The “Classic” navX-MXP firmware was developed/debugging using the following software tools, which (with the exception of the Debugging hardware) are open-source or freely-available. The only component you may want to purchase is the inexpensive ST-LINK/V2 JTAG programmer/debugger described below.
NOTE: The instructions below are only for the “Classic” navX-MXP firmware.
Install Compiler
Install the free Code sourcery G++ Lite compiler for the ARM Cortex processor used in the nav-MXP.
Download URL:
https://sourcery.mentor.com/sgpp/lite/arm/portal/subscription?@template=lite
After installing, the compiler is installed into folder (32-bit Windows)
C:\Program Files\CodeSourcery\Sourcery G++ Lite
For 64-bit Windows, it is installed into:
C:\Program Files (x86)\CodeSourcery\Sourcery G++ Lite
Add the path to the “bin” director underneath the Code Sourcery G++ Lite installation directory, so that the compiler is on the path.
Install Eclipse IDE
Install the Eclipse IDE for C/C++ Developers at the following download URL:
If you already have eclipse installed w/out the C/C++ Development tools (CDT) you will need to install them, too:
CDT 8.1.2 (or later)
A URL for this software, including the CDT, is at:
https://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/eclipse-ide-cc-developers/junosr2
Install the Zylin embedded CDT Plugin
This is installed from within Eclipse, since it is an Eclipse Plugin. If you are unfamiliar with installingn Eclipse plugins, please visit this URL for more information on the process:
https://wiki.eclipse.org/FAQ_How_do_I_install_new_plug-ins%3F
Zylin Plugin Update URL: http://opensource.zylin.com/embeddedcdt.html
Import the project into Eclipse
Open up eclipse, and import the project which is contained in the navX-MXP stm32 directory in the Github repository.
Building
In Eclipse, select Project->Build. You might find it necessary to Project->Clean first to remove old build output files.
The output of the build will be placed in the stm32/Debug directory. The extension of the file will be .hex (Intel HEX Binary format).
You can either download this file via the ST Microelectronics DfuSe utility, or you can download it via the ST-LINK/V2 adapter (see instructions on debugging below).
In-Circuit Debugging (optional, but highly recommended)
ST-LINK/V2
ST-LINK/V2 JTAG in-circuit debugger was used, this is very inexpensive and works very well.
The ST-LINK/V2 can be purchased at www.digikey.com (among others) for approximately $40.
Additional utilities for the ST-LINK/V2 (for windows) are available on the STM website.
Connecting the ST-LINK/V2 to the navX-MXP Circuit Board
You will need to solder a 4-pin header to the navX-MXP board in order to connect debug on the navX-MXP’s STM32F411 microcontroller. Then, you will need to connect 4 wires from the connector to the corresponding location on the ST-LINK/V2 connector. Instructions on how to do this can be found at the following URL:
https://www.micromouseonline.com/2011/11/05/stlink-swd-for-stm32/
Install OpenOCD
In order to interface eclipse with the ST-LINK/V2 JTAG in-circuit debugger, the OpenOCD Server is used.
OpenOCD, version 0.9.0 (windows version available at
https://www.freddiechopin.info/en/articles/34-news/92-openocd-w-wersji-080)
OpenOCD includes A gdb server that runs with the ST-LINK/V2.
- MPORTANT NOTE: THe 0.9.0 release of OpenOCD contains a bugfix; earlier releases of OpenOCD from cannot communicate correctly with the STM32F411 microcontroller used in the navX-MXP. If you are not able to acquire this release of OpenOCD, please contact support@kauailabs.com for information on how to proceed.
Configure Eclipse to run OpenOCD
Run->External Tools->External Tools Configuration…
Add a new configuration, name it “OpenOCD”
In the “main” tab, under Location, provide the path to the location of Open OCD. E.g., C:\OpenOCD\openocd-09.0\bin-x64\openocd-x64-0.9.0.exe
In the same “main” tab, in the Arguments window, enter the following:
-f C:\OpenOCD\openocd-0.9.0\scripts\interface\stlink-v2.cfg -f C:\OpenOCD\openocd-0.9.0\scripts\target\stm32f4x_stlink.cfg
To start the OpenOCD Server, Select Run->ExternalTools?->OpenOCD (where OpenOCD is the name provided earlier on the “main” tab)
Once the OpenOCD Server has started, the debug session can be started.
Starting a Debug Session
6b) To start a debug session, first create a debug configuration:
- Select Run->Debug Configurations…
- Select “Zylin Embedded Debug (Cygwin)”
Then, add a new configuration (e.g., (navX-MXP OpenOCD Debug Session”); the new configuration will be a child node of Zylin Embedded Debug (Cygwin)
On the Debugger Tab:
- Set GDB Debugger to arm-none-eabi-gdb
- Set GDB Command File to <navx-mxp-distribution_directory\stm32\gdb\nav10.script
- Select “Verbose console mode”
- NOTE: You will need to edit the nav10.script file to reference your particular directory path to the “navx-mxp-distribution-directory” you unpacked the navx mxp distribution .zip into.
Once the debug configuration is created, and the open ocd session is started, start debugging via Run->Debug