IAR Compiler for nRF Connect SDK Bare Metal - nRF54L

[Julio Cabrera]

We develop Class C software for a medical device on the nRF54L15 with the S145 SoftDevice. We are also evaluating the nRF54LM20A. We use only the nRF Connect SDK Bare Metal option (sdk-nrf-bm v2.0.0). We do not use the nRF Connect SDK with the Zephyr RTOS. We have two questions about the compiler and SDK usage.

1. Can we build an sdk-nrf-bm application with the IAR Arm Toolchain (v9.70 or newer) instead of the GCC toolchain in the NCS toolchain bundle? Please tell us if this configuration is supported, tolerated, or not supported. If so, please tell us how to select IAR in the build.

2. Which compiler toolchains does Nordic support for sdk-nrf-bm? Please give the complete list, with versions.

2.16.1.2

2.16.1.2

2.16.1.2

2.16.1.2

[Amanda Hsieh]

Hi Julio, 

1. IAR is not supported, as per the reply of my colleague: RE: IAR Compiler support for nRF54L series

2. Bare Metal release uses the toolchain bundle of the corresponding nRF Connect SDK version it is based on. For example, Bare Metal v2.0.0 uses the v3.3.0 toolchain bundle. See Getting the code and nRF Connect SDK toolchain.

Regards,
Amanda H.

[Julio Cabrera]

Hi Amanda,

Thank you for your answer.

I asked about IAR support because I found two indications that it may be possible to use the nRF54L15 with IAR:

1. The IAR supported devices page lists the nRF54L15_M33 as a supported device.

2. An earlier nrfx release, v4.3.1, includes an IAR startup file for the nRF54L15 application core. I understand that this is a previous version and that the latest nrfx release is currently v4.5.0.

Could you please clarify what “IAR is not supported” means in this context? Does it mean that Nordic does not officially integrate, test, or maintain IAR support in nRF Connect SDK Bare Metal, even though IAR lists the device and an earlier nrfx release provides startup code? 

I would like to understand whether an unofficial custom IAR integration is technically possible, even if it is not officially supported by Nordic.

Regards,
Julio

2.16.1.2

[Amanda Hsieh]

Julio Cabrera said:

Does it mean that Nordic does not officially integrate, test, or maintain IAR support in nRF Connect SDK Bare Metal, even though IAR lists the device and an earlier nrfx release provides startup code? 

That's correct.