STM32MP1 Developer Package

Revision as of 10:30, 22 April 2020 by Registered User

This article describes how to get and use the Developer Package of the STM32MPU Embedded Software for any development platform of the STM32MP1 family (STM32MP15 boards), in order to modify some of its pieces of software, or to add applications on top of it.

It lists some prerequisites in terms of knowledges and development environment, and gives the step-by-step approach to download and install the STM32MPU Embedded Software components for this Package.

Finally, it proposes some guidelines to upgrade (add, remove, configure, improve...) any piece of software.

Contents

1 Developer Package content[edit]

If you are not yet familiar with the STM32MPU Embedded Software distribution and its Packages, please read the following articles:

If you are already familiar with the Developer Package for the STM32MPU Embedded Software distribution, the fast links to essential commands might interest you.


To sum up, this Developer Package provides:

  • for the OpenSTLinux distribution (development on Arm® Cortex®-A processor):
    • the software development kit (SDK), based on Yocto SDK, for cross-development on an host PC
    • the following pieces of software in source code:
      • Linux® kernel
      • U-Boot
      • Trusted Firmware-A (TF-A)
      • optionally, Open source Trusted Execution Environment (OP-TEE)
    • the debug symbol files for Linux® kernel, U-Boot and TF-A
  • for the STM32Cube MPU Package (development on Arm® Cortex®-M processor):
    • all pieces of software (BSP, HAL, middlewares and applications) in source code
    • the integrated development environment (IDE) (STM32-CoPro-MPU Eclipse plugin)

Note that, the application frameworks for the OpenSTLinux distribution are not available as source code in this Package.


Components of the Developer Package

2 Developer Package step-by-step overview[edit]

The steps to get the STM32MPU Embedded Software Developer Package ready for your developments, are:
Checking the prerequisites
Installing the Starter Package for your board

Installing the components to develop software running on Arm® Cortex®-A (OpenSTLinux distribution)

Installing the SDK (mandatory for any development on Arm® Cortex®-A)
Installing the Linux kernel (mandatory only if you plan to modify the Linux kernel or to add external out-of-tree Linux kernel modules)
Installing the U-Boot (mandatory only if you plan to modify the U-Boot)
Installing the TF-A (mandatory only if you plan to modify the TF-A)
Installing the debug symbol files (mandatory only if you plan to debug Linux® kernel, U-Boot or TF-A with GDB)

Installing the components to develop software running Arm Cortex-M (STM32Cube MPU Package)

Installing the Eclipse IDE (mandatory for any development on Arm® Cortex®-M)
Installing the STM32Cube MPU Package (mandatory only if you plan to modify the Cube firmware)


Once these steps are achieved, you are able to:

3 Checking the prerequisites[edit]

3.1 Knowledges[edit]

The STM32MP1 Developer Package aims at enriching a Linux-based software for the targeted product: basic knowledges about Linux are recommended to make the most of this Package.

Having a look at the STM32MPU Embedded Software architecture overview is also highly recommended.

3.2 Development setup[edit]

The recommended setup for the development PC (host) is specified in the following article: PC prerequisites.

Whatever the development platform (board) and development PC (host) used, the range of possible development setups is illustrated by the picture below.

Development setup for Developer and Distribution Packages


The following components are mandatory:

  • Host PC for cross-compilation and cross-debugging, installed as specified above
  • Board assembled and configured as specified in the associated Starter Package article
  • Mass storage device (for example, microSD card) to load and update the software images (binaries)

The following components are optional, but recommended:

  • A serial link between the host PC (through Terminal program) and the board for traces (even early boot traces), and access to the board from the remote PC (command lines)
  • An Ethernet link between the host PC and the board for cross-development and cross-debugging through a local network. This is an alternative or a complement to the serial (or USB) link
  • A display connected to the board, depending on the technologies available on the board: DSI LCD display, HDMI monitor (or TV) and so on
  • A mouse and a keyboard connected through USB ports

Additional optional components can be added by means of the connectivity capabilities of the board: cameras, displays, JTAG, sensors, actuators, and much more.

