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CCS/BEAGLEBK: Tutorial/Documentation RTOS without JTAG debugger

Marco Schindler1
Prodigy 150 points

Part Number: BEAGLEBK

Tool/software: Code Composer Studio

Hello,

I am trying to get familiar with the TI-RTOS.

I happen to already have a beaglebone black and was hoping to take the first steps with that.  I do not have a JTAG debugger.

When looking through the documentation and the tutorials, I only find examples that use a JTAG debugger to load and run the examples.

I also skimmed the "Getting started with TI-RTOS training series".  This also seems to use a JTAG debugger for each lab.

Maybe I missed something.

Are there any examples - start to finish - how to generate a simple application that generates all the necessary files and explains how to boot from, e.g. an SD card?

  • 0
    TI__Intellectual 2180 points

    Hello,

    Generally, if you're going to be using TIRTOS, you'll need a JTAG debugger in order to debug your code as it runs on the board. However, I'll double check to see if we have documentation on booting from SD.

    Thanks,

    Max

  • 0 in reply to Max Kross1
    Prodigy 150 points

    With this I am able to boot the beaglebone black from an SD card.

    Now in order to create and integrate my own applications, I assume I will have to read the "TI-RTOS Kernel (SYS/BIOS) User's Guide".

  • 0 in reply to Marco Schindler1
    TI__Intellectual 2180 points

    Hi Marco,

    That is correct. Additionally be sure to check out our PDK examples for getting started with sample applications:

    software-dl.ti.com/.../index_examples_demos.html

    Thanks,

    Max

  • 0 in reply to Max Kross1
    Prodigy 150 points

    Max,

    I am trying now to create a project according to the "TI-RTOS Kernel (SYS/BIOS) User's Guide".

    I created a standalone SYS/BIOS project according to chapter 2.1. Here I selected AM33x - Cortex A8 and Beaglebone_Black as target.

    I added an "RTSC Configuration File" according to 2.2

    Then I am trying to open it with XGCONF according to 2.3.

    In this step however CCS crashes reproducibly.  I was able to capture the error message, right before the crash in the screenshot below:

    Marco

  • 0 in reply to Marco Schindler1
    Prodigy 150 points

    Since I am stuck with the IDE under Linux, I tried it under Windows.

    When I follow the same steps as above (chapters 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3) under Windows the IDE does not crash.

    However, when I open the .cfg file, all it does, is open an empty (text) file.

    I expected a graphical editor, like XGCONF shown in the documentation.

    So I assume I am doing something fundamentally wrong here.

    Is maybe something not installed that should be? Not added correctly?

    I installed

    • CCS
    • the SDK RTOS for am335x
    • SYS/BIOS

    I kept the default directories both under Linux and Windows.

  • 0 in reply to Marco Schindler1
    TI__Intellectual 2180 points

    Hi Marco,

    I'm notifying another expert on this subject. They should respond to this thread soon.

    Thanks,

    Max

  • 0 in reply to Max Kross1
    TI__Mastermind 28788 points

    Hi,

    Right-click on the .cfg file and select "Open With -> XGCONF". I suggest not using XGCONF since it's slow and has some bugs.

    Regards,
    Frank

  • 0 in reply to Frank Livingston
    Prodigy 150 points

    Hi and sorry, but this leaves me with more questions than before.

    1. I did try the "right-click and open with" approach, but with the effect as described above. Just an empty file opens.
    What does this indicate?  Am I expecting something wrong?  Is there something wrong with the installation or my project?

    2. Earlier in this thread I had asked if I could go by the "TI-RTOS Kernel (SYS/BIOS) User's Guide". This document describes how to create a project and use XGCONF.
    Now I am being told not to use it because it's slow and buggy. Is this tool really not usable?

    3. If I can't use XGCONF, how do I configure a SYS/BIOS applications? Where is that described?  This might seem obvious to an experienced user like you, but I am still trying to get an overview of all the html, pdf and video documentation.

    Marco

  • 0 in reply to Marco Schindler1
    TI__Mastermind 28788 points

    Hi Marco,

    Marco Schindler1 said:
    I did try the "right-click and open with" approach, but with the effect as described above. Just an empty file opens.
    What does this indicate?  Am I expecting something wrong?  Is there something wrong with the installation or my project?

    Did you get an error message? 

    Did you install the SYS/BIOS & XDC Tools RTSC components?

