Linker Placement (RAM_START and RAM_SIZE) in SES 3.34: how to modify?

[rdpoor]

I'm following the Custom BLE Service Example, and using:

• Segger Embedded Studio Release 3.34a
• macOS 10.13.4 (aka High Sierra)
• nRF52 DK (PCA10040, nRF52832)
• nRF5_SDK_15.0.0_a53641a

I downloaded the git repository verbatim and the project builds without error.  But when I download and run it, it dies inside the function:

main() => peer_manager_init() => pm_init() => pds_init() => fds_init()

with an FDS_ERR_NO_PAGES error.

My guess is that this is because I did not set RAM_START to 0x20002220 and RAM_SIZE to 0xDDE0 in the linker placement file, as instructed by the README file, which says to open Project => Edit Options => Common Configuration and then select Linker => Section Placement Macros.

The problem with that is that, in my case, Edit Options shows only a Code section, not a Linker section.

My questions are therefore:

• Am I correct that the crash is (probably) because I haven't modified the RAM_START and RAM_SIZE placement macros?
• If so, how do I modify those values?

[Turbo J]

FDS_ERR_NO_PAGES has nothing to do with RAM, its about your FLASH memory settings. Basically there is not enough free space between your app area and top-of-flash/bootloader.

[rdpoor]

Thanks for the clarification.  Is there a fix?  Or are you saying (indirectly) that the https://github.com/bjornspockeli/custom_ble_service_example example won't run on the nRF52832?

[Turbo J]

Just try to play a bit with LENGTH parameter of the flash in the linker script.

[bjorn-spockeli]

rdpoor: The custom_ble_service_example should run without any issues on the nRF52832. There should be a Linker subsection under the Code section, if not, then please upload a screenshot of the Options window.  

Could you also attach the ble_app_template_gcc_nrf52.ld (linker script) file found in custom_ble_service_example-master\pca10040\s132\armgcc ?

Best regards

Bjørn 

[rdpoor]

Hello Bjørn!

Here's the screenshot of the window I get by clicking Project => Edit Options...

And the contents of ble_pp_template_gcc_nfr52.ld are as follows:

/* Linker script to configure memory regions. */

SEARCH_DIR(.)
GROUP(-lgcc -lc -lnosys)

MEMORY
{
  FLASH (rx) : ORIGIN = 0x26000, LENGTH = 0x5a000
  RAM (rwx) :  ORIGIN = 0x20002220, LENGTH = 0xdde0
}

SECTIONS
{
}

SECTIONS
{
  . = ALIGN(4);
  .mem_section_dummy_ram :
  {
  }
  .log_dynamic_data :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_log_dynamic_data = .);
    KEEP(*(SORT(.log_dynamic_data*)))
    PROVIDE(__stop_log_dynamic_data = .);
  } > RAM
  .fs_data :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_fs_data = .);
    KEEP(*(.fs_data))
    PROVIDE(__stop_fs_data = .);
  } > RAM
  .cli_sorted_cmd_ptrs :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_cli_sorted_cmd_ptrs = .);
    KEEP(*(.cli_sorted_cmd_ptrs))
    PROVIDE(__stop_cli_sorted_cmd_ptrs = .);
  } > RAM

} INSERT AFTER .data;

SECTIONS
{
  .mem_section_dummy_rom :
  {
  }
  .sdh_soc_observers :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_sdh_soc_observers = .);
    KEEP(*(SORT(.sdh_soc_observers*)))
    PROVIDE(__stop_sdh_soc_observers = .);
  } > FLASH
  .pwr_mgmt_data :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_pwr_mgmt_data = .);
    KEEP(*(SORT(.pwr_mgmt_data*)))
    PROVIDE(__stop_pwr_mgmt_data = .);
  } > FLASH
  .sdh_ble_observers :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_sdh_ble_observers = .);
    KEEP(*(SORT(.sdh_ble_observers*)))
    PROVIDE(__stop_sdh_ble_observers = .);
  } > FLASH
  .log_const_data :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_log_const_data = .);
    KEEP(*(SORT(.log_const_data*)))
    PROVIDE(__stop_log_const_data = .);
  } > FLASH
    .nrf_balloc :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_nrf_balloc = .);
    KEEP(*(.nrf_balloc))
    PROVIDE(__stop_nrf_balloc = .);
  } > FLASH
  .sdh_state_observers :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_sdh_state_observers = .);
    KEEP(*(SORT(.sdh_state_observers*)))
    PROVIDE(__stop_sdh_state_observers = .);
  } > FLASH
  .sdh_stack_observers :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_sdh_stack_observers = .);
    KEEP(*(SORT(.sdh_stack_observers*)))
    PROVIDE(__stop_sdh_stack_observers = .);
  } > FLASH
  .sdh_req_observers :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_sdh_req_observers = .);
    KEEP(*(SORT(.sdh_req_observers*)))
    PROVIDE(__stop_sdh_req_observers = .);
  } > FLASH
    .nrf_queue :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_nrf_queue = .);
    KEEP(*(.nrf_queue))
    PROVIDE(__stop_nrf_queue = .);
  } > FLASH
    .cli_command :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_cli_command = .);
    KEEP(*(.cli_command))
    PROVIDE(__stop_cli_command = .);
  } > FLASH
  .crypto_data :
  {
    PROVIDE(__start_crypto_data = .);
    KEEP(*(SORT(.crypto_data*)))
    PROVIDE(__stop_crypto_data = .);
  } > FLASH

} INSERT AFTER .text

INCLUDE "nrf_common.ld"