2026-02-05 5:56 AM - last edited on 2026-02-05 6:17 AM by Andrew Neil
I am using below component tools
MCU: STM32H750IBT6
IDE: STM32CubeIDE Version: 1.20.0
GUI: TouchGFX Version: 4.26.0
SDRAM: IS42S32400J-6TLI
FLASH: MT25QL512ABB8ESF-0SIT (QUADSPI)
I have made my own external loader that proves works for the QUADSPI IC using this video: https://www.st.com/content/st_com/en/support/learning/stm32-education/stm32-moocs/external_QSPI_loader.html
Thank you in advance!
2026-02-05 6:56 AM - edited 2026-02-05 6:57 AM
Hello,
You can inspire from one of the linker scripts generated by TouchGFX Designer starring from TBS board (in this case STM32H750I-DISCO board):
/*
******************************************************************************
**
** File : LinkerScript.ld
**
** Author : STM32CubeMX
**
** Abstract : Linker script for STM32H750XBHx series
** 128Kbytes FLASH and 1056Kbytes 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>© COPYRIGHT(c) 2025 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)
/* Specify the memory areas */
MEMORY
{
DTCMRAM (xrw) : ORIGIN = 0x20000000, LENGTH = 128K
ITCMRAM (xrw) : ORIGIN = 0x00000000, LENGTH = 64K
RAM_D1 (xrw) : ORIGIN = 0x24000000, LENGTH = 512K
RAM_D2 (xrw) : ORIGIN = 0x30000000, LENGTH = 288K
RAM_D3 (xrw) : ORIGIN = 0x38000000, LENGTH = 64K
SDRAM (xrw) : ORIGIN = 0xD0000000, LENGTH = 8M
FLASH (rx) : ORIGIN = 0x90000000, LENGTH = 2048K
ASSETS_FLASH (r) : ORIGIN = 0x90200000, LENGTH = 126M
BOOTLOADER (xrw) : ORIGIN = 0x08000000, LENGTH = 128k
}
/* Highest address of the user mode stack */
_estack = ORIGIN(DTCMRAM) + LENGTH(DTCMRAM); /* end of RAM */
/* Generate a link error if heap and stack don't fit into RAM */
_Min_Heap_Size = 0x1000; /* required amount of heap */
_Min_Stack_Size = 0x1000; /* required amount of stack */
/* Link ISR vectors */
SECTIONS
{
/* The startup code into "FLASH" Rom type memory */
.isr_vector :
{
__ICFEDIT_intvec_start__ = .;
. = ALIGN(4);
KEEP(*(.isr_vector)) /* Startup code */
. = ALIGN(4);
} >FLASH
}
/* Define specific placement of memory areas */
SECTIONS
{
TextFlashSection :
{
*(TextFlashSection TextFlashSection.*)
*(.gnu.linkonce.r.*)
. = ALIGN(0x4);
} >ASSETS_FLASH
FontFlashSection :
{
*(FontFlashSection FontFlashSection.*)
*(.gnu.linkonce.r.*)
. = ALIGN(0x4);
} >ASSETS_FLASH
ExtFlashSection :
{
*(ExtFlashSection ExtFlashSection.*)
*(.gnu.linkonce.r.*)
. = ALIGN(0x4);
} >ASSETS_FLASH
}
/* Define output sections */
SECTIONS
{
.bootloader :
{
. = ALIGN(4);
ExtMem_Boot/bootloader.o(*)
} >BOOTLOADER
/* The program code and other data goes into FLASH */
.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 goes into FLASH */
.rodata :
{
. = ALIGN(4);
*(.rodata) /* .rodata sections (constants, strings, etc.) */
*(.rodata*) /* .rodata* sections (constants, strings, etc.) */
. = ALIGN(4);
} >FLASH
.ARM.extab (READONLY) : /* The "READONLY" keyword is only supported in GCC11 and later, remove it if using GCC10 or earlier. */
{
. = ALIGN(4);
*(.ARM.extab* .gnu.linkonce.armextab.*)
. = ALIGN(4);
} >FLASH
.ARM (READONLY) : /* The "READONLY" keyword is only supported in GCC11 and later, remove it if using GCC10 or earlier. */