4 Installing the Starter Package[edit]

Before developing with the Developer Package, it is essential to start up your board thanks to its Starter Package. All articles relative to Starter Packages are found in Category:Starter Package: find the one that corresponds to your board, and follow the installation instructions (if not yet done), before going further.

In brief, it means that:

  • your board boots successfully
  • the flashed image comes from the same release of the STM32MPU Embedded Software distribution than the components that will be downloaded in this article

Thanks to the Starter Package, all Flash partitions are populated.

Then, with the Developer Package, it is possible to modify or to upgrade the partitions independently one from the others.

For example, if you only want to modify the Linux kernel (part of bootfs partition), installing the SDK and the Linux kernel are enough; no need to install anything else.

5 Installing the components to develop software running on Arm Cortex-A (OpenSTLinux distribution)[edit]

5.1 Installing the SDK[edit]

Optional step: it is mandatory only if you want to modify or add software running on Arm Cortex-A (e.g. Linux kernel, Linux user space applications...).

The SDK for OpenSTLinux distribution provides a stand-alone cross-development toolchain and libraries tailored to the contents of the specific image flashed in the board. If you want to know more about this SDK, please read the SDK for OpenSTLinux distribution article.


The STM32MP1 SDK is delivered through two tarball file named :

  • en.SDK-x86_64-stm32mp1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21.tar.gz for x86_64 host architecture
  • en.SDK-aarch64-stm32mp1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21.tar.gz for arm64 host architecture

Download and install the STM32MP1 SDK. The software package is provided AS IS, and by downloading it, you agree to be bound to the terms of the software license agreement (SLA0048). The detailed content licenses can be found here.

STM32MP1 Developer Package SDK - STM32MP1-Ecosystem-v5.0.0 release
Download
  • Go on st.com to download
    • en.SDK-x86_64-stm32mp1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21.tar.gz file for x86_64 host architecture
    • en.SDK-aarch64-stm32mp1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21.tar.gz file for arm64 host architecture
Installation For x86_64 host architecture
  • Uncompress the tarball file to get the SDK installation script.
 tar xvf en.SDK-x86_64-stm32mp1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21.tar.gz
  • If needed, change the permissions on the SDK installation script so that it is executable.
 chmod +x stm32mp1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21/sdk/st-image-weston-openstlinux-weston-stm32mp1-x86_64-toolchain-4.2.1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21.sh
  • Run the SDK installation script.
    • Use the -d <SDK installation directory absolute path> option to specify the absolute path to the directory in which you want to install the SDK (<SDK installation directory>).
    • If you follow the proposition to organize the working directory, it means:
 ./stm32mp1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21/sdk/st-image-weston-openstlinux-weston-stm32mp1-x86_64-toolchain-4.2.1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21.sh -d <working directory absolute path>/Developer-Package/SDK
  • A successful installation outputs the following log:
ST OpenSTLinux - Weston - (A Yocto Project Based Distro) SDK installer version 4.2.1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21
===================================================================================================================================
You are about to install the SDK to "<working directory absolute path>/Developer-Package/SDK". Proceed [Y/n]? 
Extracting SDK.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................done
Setting it up...done
SDK has been successfully set up and is ready to be used.
Each time you wish to use the SDK in a new shell session, you need to source the environment setup script e.g.
 $ . <working directory absolute path>/Developer-Package/SDK/environment-setup-cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4-ostl-linux-gnueabi

