Overview
The NXP Serial Memory Tool is a Visual Studio Code extension that streamlines serial memory configuration and validation for NXP microcontrollers. With an intuitive graphical interface, developers can easily configure memory parameters, validate settings on real hardware, and generate FCB binaries—all without leaving VS Code.
Note: This user guide is for NXP Serial Memory Tool version 26.03. For the latest updates and information, check the extension marketplace page.
Note: The software is subject to the NXP software license agreement.
Key features
Serial memory configuration and validation
Real-time validation
Integration with Visual Studio Code
Import/save capability
FCB generation (for supported devices)
User-friendly UI for creating and modifying the memory lookup table
Link a C project to apply configurations changes (for supported devices)
Provides automatic memory‑chip parameter discovery via the SFDP Test (for supported devices)
Simplified configuration mode using configuration words, providing an alternative to the Advanced configuration mode (for supported devices)
System requirements
Supported operating systems
Windows 10 (64-bit)
Windows 11 (64-bit)
Software requirements
Visual Studio Code (the latest version is recommended)
Python environment (the tool configures this automatically)
Hardware support
i.MX RT118x series
i.MX RT7xxx series
Installation
Installing the extension
Open Visual Studio Code
Go to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X)
Search for “Serial Memory Tool for VS Code”
Click Install
Setting up the Python environment
After installation, the Install Toolchain button appears in the tool interface.
To automatically set up the preconfigured Python environment, click the button.
Wait for the installation to complete (this process may take several minutes).
Once the installation is complete, the tool interface will be fully loaded and ready to use. The Welcome page will display the Manage Toolchains option, which allows you to manage your toolchain installation.
Getting started
Working with Serial Memory Tool
1. Open VS Code
Launch Visual Studio Code on your system
2. Access the Serial Memory Tool
Look for the NXP tool icon in the Activity Bar
Or open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) and search for “Serial Memory Tool”
3. Select the target device
Select a processor from the supported devices list.
Once a processor is selected, a default Memory Chip is automatically assigned. This chip comes with a standard configuration validated on the EVK board.
For supported devices, a toggle button enables switching between Simplified and Advanced configuration modes.
If the Memory Chip is changed, the memory type is updated automatically in the Configuration page to match the new selection.
4. Use the default configuration or create a custom configuration
EVK configuration is set by default for the selected device.
Core configuration allows you to modify core-specific paramaters as frequency, caches and prefetch.
4.1. Advanced configuration mode
Provides full control over memory parameters.
If needed, adjust the configuration of Memory, FlexSPI Connection, Memory LUT.
Memory Information Configuration
FlexSPI Connection Configuration
Memory LUT Configuration provides the option to add or remove LUT commands as it is needed for advanced memory configurations.
4.2. Simplified configuration mode
This mode is intended for standard configurations and reduces complexity compared to Advanced mode
Select configuration words from the drop-down menu to quickly apply predefined memory settings
4.3. To save any configuration changes, press Ctrl+S or navigate to File->Save.
5. Link a SDK C project (optional)
Click the Link C Project button to associate the current configuration with an SDK C project.
Select the project folder containing the SDK C project files.
Once linked, Editing mode is enabled for configuration modifications. All modified files will be listed in the Modified Files section.
Changes are highlighted in the project explorer and can be reviewed before validation.
6. Board detection
Before connecting, ensure the board is configured to boot in Serial Downloader mode.
Connect one cable to the USB_OTG1 for the Serial Downloader interface and the second cable to the Debug USB port for UART communication.
A connected board can be detected using the “Refresh current connection” button available in the Connection group.
Choose the appropriate COM port in case multiple boards are connected.
The connection icon changes and indicates the Connected status once the board is detected.
7. Validate configuration by executing tests on the target
Configure test parameters:
Click Test, the Test Configuration tab opens to the right.
To modify test settings, change test parameters.
Upon test parameters changing, validation errors can be displayed in case the selected parameters are not correct.
Execute test:
Tests cannot be executed unless a board is detected (the Run Test button is disabled).
Once a board is detected, the tests Run button gets enabled (green icon).
Click the Start button to start the test execution.
The pass / Fail status icon is displayed in the left side of the tests tree after the test finishes executing.