{
. = ALIGN(4);
__exidx_start = .;
*(.ARM.exidx*)
__exidx_end = .;
. = ALIGN(4);
} >FLASH
.preinit_array (READONLY) : /* The "READONLY" keyword is only supported in GCC11 and later, remove it if using GCC10 or earlier. */
{
. = ALIGN(4);
PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__preinit_array_start = .);
KEEP (*(.preinit_array*))
PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__preinit_array_end = .);
. = ALIGN(4);
} >FLASH
.init_array (READONLY) : /* The "READONLY" keyword is only supported in GCC11 and later, remove it if using GCC10 or earlier. */
{
. = ALIGN(4);
PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__init_array_start = .);
KEEP (*(SORT(.init_array.*)))
KEEP (*(.init_array*))
PROVIDE_HIDDEN (__init_array_end = .);
. = ALIGN(4);
} >FLASH
.fini_array (READONLY) : /* The "READONLY" keyword is only supported in GCC11 and later, remove it if using GCC10 or earlier. */
{
. = 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 goes into RAM, load LMA copy after code */
.data :
{
. = ALIGN(4);
_sdata = .; /* create a global symbol at data start */
*(.data) /* .data sections */
*(.data*) /* .data* sections */
*(.RamFunc) /* .RamFunc sections */
*(.RamFunc*) /* .RamFunc* sections */
. = ALIGN(4);
} >RAM_D1 AT> FLASH
/* Initialized TLS data section */
.tdata : ALIGN(4)
{
*(.tdata .tdata.* .gnu.linkonce.td.*)
. = ALIGN(4);
_edata = .; /* define a global symbol at data end */
PROVIDE(__data_end = .);
PROVIDE(__tdata_end = .);
} >RAM_D1 AT> FLASH
PROVIDE( __tdata_start = ADDR(.tdata) );
PROVIDE( __tdata_size = __tdata_end - __tdata_start );
PROVIDE( __data_start = ADDR(.data) );
PROVIDE( __data_size = __data_end - __data_start );
PROVIDE( __tdata_source = LOADADDR(.tdata) );
PROVIDE( __tdata_source_end = LOADADDR(.tdata) + SIZEOF(.tdata) );
PROVIDE( __tdata_source_size = __tdata_source_end - __tdata_source );
PROVIDE( __data_source = LOADADDR(.data) );
PROVIDE( __data_source_end = __tdata_source_end );
PROVIDE( __data_source_size = __data_source_end - __data_source );
/* Uninitialized data section */
.tbss (NOLOAD) : ALIGN(4)
{
/* This is used by the startup in order to initialize the .bss secion */
_sbss = .; /* define a global symbol at bss start */
__bss_start__ = _sbss;
*(.tbss .tbss.*)
. = ALIGN(4);
PROVIDE( __tbss_end = . );
} >RAM_D1
PROVIDE( __tbss_start = ADDR(.tbss) );
PROVIDE( __tbss_size = __tbss_end - __tbss_start );
PROVIDE( __tbss_offset = ADDR(.tbss) - ADDR(.tdata) );
PROVIDE( __tls_base = __tdata_start );
PROVIDE( __tls_end = __tbss_end );
PROVIDE( __tls_size = __tls_end - __tls_base );
PROVIDE( __tls_align = MAX(ALIGNOF(.tdata), ALIGNOF(.tbss)) );
PROVIDE( __tls_size_align = (__tls_size + __tls_align - 1) & ~(__tls_align - 1) );
PROVIDE( __arm32_tls_tcb_offset = MAX(8, __tls_align) );
PROVIDE( __arm64_tls_tcb_offset = MAX(16, __tls_align) );
.bss (NOLOAD) : ALIGN(4)
{
*(.bss)
*(.bss*)
*(COMMON)
. = ALIGN(4);
_ebss = .; /* define a global symbol at bss end */
__bss_end__ = _ebss;
PROVIDE( __bss_end = .);
} >RAM_D1
PROVIDE( __non_tls_bss_start = ADDR(.bss) );
PROVIDE( __bss_start = __tbss_start );
PROVIDE( __bss_size = __bss_end - __bss_start );
