added.

Debug Probes and Emulators

Code Composer Studio (CCS) utilizes JTAG-based hardware interfaces for connecting to target devices, with the XDS family of debug probes serving as the primary (TI) solution for emulation and debugging. These probes enable control over device execution, memory access, and real-time monitoring, supporting protocols such as IEEE 1149.1 , cJTAG (IEEE 1149.7), and SWD/SWO. The XDS100v2 represents the basic entry-level option, a USB-connected probe based on the FTDI FT2232H controller that facilitates straightforward connectivity for single-core debugging tasks, though it lacks advanced trace features. For more sophisticated multi-core applications, the XDS110 and XDS200 probes provide enhanced performance and compatibility with CCS versions 6.1 and later. The XDS110, positioned as the current entry-level emulator, supports up to 14 MHz TCLK (with a default of 8 MHz), cJTAG, SWD/SWO, and multi-core DSP+ systems like the 66AK2 SoC; it connects via USB 2.0 high-speed (480 Mbps) and includes four GPIOs, UART passthrough, and built-in EnergyTrace technology for current measurement up to 75 mA (with support for up to 800 mA using the optional EnergyTrace HDR add-on in high-dynamic-range mode). The XDS200 family, aimed at midrange needs, extends these with broader voltage support (1.5V–4.1V), power-loss detection, and optional Ethernet connectivity at 10/100 Mbps, while maintaining USB 2.0 high-speed interfaces; it handles advanced multi-core emulation for devices like TI Sitara and C2000 processors. Third-party debug probes are integrated into CCS via configuration files, offering alternatives for specific TI devices. SEGGER J-Link probes are supported through included DLLs (e.g., JLinkARM.dll) and USB drivers, enabling /SWD debugging for -based TI MCUs like SimpleLink series, with setup involving selection in CCS target configurations. ST-LINK probes from provide limited compatibility for select TI devices, configured similarly in CCS for basic access. Emulation-specific tools include the MSP-FET for MSP430 microcontrollers, which acts as a debug probe with on-chip emulation capabilities for programming, real-time execution control, and low-power analysis via USB or isolated interfaces. The ICDI (In-Circuit Debug Interface), adapted from Stellaris/Tiva launchpads, functions as an integrated emulator for TI ARM-based devices, supporting CCS connections through onboard USB and driver scripts. These probes deliver key capabilities such as for manufacturing testing via /cJTAG protocols, trace capture through SWO (UART-formatted) or Embedded Trace Buffer (ETB) for core/system analysis on supported /DSP cores, and voltage/current monitoring with EnergyTrace for power profiling up to 75 mA standard range. In CCS version 20 and later, enhanced remote over networks is available for Ethernet-capable probes like the XDS200, facilitating wireless-like sessions in distributed environments. Probe setup in CCS begins with driver installation during IDE setup, which includes support for XDS, MSP-FET, and third-party options like J-Link; users then configure connection details—such as probe type (e.g., XDS110), interface (USB/Ethernet), speed, and trace enablement—via the graphical user interface's target configuration editor or the launch.json file in Theia-based versions for advanced options like multi-core grouping.

Licensing and Availability

License Models

Prior to version 7, Code Composer Studio required paid perpetual licenses structured in tiers based on supported device families, with prices ranging from $495 for microcontroller-only editions to approximately $3,000 for full Platinum licenses covering all embedded processors. Starting with version 7 and continuing in subsequent releases, Code Composer Studio transitioned to a fully free model under ' Technology Software Publicly Available (TSPA) license, which grants a worldwide, , non-exclusive right to use the software for development with TI devices, including commercial applications without additional fees or royalties. The core IDE provides unrestricted access to all features at no cost, while optional paid support contracts are available for enterprise users seeking dedicated technical assistance and maintenance. The Cloud Edition operates under the same free TSPA terms, requiring only a TI account for access, though it imposes practical limits on compute resources to manage server usage. Code Composer Studio integrates open-source components such as the and frameworks, which are licensed under the (EPL), while TI's proprietary tools remain under the TSPA license but permit redistribution of compiled binaries for use with TI devices.

System Requirements and Installation

Code Composer Studio (CCS) desktop versions require a 64-bit operating system and compatible hardware to ensure optimal performance. Supported operating systems include and (64-bit), 24.04, 22.04, and 20.04 (64-bit; other distributions may function but lack official support), and macOS 15 (Sequoia), 14 (Sonoma), and 13 (Ventura). (M-series) processors are supported on macOS via translation. Minimum hardware specifications consist of 8 GB RAM, 3 GB disk space, and an x86_64 , while recommended configurations are 16 GB or more RAM, 6 GB or more disk space, and an x86_64 with at least 8 threads. Systems below recommended specifications may exhibit reduced performance. For and later, which is built on the Theia IDE framework, no specific runtime is required as a prerequisite, though optional integration with is available for during project management. Installation begins with downloading the offline installer from the website, typically around 2 GB in size depending on the selected components. The installer is provided as a .exe file for Windows or a .zip archive for and macOS. Users should disable antivirus or security software temporarily to avoid interference, then run the installer, accept the , and select an installation directory (versioned folders are recommended for multiple installations). During setup, choose specific components such as compilers and support for device families (e.g., MSP or C2000 series) to customize the installation. License activation occurs automatically upon accepting the agreement, as CCS is provided without a fee or additional key for standard use. On , execute the installation script with privileges, and run the driver installation script post-setup if needed. After completion, launch CCS to configure a workspace and verify the installation. The edition of CCS operates in a browser environment without requiring local installation or hardware beyond a standard web-capable machine. It supports modern browsers including the latest versions of , , Mozilla Firefox, and . Access is granted through a account login via the TI Developer Zone portal, enabling project creation, editing, building, and debugging directly in the . Projects can synchronize with the desktop version using for seamless workflow continuity. Common installation issues include USB driver conflicts for debug probes and emulators, which can be resolved by ensuring drivers are installed during the CCS setup or manually via Device Manager on Windows (enabling "Show hidden devices" to remove outdated entries). For Linux users, dependencies like libtinfo5 on Ubuntu 24.04 may require manual installation from repositories. Updates to CCS are managed through the Help > Check for Updates menu within the IDE, which checks for and applies patches or new versions. Prior to reinstalling, clean incomplete prior installations by deleting the installation directory to prevent conflicts.

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