Hello,
I am aiming to develop a custom system based on ARM Cortex-M3 core. This chip will contain some CMSDK default peripherals, but also custom peripherals not present in CMSDK.
How can I simulate the behavior of these peripherals when debugging with Keil uVision since I have no physical target hardware yet?
Thanks in advance.
Hi ViniciusG,
there are different ways to simulate a Cortex-M3 with peripherals in Keil uVision.
First of all, I would recommend you to look at this example:
- start the MDK Pack Installer and select the device "CMSDK_CM3" on the left pane (Tab: Devices) by opening ARM -> ARM Cortex M3. On the right pane (Tab: Packs), install "Keil::V2M-MPS2_CMx_BSP" version .1.7.0.- on the right pane, then select the "Examples" tab and copy and start the example: "Blinky - CMSDK_CM3 (V2M-MPS2)"- This project contains 3 targets. The targets 'Fast Models' and 'Simulator' are probably the two interesting ones for you
1) You can use the Fixed Virtual Platform (VFP) simulator in uVision (example target 'Fast Models') (see https://developer.arm.com/products/system-design/fast-models). You need a MDK-Pro license to work with the predefined VFPs which are shipped with MDK-Pro. If you start this simulator, you will see another window open which simulates the LCD of a MPS2 board. The system viewer window shows you some peripherals like UARTs.
If you have a full license for VFPs, you can write models for additional peripherals. uVision can also connect to a stand-alone running VFP simulator if the CADI interface is enabled. Please see: http://www.keil.com/support/man/docs/fstmdls/fstmdls_debug_cfg.htm
2) You can also select the “Simulator” target. This uses the Keil simulation. This simulator supports the Cortex-M3 core and some basic peripherals like interrupt controller, system timer, the MPU, but no UART or IO port.
You can extend the Cortex-M3 Keil simulation via AGSI interface (see http://www.keil.com/appnotes/docs/apnt_196.asp).
Are you working with a DesignStart project?
Please let us know if you have further questions.
Hans
Hi Hans,
Thank you very much for your reply.
Yes, I am working with a DesignStart project.
I am really interested in using Fast Models to write models for the additional peripherals.
You have mentioned a 'full license for FVPs'. Is the MDK-Pro license itself enough for that or I must have an additional license?
I am trying to download the evaluation version here https://developer.arm.com/products/system-design/fast-models just to get in touch with the tool but the link is not working.
I would also like to ask about the model creation. Is there any reference or guide on how to create models for System Canvas? I have already some IP's written in Verilog, if there is a way to use these as inputs for System Canvas that would be great.
Thanks again!
Vinícius.
You are on the right track, the Fast Model product would allow you to take the FVP_MPS2 platform and add a component to it.
ViniciusG said:I am trying to download the evaluation version here https://developer.arm.com/products/system-design/fast-models just to get in touch with the tool but the link is not working.
Can you describe what is failing when you try to download the eval version?
Can you try with this more direct link: https://silver.arm.com/browse/FE000-KT-00001 ?
ViniciusG said:I would also like to ask about the model creation. Is there any reference or guide on how to create models for System Canvas? I have already some IP's written in Verilog, if there is a way to use these as inputs for System Canvas that would be great.
Fast Models are transaction level models, they would not support models written at RTL level in Verilog, and we don't provide tools to wrap these. There are some hybrid solutions from other EDA vendors that may be able to do this, but I don't know the details. But they probably would not provide the MPS2 platform directly.
Assuming your component is not too complex, you can rewrite a functional description of it in LISA+ or SystemC/TLM and add it to your FVP_MPS2 model directly.
Regards,
Simon
Hi Simon,
Simon Inizan said:Can you describe what is failing when you try to download the eval version?
I used to get an error page when clicking on "Evaluate for Windows", but now it started to work somehow. I am downloading it now. Thank you!
I am just wondering about the licenses. It's not clear enough for me yet if just the MDK-Pro license is sufficient for writing new components and simulate them with Keil uVision...
Hi Vinicius,
ViniciusG said:I am just wondering about the licenses. It's not clear enough for me yet if just the MDK-Pro license is sufficient for writing new components and simulate them with Keil uVision...
No, you will need a Fast Models license to create the custom model and to run it afterwards, the MDK-Pro license won't include this.
You will be able to run this model within U-Vision: http://www.keil.com/support/man/docs/fstmdls/fstmdls_debug_cfg.htm
Since another license is needed for Fast Models, could I simulate the custom platform in uVision with just a MDK Essencial license instead of the Professional one?
BR,
as I said in my first answer to you in paragraph 2), you can use the built-in uVision simulator as well. The simulator works in every MDK edition (also MDK Essential), even in MDK-Lite with a 32K application code size limit.
But, if I got it right, the built-in uVision simulator won't be able to simulate my custom hardware, is that correct?
That's why I asked about the creation of my own custom simulator, and the possibility of using this simulator in uVision with the MDK Essential license. Just to be sure if I am restricted to the Professional license option.
ViniciusG said:But, if I got it right, the built-in uVision simulator won't be able to simulate my custom hardware, is that correct?
No, as I said in my first answer, the uVision simulator can be extended via AGSI interface (see http://www.keil.com/appnotes/docs/apnt_196.asp) to simulate your custom hardware/peripherals. The application note shows how to do that and provides a Microsoft Visual Studio example project.
ViniciusG said:That's why I asked about the creation of my own custom simulator, and the possibility of using this simulator in uVision with the MDK Essential license. Just to be sure if I am restricted to the Professional license option
The MDK professional license is only needed for the Fixed Virtual Platform (Fast Models) simulator. Please see our compare MDK editions table (http://www2.keil.com/mdk5/selector) for more details. All MDK editions support the uVision simulator and the possibility to extend it via AGSI interface. The MDK Lite only supports up to 32K application code.