Animated image issue on custom board with 5' TFT

[SKokk.1]

Hello,

i used the STM32CubeIDE Version: 1.1.0 with TouchGFX designer 4.12.3 to build a project for the F746G-Disco. Everything worked fine, i was able to display animations etc.

Then, i made the changes to my custom board (based on Disco schematics) to use a 5 Inches (800x480) TFT and i was able to display some boxes/images but when i tried to display some animated images, the animation was not working (seems frozen).

The Touch panel is not configured yet, due to different driver than Disco.

Could this be a hardware issue? I am attaching the screen datasheet and the project, in case someone could help.

Project:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ibuGvqsCGqzeZYnflSGMnCdHznQdUkfN/view?usp=sharing

Small video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE4VB7f4UFw

[Karan 123]

Hi​,

​

​​Not an Enough idea..But A hint is

Do you use single or double RAM buffer in both the boards are identical?

​

​

--

Karan​

[SKokk.1]

Tried both options, discovery can work with single or double. My board can not work with any option of RAM buffer

[SKokk.1]

If i switch to RGB565, then everything is working.

I can not understand what is happening when i set RGB888, could be hardware limitation?

[Karan 123]

Hi,

​

Which SRAM IC you are using?

Do you calculate the Frame Buffer?

​(Double Buffering for animation)

​

There may be certain things mismatch according to your hardware. ​

--

Karan​

[SKokk.1]

Which SRAM IC you are using?

It's the MT48LC4M32B2B5-6A XIT:L TR. Same like Discovery's [Revision B-02]

Do you calculate the Frame Buffer?

For RGB888: 800*480*3bytes*2 = about 2.2 MBytes and my external RAM is 128Mbit or 16Mbytes

I hope i am not wrong

[Karan 123]

Calculations are correct..

​

I think you need to change address in terms of you display resolution in STMCube IDE.

​

​

--

​​Karan

[SKokk.1]

I am not sure what could a valid address.

[HP_it]

it should be related to the amount of framebuffers you're using. tGFX allows you to use 1,2 or 3. the 3rd is also called 'animation storage' so enabling that might help you a bit.

First I would make sure that your RAM is actually working - one can never be too sure ;)

when you have verified that it works you should have a look at the linker scrips and verify that you are using the external RAM for storage.

Then you can look into the amount of buffers you assign to the project. The 746-Disco can do all 3 buffers using the SDRAM so you should be able to do that as well.

[SKokk.1]

it should be related to the amount of framebuffers you're using. tGFX allows you to use 1,2 or 3. the 3rd is also called 'animation storage' so enabling that might help you a bit.

I am not able to enable the 2nd framebuffer.

The .ioc is uploaded here in case someone can check it: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1foGZArtejr9RZqs7vX4vzj8qzmRgUweo/view?usp=sharing

First I would make sure that your RAM is actually working - one can never be too sure ;)

I ran the "STM32Cube_FW_F7_V1.15.0\Projects\STM32746G-Discovery\Examples\FMC\FMC_SDRAM\EWARM" and seems RAM is working for the defined area. I do not know how to check the whole RAM area.

[HP_it]

Layers are not the same as framebuffers

With that said, you need to find the following:

setFrameBufferStartAddresses((void*)frameBuf, (void*)(frameBuf + sizeof(frameBuf)/(sizeof(uint32_t)*2)), (void*)0);

In my project it is located in:

/STM32H7B3I_DISCO/Application/User/TouchGFX/target/generated/TouchGFXGeneratedHAL.cpp

the method takes 3 arguments:

 /**
 * @fn virtual void HAL::setFrameBufferStartAddresses(void* frameBuffer, void* doubleBuffer, void* animationStorage)
 *
 * @brief Sets frame buffer start addresses.
 *
 * Sets individual frame buffer start addresses.
 *
 * @param [in] frameBuffer Buffer for frame buffer data, must be non-null.
 * @param [in] doubleBuffer If non-null, buffer for double buffer data. If null double buffering is disabled.
 * @param [in] animationStorage If non-null, the animation storage. If null animation storage is disabled.
 */

so you'd want to add the adress of the animation storage instead of the (void*)0 in the last argument. you can calculate the address the same way the second framebuffer is calculated.

