Problems with IAR 8.20 with SDK 15.0.0

[Stoni]

Hello,

I tried to port my projekt into SDK 15.0.0. During the compilation process I often get the warning:

Warning: The header file 'cmsis_iar.h' is obsolete and should not be used. A sutiable version is automatically included from the CMSIS-core package.This file will be removed in a future release.

Is there something wrong with my configuration?

Another problem happens during debugging. I often run into an HardFault exception. Also with the examples.

HardFault exception.
The processor has escalated a configurable-priority exception to HardFault.
Exception occured at: 0xffffffff
See the call stack for more information.

The call stack don't give me any usefull informations. Also the place where the HardFault happens is not really localizeable. Is this a general problem or is there someting wrong with my configuration? I use the standard configuration of the example projects.

Maybe it is the wrong IAR-Version? For which IAR Version are the examples of SDK 15.0.0?

Thank you very much for your support in advance and best regards

Thomas

[Rune Holmgren]

Hi,

The release is targeting IAR 7.80.4. I recommend trying that version if you are having issues. That being said, it is typically possible to run projects on IAR 8.20.X.

The release notes for nRF5 SDK 15.0.0 available within the SDK at "nRF5_SDK_15.0.0_a53641a/documentation/release_notes.txt" states the following:

"The following toolchains/devices have been used for testing and
verification:
- ARM: MDK-ARM version 5.18a
- GCC: GCC ARM Embedded 6.3 2017-q2-update
- IAR: IAR Workbench 7.80.4 (IAR 8 - see note below)
- SES: SES 3.34
- Linux: Ubuntu 17.04, Kernel 4.10.0.
- Jlink: 6.22g
    
*****
Note for IAR 8 users:
Libraries for IAR 8 require wchar_t to be of size 32 bits while IAR 7 requires 16 bits.
To run a project using IAR 8, follow these intructions:
 - Open the IAR project in IAR 8. The IAR workbench will automatically generate an IAR 8 compatible project file.
 - If the project contains one of the precompiled libraries listed below, replace it with the IAR 8 compatible alternative
   (there are no projects targeting nRF51 in this SDK).
 - Save the project.
 - When building the project, you might get the warning: "The header file 'cmsis_iar.h' is obsolete and should not be used. ....".
   The problem is described in DevZone post: devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../iar-ewarm-8-22-1-complains-about-cmsis_iar-h
   The solution is to remove all occurrences of #include <cmsis_iar.h>.

The affected libraries are
- micro-ecc crypto:
    - IAR 7: Includes the library located in the folder named "…_iar\…".
    - IAR 8: Switch to using the library from the folder named "…_armgcc\…".
- nrf_cc310, nrf_cc310_bl, and nrf_oberon:
    - IAR 7: Includes the library where "_short_wchar_" is part of the file name.
    - IAR 8: Switch to using the library with similar naming, but where the "short_wchar" is removed.
- Gazell, NFC Tag, and 802.15.4:
    - IAR 7: Includes the library where the file name ends with "_iar".
    - IAR 8: Switch to using the library with similar file name that ends with "_gcc".
*****

"

Best regards,
Rune Holmgren

[Stoni]

Okay thank you very much. This information was very helpful.

[Sridhar Jonnavittula]

Hi stoni,

I also face this issue (The processor has escalated a configurable-priority exception to HardFault) but only in examples I modified. I am using IAR workbench for ARM 8.22.2. Did you move to nordic specified version or resolved issues with IAR what you have worked with. If that is the case please tell me the solution.

[JMinack]

Hi Thomas,

I am seeing exactly the same problem. Setup:

        - IAR 8.22.1
        - SDK 15.0.0
        - Running ble_app_uart example project

I see the same hard fault during debugging. What is worse for me is that IAR then crashes and requires a restart.

Rune: Could you please clarify how to determine whether IAR is using one of the libraries mentioned in the release note? When I look at Options->Linker->Library, the Additional Libraries field is empty.

Regards

John