Test result is also displayed in the Test Result panel.
For the SFDP test, a detailed report is generated showing memory parameters detected from the device.
8. Test Logging
The Test execution log is displayed in the Serial Memory Tool for VS Code console that automatically opens at the bottom when a test starts.
Upon test completion, a summary report is generated displaying the overall test results. A notification appears with options to open the log file or log folder.
9. Import configuration
The Import button is located in the top-right corner in the “MCU & Memory” panel.
Imported -> A saved configuration can be imported using the import button.
10. Generate FCB
The FCB button is available in the top-right corner in the “MCU & Memory” panel.
To generate and save FCB binary, use the Generate FCB button.
Basic workflow
Start Tool → Select MCU and Memory Chip → Configure Memory Settings → Board detection → Validate Configuration by executing tests on target -> Generate FCB or save configuration
User interface overview
Main interface components
Welcome Panel
The Welcome Panel is located in the top-right corner of the interface and serves as the starting point for toolchain management and initial setup. It provides access to options such as installing and managing the toolchain, allowing users to configure their development environment. Through this panel, it is possible execute commands to install the toolchain, uninstall it if needed, and check for available updates to ensure the setup remains current and functional.
Device selection panel (MCU & Memory)
This panel is located at the top of the interface, making it easily accessible as the starting point for configuration. The panel allows choosing the target microcontroller unit (MCU) and the memory chip you intend to work with. This selection is essential for tailoring the configuration and generation process to your specific hardware setup. Currently, the RT1180 microcontroller is available for selection. Additional devices will be supported in future updates.
Panel sections:
MCU Device selection: Choose the microcontroller that matches your project requirements.
Memory Chip selection: Select the memory chip that will be paired with the chosen MCU.
Import / Save / Generate FCB Buttons: Use these buttons to import existing configurations, save your current setup, or generate the Flash Configuration Block (FCB) based on your selections.
Configuration panel
The Configuration Panel is located in the center area of the interface and is used to set up parameters for serial memory.
Panel sections:
Core Configuration
Memory Information Configuration
FlexSPI connection configuration
Memory LUT Configuration
Tests panel
The Tests Panel is located on the right side of the center area and is designed to display validation results and errors. It features validation, providing feedback on the correctness of the configuration, and indicates whether the current setup passes or fails. This helps users identify and resolve issues, ensuring an accurate configuration process.
Connection panel
The Connection Panel is located at the bottom right side of the interface and is used to detect whether a development board is connected. It shows the current connection status and allows users to manually refresh the connection by clicking the Refresh connection button. This helps ensure that the system is properly linked to the hardware before proceeding with further configuration or testing.
Troubleshooting
This chapter contains known problems and recommended solutions.
Issue: tool does not start
Symptoms: Extension loads but the tool interface does not appear.
Solutions:
Restart VS Code
Check if Python environment is properly installed
Run “Manage Toolchain” and Reset Toolchain
Reinstall Toolchain using “Install Toolchain” button
Check VS Code output panel for error messages
Issue: device is not recognized
Symptoms: RT1180 does not appear in the device list.
Solutions:
Make sure to use a supported Windows version
Update the extension to the latest version
Check system requirements
Known issues and limitations
This chapter contains limitations and possible workaround.
Current limitations
Operating system support:
Currently supported only on Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
macOS and Linux support is available in future releases
Device support:
Limited to RT11xx and RT7xx microcontroller families
Additional device support is in development
Feature limitations:
FCB generation is currently limited to RT11xx devices
SFDP test table generation is currently limited to RT11xx devices
Linking a C project is currently limited to RT11xx devices
Simplified mode is currently limited to RT11xx devices
Workarounds
Unsupported operating systems
Use a Windows virtual machine
Wait for future OS support updates
Additional device support
Check for extension updates regularly
Contact NXP support for roadmap information
References
Documentation:
RT1180 reference manual
Online resources:
Technical support:
Revision history
Document ID |
Release date |
Description |
|---|---|---|
UG10328 v.3.0 |
31 March 2026 |
Updated for 26.03. |
UG10328 v.2.0 |
12 December 2025 |
Updated for 25.12. |
UG10328 v.1.0 |
4 December 2025 |
Initial version. |
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