[AME MCU Support Center BB]

Do you see the LTDC interrupt getting fired: LTDC_IRQHandler -> HAL_LTDC_LineEvenCallback()?

[AME MCU Support Center BB]

One more test: place the assets into the intenal flash: use two/three images for the animation instead of 10 then place them into the internal flash and see if things change. This test would rule out any issue with QSPI NOR memory.

[SKokk.1]

In order to make the QSPI NOR Flash work, i made some changes on Flash .ld file. Should i change Ram .ld too? I am trying to find some example or guide how/what to change to define my external RAM.

STM32F746NGHX_RAM.ld:

/*
******************************************************************************
**
** File : LinkerScript.ld (debug in RAM dedicated)
**
** Author		: Auto-generated by STM32CubeIDE
**
** Abstract : Linker script for STM32F746G-DISCO Board embedding STM32F746NGHx Device from STM32F7 series
** 1024Kbytes FLASH
** 320Kbytes RAM
**
** Set heap size, stack size and stack location according
** to application requirements.
**
** Set memory bank area and size if external memory is used.
**
** Target : STMicroelectronics STM32
**
** Distribution: The file is distributed as is without any warranty
** of any kind.
**
*****************************************************************************
** @attention
**
** <h2><center>&copy; COPYRIGHT(c) 2020 STMicroelectronics</center></h2>
**
** Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification,
** are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
** 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
** this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
** 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
** this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
** and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
** 3. Neither the name of STMicroelectronics nor the names of its contributors
** may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
** without specific prior written permission.
**
** THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
** AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
** IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
** DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE
** FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
** DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
** SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER
** CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
** OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
** OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
**
*****************************************************************************
*/
 
/* Entry Point */
ENTRY(Reset_Handler)
 
/* Highest address of the user mode stack */
_estack = ORIGIN(RAM) + LENGTH(RAM);	/* end of "RAM" Ram type memory */
 
_Min_Heap_Size = 0x200;	/* required amount of heap */
_Min_Stack_Size = 0x400;	/* required amount of stack */
 
/* Memories definition */
MEMORY
{
 RAM	(xrw)	: ORIGIN = 0x20000000,	LENGTH = 320K
 FLASH	(rx)	: ORIGIN = 0x8000000,	LENGTH = 1024K
}
 
/* Sections */
SECTIONS
{
 /* The startup code into "RAM" Ram type memory */
 .isr_vector :
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 KEEP(*(.isr_vector)) /* Startup code */
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >RAM
 
 /* The program code and other data into "RAM" Ram type memory */
 .text :
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 *(.text) /* .text sections (code) */
 *(.text*) /* .text* sections (code) */
 *(.glue_7) /* glue arm to thumb code */
 *(.glue_7t) /* glue thumb to arm code */
 *(.eh_frame)
 
 KEEP (*(.init))
 KEEP (*(.fini))
 
 . = ALIGN(4);
 _etext = .; /* define a global symbols at end of code */
 } >RAM
 
 /* Constant data into "RAM" Ram type memory */
 .rodata :
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 *(.rodata) /* .rodata sections (constants, strings, etc.) */
 *(.rodata*) /* .rodata* sections (constants, strings, etc.) */
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >RAM
 
 .ARM.extab : { 
 . = ALIGN(4);
 *(.ARM.extab* .gnu.linkonce.armextab.*)
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >RAM
 
 .ARM : {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 __exidx_start = .;
 *(.ARM.exidx*)
 __exidx_end = .;
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >RAM
 
 .preinit_array :
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__preinit_array_start = .);
 KEEP (*(.preinit_array*))
 PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__preinit_array_end = .);
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >RAM
 
 .init_array :
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__init_array_start = .);
 KEEP (*(SORT(.init_array.*)))
 KEEP (*(.init_array*))
 PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__init_array_end = .);
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >RAM
 
