Getting Started with the MIMXRT595-EVK

Building and running a DSP demo

The RT500 SDK provides a collection of DSP example applications. Each DSP example has two source directories, one for the ARM CM33 and one for the DSP Fusion F1.

In order to debug a DSP demo you will need to follow two processes. The first one is to build and flash the CM33 application to your MIMXRT595-EVK. The second one is to build and debug the DSP application using Xtensa Xplorer IDE.

Build and Flash Cortex-M33 Application

The following steps will guide you through the mu_polling application using MCUXpresso IDE for the Cortex-M33 application. The MCUXpresso IDE installation can be found at the section “2. Get Software” of this Getting Started guide.

1. Open the MCUXpresso IDE.
2. Switch to the Installed SDKs view within the MCUXpresso IDE window.
3. Drag and drop the MIMXRT595-EVK SDK (zipped) file into the Installed SDKs view.
4. You will get the following pop-up. Click on OK to continue the import:
5. The installed SDK will appear in the Installed SDKs view as shown below:
6. Find the Quickstart Panel in the lower left-hand corner.
7. Then click on Import SDK example(s)…
8. Click on the evkmimxrt595 board to select that you want to import an example that can run on that board, and then click on Next.
9. Use the arrow button to expand the dsp_examples category, and then click the checkbox next to dsp_mu_polling_cm33 to select that project. To use the UART for printing (instead of the default semihosting), select UART as the SDK Debug Console checkbox under the project options. Then, click on Finish.
10. Verify the DSP_IMAGE_COPY_TO_RAM macro value. To do this, go to project properties doing right click on the project.
11. Open C/C++ Build option and select Settings.
12. Once in there, into the Tool Settings, select the Preprocessor folder and change the value of DSP_COPY_IMAGE_TO_RAM to 0.
13. Apply and Close.
14. Select the project and build it.
15. The project will build without problems.
16. Connect the board to your computer with the micro USB to J40 'LINK USB' port.
17. Download the application to your MIMXRT595-EVK.
18. Select the J-Link debug probe.
19. Run the application.

Build and Debug the DSP application

The following steps will guide you through the mu_polling application using Xtensa Xplorer IDE for the DSP. The Xtensa Xplorer IDE installation can be found at the section “2. Get Software” of this Getting Started guide.

1. Open Xtensa Xplorer IDE.
2. Import the “mu_polling” demo on your workspace. File → Import
3. Select Existing Projects into Workspace.
4. Use the Browse button and select the mu_polling dsp demo on the SDK. Make sure the path name does not contain any spaces.
   The path is: “<SDK install dir> \boards\evkmimxrt595\dsp_examples\mu_polling\dsp”
5. Once imported, you will see 'dsp_mu_polling_fusionf1' in the Project Explorer. This project includes the code for the DSP. You can see the main function at source → main_dsp.c.
6. To build the DSP application you must set the following configuration (use the drop down buttons on the menu bar):
7. Build the application by doing click on the “Build Active” button
8. The build should complete without errors. If there are errors, verify that the SDK directory path does not contain any spaces.
9. Open a command prompt on the following location: “C:\Program Files (x86)\Tensilica\Xtensa OCD Daemon 14.01” and execute the following command: “xt-ocd.exe -c topology.xml”. You should see the following:
10. Open the terminal application on the PC (such as PuTTY or Tera Term) and connect to the debug COM port you determined earlier. Configure the terminal with these settings:
    • 115200 baud rate
    • No parity
    • 8 data bits
    • 1 stop bit
11. Go to Xtensa Xplorer IDE and use the Debug action button to open the Debug Configuration.
12. Please select the dsp_mu_polling Xtensa On Chip Debug. And Click on Debug.
13. A new window will be opened asking to download the application to the core 0. Click Yes.
14. Xtensa Xplorer will transition to the Debug perspective.
15. Click on 'Resume' button to start the program.
16. You should see the RED RGB LED D19 blinking and the following on the terminal:
17. Click on 'Terminate' button to stop the debugging session on Xtensa Xplorer IDE.
18. Stop the debugger on the MCUXpresso IDE running the CM33 application.

