Configuration

Configuration
	Chapter 277. Atmel ATSAMA5D3 Variant HAL

Overview

Startup

The SAMA5D3 variant HAL package supports four separate startup types for application configuration:

ROMRAM

This startup type is for stand-alone applications that are loaded into external DDR2-SDRAM via a second-level boot loader (e.g. the default SAMA5D3x-CM based AT91BootLoader, or the eCosPro BootUp loader), or via a JTAG/SWD hardware debugger. The data and BSS areas will be put into suitable memory locations as defined by the relevant platform HAL linker script. The application will be self-contained with no dependencies on services provided by other software. The eCos startup code will perform all necessary hardware initialization.

	Note
	The application is copied from its persistent location by the second-level application bootloader, or is directly loaded to RAM via a JTAG/SWD hardware debugger. The `ROMRAM` startup code does not perform the copy to RAM itself.

SRAM

This startup type is used for stand-alone applications. The application will be loaded from a suitable supported “bootable” device by the on-chip first-level (RomBOOT) bootloader, or directly via a hardware (JTAG/SWD) debugger. The application will be self-contained with no dependencies on services provided by other software. It is not envisaged that the SRAM startup type will normally be used for full applications, primarily being used for developing RomBOOT loaded second-level bootloaders. However, it can be useful for small platform verification tests loaded via JTAG.

ROM

This startup type is used for stand-alone applications which will be programmed into bootable memory located in the EBI_CS0 space from 0x10000000. The data and BSS areas will be put into suitable memory as defined by the relevant platform HAL linker script. The application will be self-contained with no dependencies on services provided by other software. The program expects to boot from reset with the EBI_CS0 space mapped from location zero. It will then transfer control to the 0x10000000 region. The eCos startup code will perform all necessary hardware initialization.

RAM

This startup type is used for RAM based applications that are dependent on a “debug” monitor (e.g. RedBoot or GDB stubs) for some run-time services. By default the application will use the eCos virtual vectors mechanism to obtain services from the monitor, including diagnostic output. Normally arm-eabi-gdb is used to load a RAM startup application into memory, and then to debug it. It is assumed that the hardware has already been initialized by the relevant debug monitor.

This startup type can be useful during development, since it allows debugging applications where a hardware debug solution is not available.

RedBoot and Virtual Vectors

If the application is intended to act as a ROM monitor, providing services for other applications, then the configuration option CYGSEM_HAL_ROM_MONITOR should be set. Typically this option is set only when Building RedBoot.

If the application is supposed to make use of services provided by a ROM monitor, via the eCos virtual vector mechanism, then the configuration option CYGSEM_HAL_USE_ROM_MONITOR should be set. By default this option is enabled when building for a RAM startup, and disabled otherwise.

If the application does not rely on a ROM monitor for diagnostic services then, by default, the on-chip DBGU serial port will be used for HAL diagnostic output.

RedBoot Location

RedBoot can be used in conjunction with the host debugger arm-eabi-gdb to load and debug applications configured for the RAM startup type. Depending on the product requirements the RedBoot binary can either be executed in-situ from the NOR flash, or loaded dynamically into the DDR2-SDRAM for execution.

The ROMRAM RedBoot diagram shows the memory layout for a RAM resident RedBoot. The RedBoot binary is loaded into its final DDR2-SDRAM location either via a second-level boot loader (e.g. BootUp) or directly using a hardware debugger.

	Note
	The addresses shown in the following diagrams are based on the default linker script values.

Figure 277.1. ROMRAM RedBoot

An illustration of a ROMRAM RedBoot executing from DDR2-SDRAM

Any application can be configured for the ROM startup type, and when stored from offset 0 in the NOR flash (mapped to address 0x10000000) the CPU can be configured (via BMS_BIT=1) to execute the code upon reset. The application does not need to be a debug monitor, but can be the final application if required.

The ROM RedBoot diagram shows the memory layout for a NOR flash resident RedBoot.

Figure 277.2. ROM RedBoot

An illustration of a ROM RedBoot executing from NOR flash


DMA Support		Test Programs

Name

Overview

Startup

RedBoot and Virtual Vectors

RedBoot Location