 .fini_array :
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__fini_array_start = .);
 KEEP (*(SORT(.fini_array.*)))
 KEEP (*(.fini_array*))
 PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__fini_array_end = .);
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >RAM
 
 /* Used by the startup to initialize data */
 _sidata = LOADADDR(.data);
 
 /* Initialized data sections into "RAM" Ram type memory */
 .data : 
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 _sdata = .; /* create a global symbol at data start */
 *(.data) /* .data sections */
 *(.data*) /* .data* sections */
 
 . = ALIGN(4);
 _edata = .; /* define a global symbol at data end */
 
 } >RAM
 
 /* Uninitialized data section into "RAM" Ram type memory */
 . = ALIGN(4);
 .bss :
 {
 /* This is used by the startup in order to initialize the .bss section */
 _sbss = .; /* define a global symbol at bss start */
 __bss_start__ = _sbss;
 *(.bss)
 *(.bss*)
 *(COMMON)
 
 . = ALIGN(4);
 _ebss = .; /* define a global symbol at bss end */
 __bss_end__ = _ebss;
 } >RAM
 
 /* User_heap_stack section, used to check that there is enough "RAM" Ram type memory left */
 ._user_heap_stack :
 {
 . = ALIGN(8);
 PROVIDE ( end = . );
 PROVIDE ( _end = . );
 . = . + _Min_Heap_Size;
 . = . + _Min_Stack_Size;
 . = ALIGN(8);
 } >RAM
 
 /* Remove information from the compiler libraries */
 /DISCARD/ :
 {
 libc.a ( * )
 libm.a ( * )
 libgcc.a ( * )
 }
 
 .ARM.attributes 0 : { *(.ARM.attributes) }
}

[AME MCU Support Center BB]

I don't think you would need that as you are running your code from the internal flash and your linker command by default uses STM32F746NGHX_FLASH.ld

[SKokk.1]

STM32F746NGHX_FLASH.ld (with changes made for QSPI):

/*
******************************************************************************
**
** File : LinkerScript.ld
**
** Author		: Auto-generated by STM32CubeIDE
**
** Abstract : Linker script for STM32F746G-DISCO Board embedding STM32F746NGHx Device from STM32F7 series
** 1024Kbytes FLASH
** 320Kbytes RAM
**
** Set heap size, stack size and stack location according
** to application requirements.
**
** Set memory bank area and size if external memory is used.
**
** Target : STMicroelectronics STM32
**
** Distribution: The file is distributed as is without any warranty
** of any kind.
**
*****************************************************************************
** @attention
**
** <h2><center>&copy; COPYRIGHT(c) 2020 STMicroelectronics</center></h2>
**
** Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification,
** are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
** 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
** this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
** 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
** this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
** and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
** 3. Neither the name of STMicroelectronics nor the names of its contributors
** may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
** without specific prior written permission.
**
** THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
** AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
** IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
** DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE
** FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
** DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
** SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER
** CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
** OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
** OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
**
*****************************************************************************
*/
 
/* Entry Point */
ENTRY(Reset_Handler)
 
/* Highest address of the user mode stack */
_estack = ORIGIN(RAM) + LENGTH(RAM);	/* end of "RAM" Ram type memory */
 
_Min_Heap_Size = 0x200 ;	/* required amount of heap */
_Min_Stack_Size = 0x400 ;	/* required amount of stack */
 
/* Memories definition */
MEMORY
{
 RAM	(xrw)	: ORIGIN = 0x20000000,	LENGTH = 320K
 FLASH	(rx)	: ORIGIN = 0x8000000,	LENGTH = 1024K
 QUADSPI (rx)	: ORIGIN = 0x90000000,	LENGTH = 16M 
}
 
/* Sections */
SECTIONS
{
 /* The startup code into "FLASH" Rom type memory */
 .isr_vector :
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 KEEP(*(.isr_vector)) /* Startup code */
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >FLASH
 
 /* The program code and other data into "FLASH" Rom type memory */
 .text :
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 *(.text) /* .text sections (code) */
 *(.text*) /* .text* sections (code) */
 *(.glue_7) /* glue arm to thumb code */
 *(.glue_7t) /* glue thumb to arm code */
 *(.eh_frame)
 