    In CCS:

    • Select Menu Window -> Preferences
    • Select Code Composer Studio -> Product
    • Click Refresh
    • Select installed SYS/BIOS and XDC Tools components
    • Click Install

    Marco Schindler1 said:
    Earlier in this thread I had asked if I could go by the "TI-RTOS Kernel (SYS/BIOS) User's Guide". This document describes how to create a project and use XGCONF.
    Now I am being told not to use it because it's slow and buggy. Is this tool really not usable?

    XGCONF is provided as part of the installed content, and thus it can be used. I've found it useful for starting a project and learning the basic available options. However, I recommend using directly editing the .cfg file (text) file during project development.

    Marco Schindler1 said:
    If I can't use XGCONF, how do I configure a SYS/BIOS applications?

    By directly editing the .cfg (text) file.

    Marco Schindler1 said:
    Where is that described?

    Please see the TI-RTOS Kernel (SYS/BIOS) User's Guide in <BIOS>/docs/Bios_User_Guide.pdf, 1.6.1 Using the API Reference Help System, Configuration Reference.

    There are numerous example projects (.cfg files) in AM335x PRSDK (and the BIOS installation) which can be used as a guide.

    I hope this helps.

    Regards,
    Frank

  • 0 in reply to Frank Livingston
    Prodigy 150 points

    I also think at least in the beginning XGCONF would be very helpful to learn about the options and syntax of cfg files.

    I do not get an error message, simply an empty file, no matter how I open it.

    It did find some updates but the behaviour did not change, see pictures of project and installation below:

    Discovered installable products:

    Now installed products:

  • 0 in reply to Marco Schindler1
    TI__Mastermind 28788 points

    Hi Macro,

    I see you have two versions of XDC Tools installed. Are all of the references in your project to a single version of XDC Tools? Please see: https://e2e.ti.com/support/tools/ccs/f/81/t/291214?I-can-t-open-cfg-files-properly-with-XGCONF-in-CCSv5

    Would it be possible to share your project so I can try to open the .cfg file in XGCONF?

    Regards,
    Frank

  • 0 in reply to Frank Livingston
    Prodigy 150 points

    I am attaching the project, which is really just a new project I created with a target added.

    I did not find the options the other forum thread refers to. There is no tab "RTSC" on the page "General" and I also don't find the reference to the XDC tools directory in the sub tab "Products and Repositories".

    Maybe since this thread is about a much older version of the IDE, it is in a different location.

    Sorry for asking so many questions about what should be a very simple thing to do.

    BBBmyHelloWorld.zip

  • 0 in reply to Marco Schindler1
    TI__Mastermind 28788 points

    Hi Marco,

    The BBBmyHelloWorld.cfg file in the .zip file is empty. Did you accidentally overwrite it?

    Regards,
    Frank

  • 0 in reply to Frank Livingston
    Prodigy 150 points

    All I did is create an RTSC configuration file from the menu which apparently created this empty file.

    I tried this several times under both Linux and Windows. Under Linux the IDE crashes and under Windows it opens the file as an empty text file.

  • 0 in reply to Marco Schindler1
    TI__Mastermind 28788 points

    Hi Marco,

    I changed various settings in your project trying to get XGCONF working, but I wasn't successful. I think the key issue is the project output type is "Executable" instead of "RTSC Application (Executable)". Please see Project Properties->General, Output format. I don't see a way to change the project type from "Executable" to "RTSC Application (Executable)".

    I was able to get XGCONF working with a new SYS/BIOS hello world project. Please try the following:

    • File -> New -> CCS Project
    • For Target, select "BeagleBone_Black"
    • Under the "Cortex A [ARM]" tab, expand "Project templates and examples". Expand SYS/BIOS->More Examples, click on "Search using import wizard".
    • Select the "hello [gnuTargetExamples..]", click Finish.
    • Select name for project, default is "hello", click Next.
    • For platform, type "ti.platforms.beaglebone".
    • Click Finish.

    Now right-click the .cfg file in the newly created project, and select Open With -> XGCONF.

    Note the hello project which uses the TI compiler will only work with older versions of SYS/BIOS, please see: https://e2e.ti.com/support/processors/f/791/p/887584/3283197#3283197. 

    Regards,
    Frank

  • 0 in reply to Frank Livingston
    TI__Mastermind 25686 points

    Just FYI always liked (and still use) the original since it has JTAG built in:

     

  • 0 in reply to Joe G.
    TI__Mastermind 28788 points

    Joe,

    Thanks much for the FYI.

    Another approach is to solder a JTAG connector to the BeagleBone Black:

    This is the approach I've taken. I use an XDS2xx USB debug probe with the BeagleBone Black.

    Regards,
    Frank