Build an Example Application

The following steps will guide you through opening the mu_polling application. This application consists of code for both the Cortex M33 and the DSP core. The instructions for compiling and debugging the Cortex M33 core are covered in the instructions below.

Instructions for compiling and debugging the DSP code can be found in Section 2 of the “Use MCUXpresso IDE” tutorial. These steps may change slightly for other example applications as some of these applications may have additional layers of folders in their path.

Please use IAR Embedded Workbench for Arm version 8.50.9 or above.

1. First, unzip the previously downloaded RT500 SDK package.
2. Open the desired example application workspace. Most example application workspace files can be located using the following path: <install_dir>/boards/<sdk_board_name>/<example_type>/<application_name>/iar

   Using the mu_polling demo as an example, the path is:

   <install_dir>/boards/evkmimxrt595/dsp_examples/mu_polling/cm33/iar
3. Select the desired build target from the drop-down. For this example, select the “dsp_mu_polling_cm33 - debug” target.
4. Change DSP_IMAGE_COPY_TO_RAM macro value to 0. Open the project properties by doing a right-click on the project and selecting Options.
5. Click on C/C++ Compiler and select Preprocessor. Change the DSP_IMAGE_COPY_TO_RAM to 0.
6. Now go to Assembler, select the Preprocessor option, and change the same macro.
7. Now go to the Debugger section and change the debugger driver to Jlink. Press the OK button.
8. To build the application, click the “Make” button, highlighted in red below. >
9. The build will complete without errors.

   Note: In case of building errors, make sure that the correct board is selected, right-click in the Project >> Options >> General Options >> Target >> Device, Select the NXP MIMXRT595S_M33; this board is supported in IAR Embedded Workbench for Arm version 8.50.9 or higher.

   

Run an Example Application

The LPC-Link2 circuit on the board should have been updated to use the J-Link interface during Step 2.4 “LPCScrypt” of the Getting Started website. See that section of the Getting Started website for more details on using LPCScrypt to update the debug firmware on the board to use the J-Link interface if this has not already been done.

1. 1. Connect the development platform to your PC via USB cable to J40 “Link USB”. Ensure the DFULink jumper (JP1) is removed when powering the board.
   2. Click the "Download and Debug" button to download the application to the target.
   3. The application is then downloaded to the target and automatically runs to the main() function.
   4. Run the code by clicking the "Go" button to start the application.
   5. The mu_polling_cm33 application is now running on the Cortex-M33.
2. Build and Debug the DSP Application

   To build and debug the code for the DSP part of this application, open the “Use MCUXpresso IDE” tutorial and follow the instructions starting at “2. Build and Debug the DSP Application”.

Set Up Toolchain

This section contains the steps to install the necessary components required to build and run a KSDK demo application with the ARM GCC toolchain, as supported by the MCUXpresso SDK. There are many ways to use ARM GCC tools, but this example focuses on a Windows environment. Though not discussed here, GCC tools can also be used with both Linux OS and Mac OSX.

Please use GCC ARM Embedded version 9-2020-q2.

Install GNU-RM ARM Embedded Toolchain

Download and run the installer from: GNU Arm Embedded Toolchain Downloads . This is the GNU Arm Embedded Toolchain (i.e., compiler, linker, etc.) which includes the GNU compiler (GCC).

Install MinGW

The Minimalist GNU for Windows (MinGW) development tools provide a set of tools that are not dependent on third party C-Runtime DLLs (such as Cygwin). The build environment used by the KSDK does not utilize the MinGW build tools, but does leverage the base install of both MinGW and MSYS. MSYS provides a basic shell with a Unix-like interface and tools.

1. Download the latest MinGW mingw-get-setup installer from MinGW - Minimalist GNU for Windows Files .
2. Run the installer. The recommended installation path is C:\MinGW, however, you may install to any location.

   Note: The installation path cannot contain any spaces.

