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Chapter 2 System Overview
FDT provides a method of programming, erasing and reading from Renesas Flash devices. Workspaces and
Projects can be used in order to save the settings between sessions, for easy switching between different
settings, and to allow experienced users to configure the settings for less experienced operators. FDT is
designed to provide a common look and feel, independent of the actual device to be programmed.
FDT employs a hierarchical structure so that work can be organised in a logical manner. The top level of
the structure is the workspace.
To be useful, the workspace must contain at least one project. In order to create a project, a workspace must
be created first.
Each project specifies its own target device configuration (specified when creating the project) and set of
target files (S-Record / Hex / Binary) that can be used toprogram the device.
The project settings for the target device connection need only be set once, as they can be stored between
sessions by saving the Project.
A single project within the workspace is active at any point in time. The active project is the context to
which all ‘Device’ Menu, ‘Project’ Menu and ‘Project’ Toolbar commands will be directed.
When a project has been created, target files can be added to it. These files may:
• Be used to program the device.
• Be used to build a Device Image.
• Be opened in the hex editor.
• Be marked as being destined for the User Boot Area (for devices which support this).
• Have their checksum calculated
• Have their data block usage displayed
• Be compared against the data already programmed to the device
When using a project it is possible to take advantage of the following FDT features:
• Advanced messaging levels.
• Device Image builder.
• Uploading data from the target device.
• Viewing uploaded data in big or little endian, or floating point representation.
• Simple Interface Mode – for simplifying the user interface once the project is configured.
• Automatic masking of non-Flash areas in files upon opening project open
• Automatic masking of reserved sections within Flash areas