NXP Application Code Hub

UART Communication Example using RTD Drivers on FRDM-A-S32K344

This demo shows how to configure and use the LPUART driver from the RTD package on the FRDM-A-S32K344 using S32 Design Studio. It implements a UART-based command interface to control and monitor the green LED, with additional button input support and visual feedback via LEDs, demonstrating UART communication and GPIO interaction.

Boards: FRDM-A-S32K344

Categories: Communication

Peripherals: UART, FLEXIO

Toolchains: S32 Design Studio IDE

Table of Contents

1. Software and Tools
2. Hardware
3. Setup
4. Results
5. Support
6. Release Notes

1. Software and Tools

This example was developed using the FRDM Automotive Bundle for S32K3 + S32M27. To download and install the complete software and tools ecosystem, use the following link:

• FRDM Automotive S32K3 + S32M27 Board Installation Package

2. Hardware

• Personal Computer
• Type-C USB cable
• FRDM-A-S32K344

  

3. Setup

3.1 Import the Project into S32 Design Studio IDE

1. Open S32 Design Studio IDE, in the Dashboard Panel, choose Import project from Application Code Hub.

   

2. Find the demo you need by searching for the name directly.
   Open the project, click on the GitHub link, S32 Design Studio IDE will automatically retrieve project attributes, then click Next>.

   

3. Select main branch and then click Next>.

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

5. Select Import existing Eclipse projects then click Next>.

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

3.2 Generating, Building and Running the Example

1. 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.

   

   Press Yes in the SDK Component Management pop-up window to continue.

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

   

    Configuration Name                  Description
    -------------------------------     -----------------------
    $(example)_debug_flash_pemicro      Debug the FLASH configuration using PEmicro probe
   

   Select the desired debug configuration and click on Debug. Now the perspective will change to the Debug Perspective. Use the controls to control the program flow.

4. Results

This example validates UART communication through interaction with a serial terminal. Open a terminal on the detected COM port using the following settings:

• Baud rate: 115200
• Data bits: 8
• Parity: None
• Stop bits: 1
• Flow control: None

After reset, the board sends a welcome message and displays a command prompt. The user can enter commands such as:

• help
• led on
• led off
• status

Commands are received via UART, processed by the application, and responses are sent back over the same interface, confirming correct UART transmit and receive operation.

The green LED can be controlled both from UART commands and from onboard buttons (SW2 and SW3), while the blue LED briefly blinks to indicate UART activity.

Internally, the application continuously reads incoming UART data byte-by-byte, builds a command buffer, and executes the command when the Enter key is pressed. Based on the parsed input, the system updates GPIO outputs and transmits a response back to the terminal.

5. Support

For general technical questions related to NXP microcontrollers, please use the NXP Community Forum.

Project Metadata

Questions regarding the content/correctness of this example can be entered as Issues within this GitHub repository.

Warning: For more general technical questions regarding NXP Microcontrollers and the difference in expected functionality, enter your questions on the NXP Community Forum

6. Release Notes

Version	Description / Update	Date
1.0	Initial release on Application Code Hub	June 5th 2026
1.1	Updated to FRDM Automotive S32K3 + S32M27 (RTD 7.0.1)	August 25th 2026