3. Ensure that the "mingw32-base" and "msys-base" are selected under Basic Setup.
4. Click "Apply Changes" in the "Installation" menu and follow the remaining instructions to complete the installation.
5. Add the appropriate item to the Windows operating system Path environment variable. It can be found under Control Panel → System → Advanced System Settings in the "Environment Variables..." section. The path is: <mingw_install_dir>\bin

   Assuming the default installation path, C:\MinGW, an example is shown below. If the path is not set correctly, the toolchain does not work.

   Note: If you have "C:\MinGW\msys\x.x\bin" in your PATH variable (as required by KSDK 1.0.0), remove it to ensure that the new GCC build system works correctly.

   

Add a New Environment Variable for ARMGCC_DIR

Create a new system environment variable and name it ARMGCC_DIR. The value of this variable should point to the ARM GCC Embedded tool chain installation path, which, for this example, is:

C:\Program Files (x86)\GNU Tools ARM Embedded\<version>

Reference the installation folder of the GNU ARM GCC Embedded tools for the exact path name of your installation.

Install CMake

1. Download the newest version of CMake from: CMake.
2. Install CMake, ensuring that the option "Add CMake to system PATH" is selected when installing. It's up to the user to select whether it's installed into the PATH for all users or just the current user. In this example, the assumption is that it's installed for all users.
3. Follow the remaining instructions of the installer.
4. You may need to reboot your system for the PATH changes to take effect.

Build an Example Application

To build an example application, follow these steps.

1. Open the next directory on the file explorer '<SDK Install dir> \boards\evkmimxrt595\dsp_examples\mu_polling\cm33\armgcc' and open flags.cmake file.
2. Edit the next sections, changing the value of DDSP_IMAGE_COPY_TO_RAM to 0:
   1. CMAKE_ASM_FLAGS_DEBUG
   2. CMAKE_C_FLAGS_DEBUG
3. If not already running, open a GCC ARM Embedded tool chain command window. To launch the window, from the Windows operating system Start menu, go to “Programs → GNU Tools ARM Embedded <version>” and select “GCC Command Prompt”.
4. Change the directory to the example application project directory, which has a path like this: <install_dir>/boards/<board_name>/<example_type>/<application_name>/armgcc

   For this guide, the exact path is:

   <install_dir>/boards/evkmimxrt685/dsp_examples/mu_polling/cm33/armgcc
5. Type “build_debug.bat” on the command line or double click on the "build_debug.bat" file in Windows operating system Explorer to perform the build. The output is shown in this figure:

   When finished, a .elf will be created inside a folder named 'debug' on the project directory.

Run an Example Application

The GCC tools require a J-Link debug interface. To update the OpenSDA firmware on your board to the latest J-Link app, visit OpenSDA. After installing the J-Link OpenSDA application, download the J-Link driver and software package from: Segger.

1. Connect the development platform to your PC via USB cable to J40 “Link USB”. Ensure the DFULink jumper (JP1) is removed when powering the board.
2. Open the J-Link GDB Server application. Assuming the J-Link software is installed, the application can be launched by "C:\Program Files (x86)\SEGGER\ J-Link <version> \ J-Link GDB Server".
3. Modify the target device selection chosen for this example to “MIMXRT595S_M33” and use the SWD interface.

   *Your device serial number may be different. You can obtain the device serial number, by opening Jlink.exe (with your MIMXRT595 already connected through J40).

   
4. After it is connected, the screen should resemble this figure:
5. If not already running, open a GCC ARM Embedded tool chain command window. To launch the window, from the Windows operating system Start menu, go to "Programs → GNU Tools ARM Embedded <version>" and select "GCC Command Prompt".
6. Change to the directory that contains the demo application output. The output can be found in using one of these paths, depending on the build target selected:

   <install_dir>/boards/<board_name>/<example_type>/<application_name>/armgcc/debug

   <install_dir>/boards/<board_name>/<example_type>/<application_name>/armgcc/release

   For this guide, the path is:

   <install_dir>/boards/evkmimxrt595\dsp_examples\mu_polling\cm33\armgcc\debug

7. Run the command "arm-none-eabi-gdb.exe <demo_name>.elf". For this example, it is "arm-none-eabi-gdb.exe dsp_mu_polling_cm33.elf".
8. Run the next gdb commands:
   • "target remote localhost:2331"
   • "load"
   • “monitor reset”
9. Execute the "monitor go" command to start the example application.