For arm64 host architecture

 tar xvf en.SDK-aarch64-stm32mp1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21.tar.gz
  • If needed, change the permissions on the SDK installation script so that it is executable.
 chmod +x stm32mp1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21/sdk/st-image-weston-openstlinux-weston-stm32mp1-aarch64-toolchain-4.2.1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21.sh
  • Run the SDK installation script.
    • Use the -d <SDK installation directory absolute path> option to specify the absolute path to the directory in which you want to install the SDK (<SDK installation directory>).
    • If you follow the proposition to organize the working directory, it means:
 ./stm32mp1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21/sdk/st-image-weston-openstlinux-weston-stm32mp1-aarch64-toolchain-4.2.1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21.sh -d <working directory absolute path>/Developer-Package/SDK
  • A successful installation outputs the following log:
ST OpenSTLinux - Weston - (A Yocto Project Based Distro) SDK installer version 4.2.1-openstlinux-6.1-yocto-mickledore-mp1-v23.06.21
===================================================================================================================================
You are about to install the SDK to "<working directory absolute path>/Developer-Package/SDK". Proceed [Y/n]? 
Extracting SDK.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................done
Setting it up...done
SDK has been successfully set up and is ready to be used.
Each time you wish to use the SDK in a new shell session, you need to source the environment setup script e.g.
 $ . <working directory absolute path>/Developer-Package/SDK/environment-setup-cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4-ostl-linux-gnueabi
Release note

Details about the content of the SDK are available in the associated STM32 MPU ecosystem release note.

Archive box.png If you are interested in older releases, please have a look into the section Archives.

  • The SDK is in the <SDK installation directory>:
<SDK installation directory>                                      SDK for OpenSTLinux distribution: details in Standard SDK directory structure article
├── environment-setup-cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4-ostl-linux-gnueabi  Environment setup script for Developer Package
├── site-config-cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4-ostl-linux-gnueabi
├── sysroots
│   ├── cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4-ostl-linux-gnueabi                Target sysroot (libraries, headers, and symbols)
│   │   └── [...]
│   └── x86_64-ostl_sdk-linux                                     Native sysroot (libraries, headers, and symbols)
│       └── [...]
└── version-cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4-ostl-linux-gnueabi

For arm64 host architecture

<SDK installation directory>                                      SDK for OpenSTLinux distribution: details in Standard SDK directory structure article
├── environment-setup-cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4-ostl-linux-gnueabi  Environment setup script for Developer Package
├── site-config-cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4-ostl-linux-gnueabi
├── sysroots
│   ├── cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4-ostl-linux-gnueabi                Target sysroot (libraries, headers, and symbols)
│   │   └── [...]
│   └── aarch64-ostl_sdk-linux                                     Native sysroot (libraries, headers, and symbols)
│       └── [...]
└── version-cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4-ostl-linux-gnueabi


Warning white.png Warning
Now that the SDK is installed, please do not move or rename the <SDK installation directory>.

5.1.1 Starting up the SDK[edit]

The SDK environment setup script must be run once in each new working terminal in which you cross-compile:

 source <SDK installation directory>/environment-setup-cortexa7hf-neon-vfpv4-ostl-linux-gnueabi


The following checkings allow to ensure that the environment is correctly setup:

  • Check the target architecture
 echo $ARCH
arm
  • Check the toolchain binary prefix for the target tools
 echo $CROSS_COMPILE
arm-ostl-linux-gnueabi-
  • Check the C compiler version
 $CC --version
arm-ostl-linux-gnueabi-gcc (GCC) <GCC version>
[...]
  • Check that the SDK version is the expected one
 echo $OECORE_SDK_VERSION
<expected SDK version>

If any of these commands fails or does not return the expected result, please try to reinstall the SDK.

5.2 Installing the Linux kernel[edit]

Optional step: it is mandatory only if you want to modify the Linux kernel (configuration, device tree, driver...), or to add external out-of-tree Linux kernel modules.

Prerequite: the SDK is installed.

5.2.1 Downloading the Linux kernel[edit]

STM32MP1 Developer Package - Linux kernel

5.2.2 Building and deploying the Linux kernel for the first time[edit]

It is mandatory to execute once the steps specified below before modifying the Linux kernel, or adding external out-of-tree Linux kernel modules.

The partitions related to the Linux kernel are:

  • the bootfs partition that contains the Linux kernel U-Boot image (uImage) and device tree
  • the rootfs partition that contains the Linux kernel modules

The Linux kernel might be cross-compiled, either in the source code directory, or in a dedicated directory different from the source code directory.
This last method is recommended as it clearly separates the files generated by the cross-compilation from the source code files.