 KEEP (*(.init))
 KEEP (*(.fini))
 
 . = ALIGN(4);
 _etext = .; /* define a global symbols at end of code */
 } >FLASH
 
 /* Constant data into "FLASH" Rom type memory */
 .rodata :
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 *(.rodata) /* .rodata sections (constants, strings, etc.) */
 *(.rodata*) /* .rodata* sections (constants, strings, etc.) */
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >FLASH
 
 .ARM.extab : { 
 . = ALIGN(4);
 *(.ARM.extab* .gnu.linkonce.armextab.*)
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >FLASH
 
 .ARM : {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 __exidx_start = .;
 *(.ARM.exidx*)
 __exidx_end = .;
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >FLASH
 
 .preinit_array :
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__preinit_array_start = .);
 KEEP (*(.preinit_array*))
 PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__preinit_array_end = .);
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >FLASH
 
 .init_array :
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__init_array_start = .);
 KEEP (*(SORT(.init_array.*)))
 KEEP (*(.init_array*))
 PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__init_array_end = .);
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >FLASH
 
 .fini_array :
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__fini_array_start = .);
 KEEP (*(SORT(.fini_array.*)))
 KEEP (*(.fini_array*))
 PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__fini_array_end = .);
 . = ALIGN(4);
 } >FLASH
 
 /* Used by the startup to initialize data */
 _sidata = LOADADDR(.data);
 
 /* Initialized data sections into "RAM" Ram type memory */
 .data : 
 {
 . = ALIGN(4);
 _sdata = .; /* create a global symbol at data start */
 *(.data) /* .data sections */
 *(.data*) /* .data* sections */
 
 . = ALIGN(4);
 _edata = .; /* define a global symbol at data end */
 
 } >RAM AT> FLASH
 
 /* Uninitialized data section into "RAM" Ram type memory */
 . = ALIGN(4);
 .bss :
 {
 /* This is used by the startup in order to initialize the .bss section */
 _sbss = .; /* define a global symbol at bss start */
 __bss_start__ = _sbss;
 *(.bss)
 *(.bss*)
 *(COMMON)
 
 . = ALIGN(4);
 _ebss = .; /* define a global symbol at bss end */
 __bss_end__ = _ebss;
 } >RAM
 
 /* User_heap_stack section, used to check that there is enough "RAM" Ram type memory left */
 ._user_heap_stack :
 {
 . = ALIGN(8);
 PROVIDE ( end = . );
 PROVIDE ( _end = . );
 . = . + _Min_Heap_Size;
 . = . + _Min_Stack_Size;
 . = ALIGN(8);
 } >RAM
 
 /* Remove information from the compiler libraries */
 /DISCARD/ :
 {
 libc.a ( * )
 libm.a ( * )
 libgcc.a ( * )
 }
 
 .ARM.attributes 0 : { *(.ARM.attributes) }
 
 ExtFlashSection :
 {
 	*(ExtFlashSection ExtFlashSection.*)
 	*(.gnu.linkonce.r.*)
 	. = ALIGN(0x04);
 } >QUADSPI
 
 FontFlashSection :
 {
 	*(FontFlashSection FontFlashSection.*)
 	*(.gnu.linkonce.r.*)
 	. = ALIGN(0x04);
 } >QUADSPI
 
 TextFlashSection :
 {
 	*(TextFlashSection TextFlashSection.*)
 	*(.gnu.linkonce.r.*)
 	. = ALIGN(0x04);
 } >QUADSPI 
}

[SKokk.1]

Back with available logic analyzer...

Do you see the LTDC interrupt getting fired: LTDC_IRQHandler -> HAL_LTDC_LineEvenCallback()?

It enters only 2 times

  And codes stucks at:

 

[AME MCU Support Center BB]

I would look into the LTDC and DMA2D registers and see if something is wrong.

Another possible cause: GUI task stack size but it is hard to tell if this is your case.