   The mu_polling cm33 application is now running.

Build the DSP Application

To build and debug the DSP application follow the instructions of chapter “2. Build the DSP Application” at MCUXpresso tutorial on this same section.

Build an Example Application

The following steps will guide you through the manipulation of the general-purpose outputs. The example sets up a SCTimer to generate a PWM signal and change a LED brightness.

1. Find the Quickstart Panel in the lower left-hand corner
2. Then click on Import SDK examples(s)…
3. Click on the evkmimxrt595 board to select that you want to import an example that can run on that board, and then click on Next.
4. Use the arrow button to expand the driver_examples category, then expand the sctimer examples, click on the check box next to sctimer_pwm_with_dutycycle_change to select it. To use the UART for printing (instead of the default semihosting), Select UART as the SDK Debug Console checkbox under the project options. Then, click on Finish.
5. Click on the “evkmimxrt595_sctimer_pwm_with_duty_cycle_change” project in the Project Explorer View and build, compile, and run the demo as described previously
6. You should see the RED LED changing the brightness.

   Note:. On “Use Pin Tool” tutorial you will learn how to change the LED output pin of the board.

7. Terminate the debug session

The following steps will guide you through the manipulation of the general-purpose outputs. The example sets up a SCTimer to generate a PWM signal and change a LED brightness.

1. Open the MCUXpresso Config Tool
2. In the wizard that comes up, select the “Create a new configuration based on an SDK example or hello word project” radio button and click on Next.
3. On the next screen, select the location of the MCUXpresso SDK that you had unzipped earlier. Then select the IDE that is being used. Note that only IDEs that were selected in the online SDK builder when the SDK was built will be available and click on clone select example

   Then select the project to clone. For this example, we want to use the gpio led output project. You can filter for this by typing “sctimer” in the filter box and then selecting the “sctimer_pwm_with_dutycycle_change” example project. You can then also specify where to clone the project and the name. Then click on Finish.

   
4. After cloning go to the directory you selected and open the project for your IDE. Import, compile, and run the project as done in previous sections
5. You should see the RED LED changing the brightness

   Note: On “Use Pin Tool” tutorial you will learn how to change the LED output pin of the board.

6. Terminate the debug session

Note: Previously, you had to clone an SDK project like in the previous step.

To open pin tools in MCUXpresso IDE:

1. Open the pins tool by right clicking on the “evkmimxrt595_sctimer_pwm_with_dutycycle_change”project, and selecting “MCUXpresso Config Tools” and then “Open Pins”
2. The pins tool should now display the pin configuration for the sct project

To open pin tools in MCUXpresso Config tools:

1. Open the MCUXpresso Config Tool
2. In the wizard that comes up, select the “Open existing configuration” radio button, then select the project that you had clone and click on Next
3. Open the pins tool by selecting Tools->Pins from the toolbar
4. The pins tool should now display the pin configuration for the sctimer project

Use the pins tools to modify the LED routed pin:

1. We'll use MCUXpresso IDE for the rest of the instructions, but the same steps can be done in MCUXpresso Config tools for third party IDEs. In the Pins view deselect “Show dedicated pins” and “Show no routed pins” checkboxes to see only the routed pins. Routed pins have a check in a green box next to the pin name. The functions selected for each routed pin are highlighted in green
2. In the current configuration, PIO0_14 is routed as a SCT0_OUT0. Let's disable, PIO0_14, and change the mux setting of PIO1_0 to use its SCT0_OUT7 functionality
3. Disable PIO0_14 by clicking the “SCT0_OUT0” field under the SCT column. A new window will appear. Deselect the SCT0_OUT0 checkbox and click on Done. The pin will then be disabled (pin will no longer have check in box) and thus disappear from the list
4. Now, route PIO1_0 as a SCT_OUT7. First, select the “Show not routed pins” so that all the pins are displayed again. Then, search PIO1_0 in the pins view. Finally, click the box under the SCT column “SCT_OUT7”. The box will highlight in green, and a check will appear next to the pin
5. Now it's time to implement these changes into the project by exporting the new updated pin_mux.c and pin_mux.h files that are generated by the Pins tool. Click on Update Project in the menu bar
6. The screen that pops up will show the files that are changing and you can click on “diff” to see the difference between the current file and the new file generated by the Pins tool. Click on “OK” to overwrite the new files into your project