Info white.png Information
The README_HOWTO.txt helper file is THE reference for the Linux kernel build
Warning white.png Warning
The SDK must be started


Open the <Linux kernel installation directory>/README.HOW_TO.txt helper file, and execute its instructions to:
setup a software configuration management (SCM) system (git) for the Linux kernel (optional but recommended)
prepare the Linux kernel (applying the ST patches)
configure the Linux kernel (applying the ST fragments)
cross-compile the Linux kernel
deploy the Linux kernel (i.e. update the software on board)


The Linux kernel is now installed: let's modify the Linux kernel, or add external out-of-tree Linux kernel modules.

5.3 Installing the U-Boot[edit]

Optional step: it is mandatory only if you want to modify the U-Boot.

Prerequite: the SDK is installed.

5.3.1 Downloading the U-Boot[edit]

STM32MP1 Developer Package - U-Boot

5.3.2 Building and deploying the U-Boot for the first time[edit]

It is mandatory to execute once the steps specified below before modifying the U-Boot.

As explained in the boot chains overview, the trusted boot chain is the default solution delivered by STMicroelectronics.

Within this scope, the partition related to the U-Boot is the ssbl one that contains the U-Boot and its device tree blob.

Info white.png Information
The README_HOWTO.txt helper file is THE reference for the U-Boot build
Warning white.png Warning
The SDK must be started


Open the <U-Boot installation directory>/README.HOW_TO.txt helper file, and execute its instructions to:
setup a software configuration management (SCM) system (git) for the U-Boot (optional but recommended)
prepare the U-Boot (applying the ST patches)
cross-compile the U-Boot
deploy the U-Boot (i.e. update the software on board)


The U-Boot is now installed: let's modify the U-Boot.

5.4 Installing the TF-A[edit]

Optional step: it is mandatory only if you want to modify the TF-A.

Prerequite: the SDK is installed.

5.4.1 Downloading the TF-A[edit]

STM32MP1 Developer Package - TF-A

5.4.2 Building and deploying the TF-A for the first time[edit]

It is mandatory to execute once the steps specified below before modifying the TF-A.

As explained in the boot chains overview, the trusted boot chain is the default solution delivered by STMicroelectronics.

Within this scope, the partition related to the TF-A is the fsbl one.

Info white.png Information
The README_HOWTO.txt helper file is THE reference for the TF-A build
Warning white.png Warning
The SDK must be started


Open the <TF-A installation directory>/README.HOW_TO.txt helper file, and execute its instructions to:
setup a software configuration management (SCM) system (git) for the TF-A (optional but recommended)
prepare the TF-A (applying the ST patches)
cross-compile the TF-A
deploy the TF-A (i.e. update the software on board)


The TF-A is now installed: let's modify the TF-A.

5.5 Installing the OP-TEE[edit]

Optional step: it is mandatory only if you want to modify the OP-TEE.

Prerequite: the SDK is installed.


5.5.1 Downloading the OP-TEE[edit]

STM32MP1 Developer Package - OP-TEE

5.5.2 Building and deploying the OP-TEE for the first time[edit]

It is mandatory to execute once the steps specified below before modifying the OP-TEE.

As explained in the boot chains overview, the trusted boot chain is the default solution delivered by STMicroelectronics.

Within this scope, the partition related to the OP-TEE is the fsbl one.

Info white.png Information
The README_HOWTO.txt helper file is THE reference for the OP-TEE build
Warning white.png Warning
The SDK must be started


Open the <OP-TEE installation directory>/README.HOW_TO.txt helper file, and execute its instructions to:
setup a software configuration management (SCM) system (git) for the OP-TEE (optional but recommended)
prepare the OP-TEE (applying the ST patches)
cross-compile the OP-TEE
deploy the OP-TEE (i.e. update the software on board)


The OP-TEE is now installed: let's modify the OP-TEE.


5.6 Installing the debug symbol files[edit]

Optional step: it is mandatory only if you want to debug Linux® kernel, U-Boot or TF-A with GDB.

