CC2540: Setting a fixed value to given address in hex file

Jan Gustav Heber

Part Number: CC2540

Hi!

I have developed a OAD image that I am using SmartRF Flash programmer to program the Flash initially. The image contain 3 parts; the bim image, image A and image B. In the BIM image, I have defined a variable that is used to select which image to boot from. Image A contains the image which mainly contains the OAD functionality, while Image B contains the main code. Thus writing to a characteristic I can switch from ImageB to ImageA when I want to perform an OAD. The problem occurs after programming the device with the SmartRF Flash programmer. Some devices start with ImageA and others with ImageB. In the BIM image the variable is defined to be located at address 0x09 and also defined to be __no_init. If this was to be initialised by the BIM image I guess that the switching would fail. So I guess the only solution is to set this location(0x09) to a fixed value in the hex file. How can I do that?

Any suggestions?

Best regards,

Jan

over 4 years ago

0 R.M over 4 years ago

TI__Genius 9215 points

Hi Jan,

You can specify the location of a variable by defining the memory section you want in the linker file (2 byte example here):

-Z(CODE)CRC=0x892-0x893

And then in your code:

#pragma location="CRC"
const CODE uint16 checkSum = 0x1234;

Best Regards,

R.M

0 Jan Gustav Heber over 4 years ago in reply to R.M

Expert 1095 points

Hi!

Thanks for the suggested answer, but I don't think this will solve the problem. I guess this covers the case for a non-modifiable value CONST. In my case however, this will be modified in case of a OAD is needed or has completed. This will make the BIM image to be able to switch between the two images (A and B). Maybe there is a way to overcome that problem. I see in this thread https://e2e.ti.com/support/wireless-connectivity/bluetooth/f/538/t/398305?HOWTO-Adding-unique-identifier-to-CC2540-CC2541-editing-hex-after-compiling-, that python is used to modify the flash content, however it looks like the output format differs from the format of the input file. Maybe it has to do with the intel-extended format.

Best regards,

Jan

0 R.M over 4 years ago in reply to Jan Gustav Heber

TI__Genius 9215 points

Hi Jan,

If you just want to change one value in a hex file and you know the address I guess the easiest is to open it in a test editor and change it manually.

There are several test editors that have hex editor build-in or as a add-on.

Best Regards,

R.M

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CC2540: Setting a fixed value to given address in hex file