Getting Started with FRDM-A-S32K312 using Application Code Hub (ACH)

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Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Requirements
  • 2.1 Software Required
  • 2.2 Hardware Required
• 3. NXP Account Login
• 4. Installation
  • 4.1 S32K3 FRDM Automotive Board Installation
  • 4.2 FreeMASTER Installation
  • 4.3 AMMCLib Installation
• 5. Open a Demo from ACH (Application Code Hub)
• 6. Running a Motor Control Demo from ACH
• 7. Conclusion

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1. Introduction

This article aims to help new users prepare and install the necessary software and hardware to use the FRDM-A-S32K312 board with the latest S32K3 FRDM Automotive Bundle and Examples from Application Code Hub (ACH).

Note: These steps can also be followed with other NXP Evaluation Board, for example FRDM-A-S32K344.

S32K312MINI‑EVB Renamed to FRDM‑A‑S32K312: Now part of the FRDM Automotive Ecosystem under its new name, the board keeps the same hardware and adds full ecosystem compatibility for flexible, scalable development.

2. Requirements

2.1 Software Required

• S32K3 FRDM Automotive Board Installation Package
• FreeMASTER Run-Time Debugging Tool
• Automotive Math and Motor Control Library (AMMCLib) Rev 1.1.44

2.2 Hardware Required

• FRDM-A-S32K312 Development Board
• MCSPTE1AK344 Motor Control Kit, which includes:
  • Sunrise motor 
  • DEVKIT-MOTORGD 
  • 12V power supply
• FRDM K64 click shield with Force Click and 4X4 RGB Click
• USB Type-C cable

3. NXP Account Login

Open Software Licensing: Support, make sure you are logged into your NXP Account, and select:

1. Click on My NXP Account.
2. Select Software Licensing and Support.
   

   

3. Then click on View accounts:

These steps will ensure that you are properly authenticated with your NXP Account before proceeding with any software downloads.

Keep the page opened for login to persist.

4. Installation

Note: Before proceeding, make sure you have full access to your PC or Laptop. Some installers require local admin rights. Contact your IT department to assist you with installation.

4.1 S32K3 FRDM Automotive Board Installation

Navigate to S32K3 FRDM Automotive Bundle

• The page will open with default selection: FRDM Automotive Board Installation Package 
  
• Click on Generate Bundle Installer and then a popup window will appear:
  
• Click Next and enter details about Export Control:
  
• Click on Submit Export Control, then read the License Agreement:
  
• After reading, click on I Accept the terms of the License Agreement
• Wait for the Generate Bundle Installer to complete and press Done:
  
• This will download 2 files on your PC:
  • NXP_Multi_Installer_28.05.26.190715_User_Manual.pdf
  • NXP_Multi_Installer_28.05.26.190715_setup.exe
• Open NXP_Multi_Installer_28.05.26.190715_setup.exe:
  
• Click Next > and read the License Agreement:
  
• After reading press on I Agree
  

• Select the type of install: Full and press Next

  
• Check the Download folder to your location and press Next
  
• Select both options:
  • Launch executable files after download
  • Installation and configuration without any interaction
• Click on Download
• Wait for the download to complete, and Installation will begin
  
• Wait for the installation process to complete (~10-15 minutes)
• Click Next to close the window
  
• After installation check PEmicro drivers installed on your PC: 

• Connect the USB cable to your PC and the FRDM Automotive S32K312 board:
  
• Open Device Manager to check OpenSDA and the COM port number.
• OpenSDA - CDC Serial Port → note this COM port number

Note: The COM port number may differ on your system.

4.2 FreeMASTER Installation

Download the  FreeMASTER Run-Time Debugging Tool:

• Open the installer FMASTERSW32.exe
• Click Next, then select all available products:
  
• Use the default installation path: C:\NXP\FreeMASTER 3.2

  
• Wait for the installation to complete.

4.3 AMMCLib Installation

First, open the S32 Design Studio 3.6.5

• Navigate the Menu to Help -> S32DS Extensions and Updates
• Search for AMMCLIB and select AMMCLIB for S32K3xx/S32M27x:
  
• Click Install/Update 1 item(s) and next
  
• Read and Click on I accept the terms and press Finish
  
• Select the Authority/Update Site https://www.nxp.com and Trust Selected
  
• Select X509 and Trust Selected
  
• Restart S32 Design Studio 3.6.5

5. Open a Demo from ACH (Application Code Hub)

• Open S32 Design Studio 3.6.5, select Import Project from Application Code Hub
  
• This will open a new Window:
  
• Click on Search window and enter "brake"
• Select the Emergency LED-Based Brake Status Monitoring on FRDM-A-S32K312
  
• Click on GitHub link — this will trigger S32 Design Studio IDE to automatically retrieve project attributes, then click Next>.

• Select main branch and then click Next>.

• Select your local path for the repo in Destination->Directory window. The S32 Design Studio IDE will clone the repo into this path, click Next>.

• Select Import existing Eclipse projects then click Next>.

• Select the project in this repo (only one project in this repo) then click Finish.

• In Project Explorer, right-click the project and select Update Code and Build Project:

  

• This will generate the configuration (Pins, Clocks, Peripherals), update the source code and build the project using the active configuration (e.g. Debug_FLASH). Make sure the build completes successfully and the *.elf file is generated without errors.

• Go to Debug and select Debug Configurations. There will be a debug configuration for this project:

   
• Select the FRDM_A_S32K312_BRAKE_MONITORING_Debug_FLASH_PNE configuration and press Debug:
  
• Now the perspective will change to the Debug Perspective. Use the controls to control the program flow.

• Results:
  The LED strip lights up in different colors to indicate the current voltage level being monitored. Upon startup, all LEDs perform a test sequence to verify functionality. During normal operation, the entire strip changes color based on the measured voltage: green for safe levels, yellow for moderate levels, orange for elevated levels, and red for critical levels, providing real-time visual feedback of the electrical signal being monitored.

  

6. Running a Motor Control Demo from ACH

• Open S32 Design Studio 3.6.5, select Import Project from Application Code Hub - Motor Control
• Open the example:
  PMSM Motor Control Sensorless dual Shunt FOC on FRDM-A-S32K312  
• Follow the same steps as above in 5. Open a Demo from ACH (Application Code Hub)
• After the executable file is downloaded to the board:
  1. Disconnect the FRDM-A-S32K312 board from the PC.
  2. Insert the DEVKIT-MOTORGD on top of the FRDM-A-S32K312 ensuring proper pin alignment.
  3. Plug-in the 12V power supply to the DEVKIT-MOTORGD.
  4. Reconnect the USB Type-C cable to the FRDM-A-S32K312
      
  5. The RGB LED, User Buttons are on top side, Reset Button is on the left side, while the 12V power, Motor Phases and USB Type-C are on the right side. 
     

      

• Open FreeMASTER_control/S32K_PMSM_Sensorless.pmpx project file:
  

• This will launch another window with FreeMASTER:
  

• Press GO button to connect at 115200 baud.
• In the App Control Tab, press On and set Speed Required to 1000 RPM:
• Apply a small mechanical load to the motor (friction force to the motor shaft) and observe the iABC currents:
  
• Here is a short video with the steps above explained:

7. Conclusion

These steps conclude the Getting Started with the FRDM-A-S32K312 board using the latest S32K3 FRDM Automotive Bundle and examples from Application Code Hub (ACH).

For more details, refer to:

• The corresponding Readme for the selected ACH example.

Thank you for your time,

Stefan V.