5.6.1 Downloading the debug symbol files[edit]

STM32MP1 Developer Package - debug symbol files

5.6.2 Using the debug symbol files[edit]

These files are used to debug the Linux® kernel, U-Boot or TF-A with GDB. Especially, the Debug OpenSTLinux BSP components chapter explains how to load the debug symbol files in GDB.

6 Installing the components to develop software running on Arm Cortex-M4 (STM32Cube MPU Package)[edit]

6.1 Installing the Eclipse IDE[edit]

Optional step: it is needed if you want to modify or add software running on Arm Cortex-M.

The table below explains how to download and install the System Workbench for STM32 IDE which is the AC6 product addressing STM32 MCU, and the STM32-CoPro-MPU plugin which provides support for Cortex-M inside STM32 MPU. STM32-CoPro-MPU plugin release note

6.2 Installing the STM32Cube MPU Package[edit]

Optional step: it is mandatory only if you want to modify the STM32Cube MPU Package.

Prerequite: the Eclipse IDE is installed.


  • The STM32CubeMP1 Package is delivered through an archive file named en.STM32Cube_FW_MP1_V1.6.0.zip.

  • Download and install the STM32CubeMP1 Package

The software package is provided AS IS, and by downloading it, you agree to be bound to the terms of the software license agreement (SLA0048). The detailed content licenses can be found here..

STM32MP1 Developer Package STM32CubeMP1 Package - v5.0.0 release
Download
  • Go on st.com to download the en.STM32Cube_FW_MP1_V1.6.0.zip file.
Installation
 cd <working directory path>/Developer-Package
  • Download the archive file in this directory
  • Uncompress the archive file to get the STM32CubeMP1 Package:
 unzip en.STM32Cube_FW_MP1_V1.6.0.zip
Release note

Details about the content of the STM32CubeMP1 Package are available in the STM32Cube_FW_MP1_V1.6.0/Release_Notes.html file.

Archive box.png If you are interested in older releases, please have a look into the section Archives.

  • The STM32CubeMP1 Package installation directory is in the <Developer Package installation directory> directory, and is named STM32Cube_FW_MP1_V1.6.0:
STM32Cube_FW_MP1_V1.6.0			STM32CubeMP1 Package: details in STM32CubeMP1 Package content article
├── Drivers
│   ├── BSP				BSP drivers for the supported STM32MP1 boards
│   │   └── [...]
│   ├── CMSIS
│   │   └── [...]
│   └── STM32MP1xx_HAL_Driver		HAL drivers for the supported STM32MP1 devices
│       └── [...]
├── _htmresc
│   └── [...]
├── License.md
├── Middlewares
│   └── [...]
├── package.xml
├── Projects
│   ├── STM32CubeProjectsList.html	List of examples and applications for STM32CubeMP1 Package
│   ├── STM32MP157C-DK2			Set of examples and applications → STM32MP15 Discovery kits
│   │   └── [...]
│   └── STM32MP157C-EV1			Set of examples and applications → STM32MP15 Evaluation boards
│       └── [...]
├── Readme.md
├── Release_Notes.html			Release note for STM32CubeMP1 Package
└── Utilities
    └── [...]


The STM32Cube MPU Package is now installed: let's develop software running on Arm Cortex-M4.

7 Developing software running on Arm Cortex-A7[edit]

7.1 Modifying the Linux kernel[edit]

Prerequisites:

The <Linux kernel installation directory>/README.HOW_TO.txt helper file gives the commands to:
configure the Linux kernel
cross-compile the Linux kernel
deploy the Linux kernel (that is, update the software on board)

You can refer to the following simple examples:

7.2 Adding external out-of-tree Linux kernel modules[edit]

Prerequisites:

Most device drivers (or modules) in the Linux kernel can be compiled either into the kernel itself (built-in, or internal module) or as Loadable Kernel Modules (LKMs, or external modules) that need to be placed in the root file system under the /lib/modules directory. An external module can be in-tree (in the kernel tree structure), or out-of-tree (outside the kernel tree structure).

