Table of Contents

1. Build this docker image
2. Run container instance
3. Github Docker registry
4. Development environment
   1. Command Line
   2. CortexDebug
5. X11 Server
6. Useful Links

1. Build this docker image

Dockerfiles are available for the following dev environments:

• ARM Cross Toolchain: GCC 10.3-2021.10 arm-none-eabi
• ARM Cross Toolchain: GCC 11.3.rel1 arm-none-eabi
• ARM Cross Toolchain: GCC 12.2.rel1 arm-none-eabi

Push changes to github.com to build with the CI pipeline. RECOMMENDED

For debug, use VSCode tasks to build the images locally.

2. Run container instance

docker run -it --privileged stm32_dev:

Recommended to use VSCode with Dev Containers installed.

See example devcontainer.json file.

3. Github Docker registry

To pull the pre-built image/push a new image you must authenticate to the github registry by creating a Personal Access Token and exporting it to a variable in your environment. Recommend putting it in ~/.bashrc.

Pull the image using the docker command.

For example:

docker push ghcr.io/<USER>/stm32_dev:10.3-2021.10
docker pull ghcr.io/<USER>/stm32_dev:10.3-2021.10

4. Development environment

This container provides a consistent development environment independent of the host machine.

All that is requred on the host machine is

• SEGGER J-Link Remote Server
• Ability to run docker containers
  • Install docker
  • Configure the docker daemon
• VSCode (Optional but recommeneded)

Below is an overview of the communication between the guest/host/target.

flowchart LR
subgraph Container["Guest (Container)"]
    CMake
    CortexDebug --> GDB
    CortexDebug --> JLinkGDBServer
end
subgraph Host["Host (Ubuntu Laptop)"]
    JLInkRemoteServer
end
JLinkGDBServer -->|TCP/IP|JLInkRemoteServer -->|USB|Target

Loading

The only manual step is start the JLinkRemoteServer on the host

JLinkRemoteServer --select USB -Port 9999

If you change this port, be sure to change it in the launch.json settings so the CortexDebug extension knows how to connect to JLinkRemoteServer.

---

Below two common workflows are outlined: Manual and VSCode.

Command line

1. Connect your JLink to the target and power on the target.

2. Connect your JLink to the USB port of the host.

3. Start the JLinkRemoteServer:

   JLinkRemoteServer --select USB -Port 9999
   

4. From the docker guest terminal connect to the JLinkRemoteServer.

   Note: <HOST> is the localhost IP address of the host OS. Port may not be needed...if you get connection error try omitting the port.

   • Manual

     • GDBServer

       JLinkGDBServer -if swd -device <device> -select ip=<HOST>:9999 -port <GDBSERVER_PORT>
       

     • GDB

       arm-none-eabi-gdb <elf>  -ex 'target remote localhost:<GDBSERVER_PORT>'
       

CortexDebug

1. Connect your JLink to the target and power on the target.

2. Connect your JLink to the USB port of the host.

3. Start the JLinkRemoteServer:

   JLinkRemoteServer --select USB -Port 9999
   

4. Update launch.json

   "servertype": "jlink",
   "ipAddress": "<HOST>:9999",
   

   See example launch.json

5. Press F5 to start debug in VSCode

5. X11 Server

Using JLink tools requires X11 Server installed on the host

• Linux - should be already installed.

  Don't forget to run the xhost command (put it in ~/.bashrc on the host)

  xhost +
  

• MacOS - Install XQuartz.

  • See instructions here - https://gist.github.com/sorny/969fe55d85c9b0035b0109a31cbcb088
  • Change the DISPLAY option in devcontainer.json to host.docker.internal:0

• Windows - Install VcXserv.

  • Select the option to disable access control.
  • Change the DISPLAY option in devcontainer.json to host.docker.internal:0

6. Useful Links

• https://github.com/Marus/cortex-debug/blob/master/debug_attributes.md
• https://wiki.segger.com/J-Link_Remote_Server
• https://wiki.segger.com/J-Link_GDB_Server
• https://linux.die.net/man/1/gdb
• https://docs.docker.com/engine/reference/run/

Example use can be found in MIDIPresetController project.