CCS/MSP430F5522: How do I find where variables declared as floats are stored in memory?

Thank you for the reply!

The missing variables are stored as floats but they are part of a static structure.  As far as how they are being stored in memory, that is what I am trying to find out.  I inherited this project and I'm pretty sure these variables are zeros because of a memory storage issue, but I can't find where they are stored.

static struct testResults starResults = { 0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0};

struct testResults 
{
	float ch1Amplitude;
	float ch2Amplitude;
	float ch3Amplitude;
	int min1;
	int max1;
	int min2;
	int max2;
	int min3;
	int max3;
	float mean1;
	float mean2;
	float mean3;
};

The variables in multiple locations for comparing values but this is the function where they get set to the correct analog values read from the analog input pin:

void testMethod_2( test_data_t *t, int chan,int  led)  // high sensitivity with boost board attached
{


	int i,j,c,k;
	int numTests=1;//64;//8;


	 long results[2];
	 int sample[3];


	for (i=0; i< 2; ++i )
	{
		 results[i]=0;
	}

	switch_adc_input( chan );
	if ( AdcResolution == TWELVEBITS )
	{
		ADC_CONTROL2 |= BIT5; //ADC_RES;  // set to 12 bit resolution
		ADC_CONTROL2 &= ~BIT4; //
	}

	c=222;

	ADC12CTL0 |= ADC12MSC;
	ADC12CTL1 |= ADC12CONSEQ_2;
	ADC12IE=0x01;

	//ADC_CONTROL0 |= ADC_ENABLE_CONV ;  // enable adc conversions


	if ( c < 600 ) //  skip testing and report -1 result because of excessive noise.
	{


		PHOTODIODE1_OFF;PHOTODIODE2_OFF;
		timer_us( 100 );//test
		for ( k=0; k < 1; ++k)
		{
			if (chan==ADC_AMP1OUT)
				PHOTODIODE1_ON;
			else PHOTODIODE2_ON;


			for ( i=0; i < numTests; ++i)
			{
				if ( k==0 && i==5)  // fake cycle to correct for slump in output on first cycle
					break;


				led_on( led, PD_OFF); //led_on( led, PD_ON);  use led '5'  to use no led or just set the led time too much less in next statement.
				timer_us(2);
				LED1_OFF;  LED2_OFF; LED3_OFF; // turn off led
				timer_us(t->blanking_us );
				if (chan==ADC_AMP1OUT)
					PHOTODIODE1_ON;
				else PHOTODIODE2_ON;
				timer_us(t->meas_delay_us);
				adcIndex=ADC_SAMPLES_FOR_TEST2_AMPLITUDE;
				adcResults=0;
				ADC_CONTROL0 |= ADC_START_CONV+ADC_ENABLE_CONV;                     // Start conversion
				  __bis_SR_register(LPM0_bits + GIE);       // Enter LPM4, Enable interrupts
				  __no_operation();                         // For debugger

				sample[0] = adcResults>>5;  //(long)ADC_MEMORY_LOC;
				PHOTODIODE1_OFF;PHOTODIODE2_OFF;
				timer_us(50);
				led_on( led, PD_OFF); //led_on( led, PD_ON);
				timer_us(t->ledOn_usec);
				LED1_OFF;  LED2_OFF; LED3_OFF; // turn off led
				timer_us(t->blanking_us );
				if (chan==ADC_AMP1OUT)
					PHOTODIODE1_ON;
				else PHOTODIODE2_ON;
				timer_us(t->meas_delay_us);

				adcIndex=ADC_SAMPLES_FOR_TEST2_AMPLITUDE;
				adcResults=0;
				ADC_CONTROL0 |= ADC_START_CONV+ADC_ENABLE_CONV;                     // Start conversion
				__bis_SR_register(LPM0_bits + GIE);       // Enter LPM4, Enable interrupts
				__no_operation();                         // For debugger

				sample[1] = adcResults>>5;//(long)ADC_MEMORY_LOC;

				sample[0]=sample[1]-sample[0];
				results[0]+=(long)sample[0];

				timer_us(10);//350);//450); //1000);

			}

		}

		ADC_CONTROL0 &= ~ADC_ENABLE_CONV ;  // disable adc conversions
		ADC12CTL0 &= ~ADC12MSC;
		ADC12CTL1 &= ~ADC12CONSEQ_2;
		ADC12IE=0;
		ADC_CONTROL2 |= BIT4; //ADC_RES;  // set to 10 bit resolution
		ADC_CONTROL2 &= ~BIT5; //

		results[0] = (results[0]/ numTests) ;


		//timer_us(75); // 5ms x 10 = 50 ms
	}
	else
		results[0] = -1;

	PHOTODIODE1_ON;PHOTODIODE2_ON;
	if (t==&stardata.AtestData[currentTestParmIndex] )
		starResults.ch1Amplitude = results[0];//(float) results[2];
	else if (t==&stardata.BtestData[currentTestParmIndex])
		starResults.ch2Amplitude =(float) results[0];
	else starResults.ch3Amplitude =(float) results[0];
}

The key part to notice is:

starResults.ch2Amplitude =(float) results[0];
	else starResults.ch3Amplitude =(float) results[0];

ch2Amplitude and ch3Amplitude are the variables that are stuck at 0.  

ch1Amplitude is the variable that is the analog value that is expected.  I am reading these values while attached to the debugger.  

Hi Kyle,

First off, Id like to point out that floats should be avoided if at all possible on MSP430. They are inefficient. Second, I'm assuming that the other 9 variables in the struct are dependent on ch2 and ch3 amplitude?

If you add the struct to a watch expression, you can see memory location of it and its contents. (see pic below)

Can you breakpoint on whats labelled above as line 115 and check that result[0] is populated? Alternatively you could swap line 113 and line 115 and see if you get a value in ch2amplitude; to rule out memory issues.

It strikes me as odd that you are casting the second 2, but not the first (working) variable. I did a quick test of this which shows the same result though.

I still haven't solved the problem but I'm now able to backtrack and I definitely will be able to solve it because of your suggestions, so thanks Cameron!

Happy to help :)