External Linux kernel modules are compiled taking reference to a Linux kernel source tree and a Linux kernel configuration file (.config).
Thus, a makefile for an external Linux kernel module points to the Linux kernel directory that contains the source code and the configuration file, with the "-C <Linux kernel path>" option.
This makefile also points to the directory that contains the source file(s) of the Linux kernel module to compile, with the "M=<Linux kernel module path>" option.

A generic makefile for an external out-of-tree Linux kernel module looks like the following:

# Makefile for external out-of-tree Linux kernel module

# Object file(s) to be built
obj-m := <module source file(s)>.o

# Path to the directory that contains the Linux kernel source code
# and the configuration file (.config)
KERNEL_DIR ?= <Linux kernel path>

# Path to the directory that contains the generated objects
DESTDIR ?= <Linux kernel installation directory>

# Path to the directory that contains the source file(s) to compile
PWD := $(shell pwd) 
 
default:
	$(MAKE) -C $(KERNEL_DIR) M=$(PWD) modules

install:
	$(MAKE) -C $(KERNEL_DIR) M=$(PWD) INSTALL_MOD_PATH=$(DESTDIR) modules_install

clean:  
 	$(MAKE) -C $(KERNEL_DIR) M=$(PWD) clean

Such module is then cross-compiled with the following commands:

$ make clean
$ make
$ make install

You can refer to the following simple example:

7.3 Adding Linux user space applications[edit]

Prerequisites:

Once a suitable cross-toolchain (OpenSTLinux SDK) is installed, it is easy to develop a project outside of the OpenEmbedded build system.
There are different ways to use the SDK toolchain directly, among which Makefile and Autotools.
Whatever the method, it relies on:

  • the sysroot that is associated with the cross-toolchain, and that contains the header files and libraries needed for generating binaries (see target sysroot)
  • the environment variables created by the SDK environment setup script (see SDK startup)

You can refer to the following simple example:

7.4 Modifying the U-Boot[edit]

Prerequisites:

The <U-Boot installation directory>/README.HOW_TO.txt helper file gives the commands to:
cross-compile the U-Boot
deploy the U-Boot (that is, update the software on board)

You can refer to the following simple example:

7.5 Modifying the TF-A[edit]

Prerequisites:

The <TF-A installation directory>/README.HOW_TO.txt helper file gives the commands to:
cross-compile the TF-A
deploy the TF-A (that is, update the software on board)

You can refer to the following simple example:

7.6 Modifying the OP-TEE[edit]

Prerequisites:

The <OP-TEE installation directory>/README.HOW_TO.txt helper file gives the commands to:
cross-compile the OP-TEE
deploy the OP-TEE (that is, update the software on board)

You can refer to the following simple example:

8 Developing software running on Arm Cortex-M4[edit]

8.1 How to create a Cube project from scratch or open/modify an existing one from STM32Cube MPU package[edit]

Please refer to STM32CubeMP1 Package article.

9 Fast links to essential commands[edit]

If you are already familiar with the Developer Package for the STM32MPU Embedded Software distribution, fast links to the essential commands are listed below.

Info white.png Information
With the links below, you will be redirected to other articles; use the back button of your browser to come back to these fast links
Link to the command
Starter Packages
Essential commands of the STM32MP15 Evaluation board Starter Package
Essential commands of the STM32MP15 Discovery kit Starter Package
SDK
Download and install the latest SDK
Start the SDK
Linux kernel
Download and install the latest Linux kernel
Helper file for the Linux kernel build, and update on board
U-Boot
Download and install the latest U-Boot
Helper file for the U-Boot build, and update on board
TF-A
Download and install the latest TF-A
Helper file for the TF-A build, and update on board
OP-TEE
Download and install the latest OP-TEE
Helper file for the OP-TEE build, and update on board
Linux user space
Simple user space application
STM32Cube MPU Package
Download and install the latest STM32CubeMP1 Package
Create or modify a Cube project

10 How to go further?[edit]

Now that your developments are ready, you might want to switch to the STM32MP1 Distribution Package, in order to create your own distribution and to generate your own SDK and image.