can't compile bootloader SES SDK v17.1.0, linker error

[RoccoBr]

Hello, 

I'm trying to compile the examples\dfu\secure_bootloader\pca10040e_s112_ble_debug\ses project, I have modified the flash placement according to the memory layout reported here:

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.nordic.infocenter.sdk5.v12.3.0%2Fble_sdk_app_buttonless_dfu.html&cp=7_5_9_4_3_2

in particular, using SoftDevice s112

Bootloader settings                           0x0002 F000 - 0x0003 0000 (4 kB)
MBR parameter storage                   0x0002 E000 - 0x0002 F000 (4 kB)
Bootloader                                        0x0002 8000 - 0x0002 E000 (24 kB)
Application area (incl. free space)    0x0001 9000 - 0x0002 8000 (60 kB)
SoftDevice                                        0x0000 1000 - 0x0001 9000 (96 kB)
Master Boot Record (MBR)              0x0000 0000 - 0x0000 1000 (4 kB)

These are the modfified settings in the flash placement

FLASH_PH_START=0x0

FLASH_PH_SIZE=0x80000

RAM_PH_START=0x20000000

RAM_PH_SIZE=0x6000

FLASH_START=0x28000

FLASH_SIZE=0x6000

RAM_START=0x200022c8

RAM_SIZE=0x3d38

but when I compile I get these errors:

C:/Program Files/SEGGER/SEGGER Embedded Studio for ARM 6.34a/gcc/arm-none-eabi/bin/ld: error: section .tdata overlaps absolute placed section .mbr_params_page
4> C:/Program Files/SEGGER/SEGGER Embedded Studio for ARM 6.34a/gcc/arm-none-eabi/bin/ld: section .mbr_params_page VMA [000000000002e000,000000000002efff] overlaps section .text VMA [00000000000283d4,000000000002e4cf]
4> C:/Program Files/SEGGER/SEGGER Embedded Studio for ARM 6.34a/gcc/arm-none-eabi/bin/ld: section .dfu_trans VMA [000000000002e4d0,000000000002e4d7] overlaps section .mbr_params_page VMA [000000000002e000,000000000002efff]
4> C:/Program Files/SEGGER/SEGGER Embedded Studio for ARM 6.34a/gcc/arm-none-eabi/bin/ld: section .bootloader_settings_page VMA [000000000002f000,000000000002ffff] overlaps section .rodata VMA [000000000002e53c,000000000002f127]

the first impression that I have is that the bootloader is much bigger than the 24kb expected.

what I'm doing wrong?

Regards,

Rocco

[Vidar Berg]

Hello Rocco,

The "debug" configuration (i.e. pca10040e_s112_ble_debug) of the bootloader will not fit within the 24K area you allocated. If you want the bootloader to be <24K, I recommend you use 'the pca10040e_s112_ble' project.

I also notice you are using Segger Embedded studio v6.34a. This version is not fully compatible with nRF5 SDK 17.1.0. Please consider using v5.42a instead. From the SDK release notes:

nRF5 SDK v17.1.0
------------------------
Release Date: August, 2021
 
...

The following toolchains/devices have been used for testing and verification:
 
 - ARM: MDK-ARM version 5.25   
 - GCC: GCC ARM Embedded 9.2020-q2.major
 - IAR: IAR Workbench 7.80.4
 - SES: SES 5.42a

Regards,

Vidar

[RoccoBr]

hi Vidar,

I have a similar error compiling the 'pca10040e_s112_ble' project using SES 5.50a

ARM 5.50a/gcc/arm-none-eabi/bin/ld: section .mbr_params_page VMA [000000000002e000,000000000002efff] overlaps section .text VMA [00000000000283d4,000000000002e2cf]
1> C:/Program Files/SEGGER/SEGGER Embedded Studio for ARM 5.50a/gcc/arm-none-eabi/bin/ld: section .dfu_trans VMA [000000000002e2d0,000000000002e2d7] overlaps section .mbr_params_page VMA [000000000002e000,000000000002efff]

I will try to install SES 5.42a as you suggested and retry to compile

[RoccoBr]

yeas, that is what I did and still have the error

[Vidar Berg]

I am not sure if I can explain the linker error then. Have you made any modifications to this project, or the SDK source files? 

[RoccoBr]

the only thing that I did was to enable the oberon backend as I haven't managed yet to compile externally the micro-ecc library

[Vidar Berg]

That explains it. The Oberon library has a larger memory footprint compared to the uECC library. To be able use this library, you will need to lower the bootloader's start address by 1 flash page.

E.g. from

FLASH_START=0x28000

FLASH_SIZE=0x6000

to

FLASH_START=0x27000

FLASH_SIZE=0x7000

Let me know if you want help with building the uECC library.

[RoccoBr]

Hi Vidar,

I managed to compile the uECC library on a linux machine, I have also downloaded again the examples and now is compiling with the settings 

FLASH_START=0x28000

FLASH_SIZE=0x6000