CMSIS-Pack describes a delivery mechanism for software components, device parameters, and evaluation board support. The XML-based package description (PDSC) file describes the content of a Software Pack (file collection) that includes:

Source code, header files, and software libraries
Documentation and source code templates
Device parameters along with startup code and programming algorithms
Example projects

The complete file collection along with the PDSC file is shipped in ZIP-format as a Software Pack. The PDSC file is designed for software development environments and describes the user and device relevant context for the files supplied within such a Software Pack. A Software Pack can be used for multiple purposes (see below).

After installing a Software Pack, all included software components are available to the development tools. Software components are a collection of source modules, header and configuration files as well as libraries. Packs containing software components can also include Example Projects and User Code Templates.

The Revision History of CMSIS-Pack lists the main changes between versions.

Software Pack Use Cases

The figure above shows the following use cases for Software Packs:

Device Family Pack (DFP): contains CMSIS system/startup files, drivers, and flash algorithms for a microcontroller device family.
CMSIS Software Pack: contains the generic CMSIS components (CORE, DSP Library, and RTOS implementation) supplied by ARM.
Middleware Pack: contains software components belonging to a middleware (such as source code or libraries).
Board Support Pack (BSP): contains documentation, schematics, and drivers for a certain development board.
In-house Software Packs: usually contain software components that can be distributed within a company or engineering group.

Note: A Software Pack can address multiple use cases at the same time!

The following sections give you more details on the basics:

Software Packs Overview explains the steps required for creating a Software Pack in general.
Pack with Software Components gives detailed information on the contents of the PDSC file.
Pack with Device Support describes additional requirements of Device Family Packs (DFPs).
Pack with Board Support covers the creation of Board Support Packs (BSPs).
Pack Example explains the Software Pack example that is part of the CMSIS Pack in more detail.
Publish a Pack shows the options for publishing a Pack.
Utilities for Creating Packs caters to programs that are useful during the creation of a Pack.
Pack Description (*.PDSC) Format describes all XML elements that can be used in a PDSC file.
Configuration Wizard Annotations can be used to create GUI-like elements in development tools for configuration files.
Flash Programming Algorithms are used to erase or download applications to Flash devices.
Simplifying debug setup using debug descriptions allow to create tool-agnostic debug and trace configurations
Project Description (*.CPDSC) Format is a environment/tool independent definition of a software project. This helps to create only one set of example projects that can be used by many different tool vendors.
CMSIS-Pack Index Files

CMSIS-Pack in ARM::CMSIS Pack

Files relevant to CMSIS-Pack are present in the following ARM::CMSIS directories:

Folder	Content
Utilities	Utilities for Creating Packs
Pack\Example	Reference Software Pack
Pack\Tutorials	Tutorials for Creating Packs