/* User_heap_stack section, used to check that there is enough RAM left */
._user_heap_stack (NOLOAD) :
{
. = ALIGN(8);
PROVIDE ( end = . );
PROVIDE ( _end = . );
. = . + _Min_Heap_Size;
. = . + _Min_Stack_Size;
. = ALIGN(8);
} >DTCMRAM
/* Remove information from the standard libraries */
/DISCARD/ :
{
libc.a:* ( * )
libm.a:* ( * )
libgcc.a:* ( * )
}
BmpCacheSection (NOLOAD) :
{
*(BmpCacheSection)
} >SDRAM
TouchGFX_Framebuffer (NOLOAD) :
{
*(TouchGFX_Framebuffer)
} >SDRAM
TouchGFX_Framebuffer1 (NOLOAD) :
{
*(TouchGFX_Framebuffer1)
} >SDRAM
TouchGFX_Framebuffer2 (NOLOAD) :
{
*(TouchGFX_Framebuffer2)
} >SDRAM
Video_RGB_Buffer (NOLOAD) :
{
*(Video_RGB_Buffer)
} >SDRAM
}
2026-02-05 7:06 AM - edited 2026-02-05 7:10 AM
Thanks for the suggestion but how do I create the bootloader?
Can I use the bootloader.bin file that is generated with that example or do I need to make my own as its a custom PCB?
2026-02-05 7:11 AM - edited 2026-02-05 7:11 AM
If you are using custom bootloader that's another stuff not related to TouchGFX.
2026-02-05 7:13 AM - edited 2026-02-05 7:13 AM
I have created a custom external loader and prove it correctly writes to external QUADSPI. I was hoping to not have to use a bootloader, hence why I have not created a custom bootloader.
Please advise as it is not clear what the next steps are.
2026-02-05 7:18 AM
Here:
@AEng7 wrote:
Thanks for the suggestion but how do I create the bootloader?
Please clarify what do you mean by bootloader here? I think you mean Flashloader not bootloader. Two different things.
If Flashloader: that question has been answerd here.
2026-02-05 7:24 AM
+
Add that flash loader in the Debugger/ External loaders:
2026-02-05 7:28 AM - edited 2026-02-05 7:31 AM
I have done that. I have created the 'External Loader' and I have proven it works and writes/reads to QUADSPI at memory region 0x90000000, using STM32CubeProgrammer. As shown in the Youtube tutorial.
I then added it to STM32CubeIDE
However, your linker script that you have provided refers to '
BOOTLOADER (xrw) : ORIGIN = 0x08000000, LENGTH = 128k
Located at:
.bootloader :
{
. = ALIGN(4);
ExtMem_Boot/bootloader.o(*)
} >BOOTLOADER
I am asking how is this bootloader created?
I know on the STM32H750B-DK which I created a demo, used the bootloader.
However, I have a custom PCB and after creating a TouchGFX project it does not contain a bootloader.bin file, or a ExtMem_Boot.
ExtMem_Boot does not exist in my TouchGFX project that I created from a blank STM32CubeIDE Project.
2026-02-05 7:31 AM
I know its the linker script which is the last step here in getting it working.
2026-02-05 7:38 AM
.bootloader :
{
. = ALIGN(4);
ExtMem_Boot/bootloader.o(*)
} >BOOTLOADER
That 's a boot application that boots from the internal Flash. The application is mapped at the external QSPI Flash.
So you need to develop that loader by inspiring from the example provided here: https://github.com/STMicroelectronics/STM32CubeH7/tree/master/Projects/STM32H750B-DK/Templates/ExtMem_Boot/Src
So after reset, the MCU boots from the internal flash then the loader gives the stage to the application that jumps to the external memory.