   Note: The clocks and other files may also be tagged as being updated since the header has been changed.

   
7. Now inside the IDE, open the pin_mux.c file under board folder
8. Search for BOARD_InitPins(void) function. Note that when we change the sct routed pin in the tool the PIO0_14 was selected and configured as SCT_OUT (red led). Now, we have the declaration of PIO1_0 and configured as SCT_OUT (green led)
9. Open sctimer_update_dutycycle.c file and change macro DEMO_SCTIMER_OUT to kSCTIMER_Out_7
10. Build and download the project as done in the previous section
11. Run the application. You should now see the GREEN LED changing the brightness
12. Terminate the debug session

Note: Previously, you had to clone an SDK project like in the previous step.

To open pin tools in MCUXpresso IDE:

1. Open the pins tool by right clicking on the “evkmimxrt595_sctimer_pwm_with_dutycycle_change”project, and selecting “MCUXpresso Config Tools” and then “Open Pins”
2. The pins tool should now display the pin configuration for the sct project.

To open pin tools in MCUXpresso Config tools:

1. Open the MCUXpresso Config Tool.
2. In the wizard that comes up, select the “Open existing configuration” radio button, then select the project that you had clone and click on Next.
3. Open the pins tool by selecting Tools->Pins from the toolbar.
4. The pins tool should now display the pin configuration for the sctimer project.

Use the pins tools to modify the LED routed pin:

1. We'll use MCUXpresso IDE for the rest of the instructions, but the same steps can be done in MCUXpresso Config tools for third party IDEs. In the Pins view deselect “Show dedicated pins” and “Show no routed pins” checkboxes to see only the routed pins. Routed pins have a check in a green box next to the pin name. The functions selected for each routed pin are highlighted in green
2. In the current configuration, PIO0_14 is routed as a SCT0_OUT0. Let's disable, PIO0_14, and change the mux setting of PIO1_0 to use its SCT0_OUT7 functionality
3. Disable PIO0_14 by clicking the “SCT0_OUT0” field under the SCT column. A new window will appear. Deselect the SCT0_OUT0 checkbox and click on Done. The pin will then be disabled (pin will no longer have check in box) and thus disappear from the list
4. Now, route PIO1_0 as a SCT_OUT7. First, select the “Show not routed pins” so that all the pins are displayed again. Then, search PIO1_0 in the pins view. Finally, click the box under the SCT column “SCT_OUT7”. The box will highlight in green, and a check will appear next to the pin
5. Now it's time to implement these changes into the project by exporting the new updated pin_mux.c and pin_mux.h files that are generated by the Pins tool. Click on Update Project in the menu bar
6. The screen that pops up will show the files that are changing and you can click on “diff” to see the difference between the current file and the new file generated by the Pins tool. Click on “OK” to overwrite the new files into your project

   Note: The clocks and other files may also be tagged as being updated since the header has been changed.

   
7. Now inside the IDE, open the pin_mux.c file under board folder
8. Search for BOARD_InitPins(void) function. Note that when we change the sct routed pin in the tool the PIO0_14 was selected and configured as SCT_OUT (red led). Now, we have the declaration of PIO1_0 and configured as SCT_OUT (green led)
9. Open sctimer_update_dutycycle.c file and change macro DEMO_SCTIMER_OUT to kSCTIMER_Out_7
10. Build and download the project as done in the previous section
11. Run the application. You should now see the GREEN LED changing the brightness
12. Terminate the debug session