Create csolution project

You’ll create a basic RTX-based RTOS application using CMSIS and Keil Studio for VS Code .

The steps use the Cortex-M4 Fixed Virtual Platform (FVP), but you can follow along with any of the 10,000+ devices supported by CMSIS-Pack .

Create a new project

Keil Studio projects are based on the CMSIS Solution standard.

1. Open VS Code and select File > New File. When prompted for the file type, select New Solution (Arm CMSIS Solution).
2. The Create New Solution dialog opens. Select the Target Device drop-down and search for ARMCM4.
3. From the Templates, Reference Applications, and Examples drop-down, select Blank Solution.
4. Ensure Arm Compiler 6 is the selected compiler.
5. Enter an appropriate Solution Name. This defines the folder name the project is created into. You can also change the folder location if necessary.
6. Select Create. You’ll be prompted to open the solution in the current window or a new window.

Configure the solution environment

VS Code allows complete configurability of all aspects of the project.

• Locate vcpkg-configuration.json within the project. This file defines the components used.
• Right-click on this file and select Configure Arm Tools Environment to open the configuration panel.

From the dropdown menus, make sure to select the most up-to-date versions of the following:

• Arm CMSIS-Toolbox
• Arm Compiler for Embedded
• Arm Debugger
• Arm Virtual Hardware for Cortex-M based on Fast Models
• Kitware’s CMake tool
• Ninja Build

Set all other tools to None as they are not needed for this example.

If you open vcpkg-configuration.json in the text editor, you’ll see these selections reflected. Close the file to save your changes.

All necessary components will be downloaded and installed as necessary (if not already installed).

Configure CMSIS options

1. Select CMSIS from the Extensions icon list in VS Code. You’ll see the project structure.
2. Hover over the top-level project and select Manage Software Components to add CMSIS software packs to your project.

Enable the following components:

• CMSIS > Core
• CMSIS > OSTick > SysTick
• CMSIS > RTOS2 > Keil RTX
• Device > Startup

You may need to select Software packs: All packs from the drop-down.

If prompted in the Validation pane, select the latest available version for each. Use the CMSIS-RTX pack if others are shown.

Close this view to save.

Define the memory map

Use scatter-loading to define the memory map to the linker.

The memory map for the FVP is given in the documentation .

The project should be configured to use ARMCM4_ac6.sct as the scatter file. Locate this file in the CMSIS Extension view and select it to create.

Populate with the following.

    

        
        
LOAD 0x0 0x400000 {
	ROOT 0x0 0x400000 {
		*.o (RESET, +First)
		*(InRoot$$Sections)
		.ANY (+RO)   }

	RAM 0x20000000 0x40000 {
		.ANY (+RW +ZI)     }

	ARM_LIB_HEAP  0x20040000 EMPTY 0x10000 {}

	ARM_LIB_STACK 0x20050000 EMPTY 0x10000 {}
}

    

Configure debug with the FVP

1. Select Run and Debug from the Extensions icon list.
2. Select the gear icon to open launch.json. This file defines the debug instance.
3. Right-click on launch.json and select Open Run and Debug Configuration.

From the Selected Configuration drop-down, select New Configuration > Launch FVP. Edit the Configuration Name if desired.

From the Target > Configuration Database Entry drop-down, select MPS2_Cortex_M4 > Cortex-M4.

Leave other fields as default. Observe that launch.json has been updated.

Close the file to save your configuration.