TCP over serial plugin FreeMASTER Lite support

[AELhammoudi]

Hello,

I have an application using a TCP over serial plugin, and it seems to be connecting to the desktop application.

Now, I need to implement some pytest cases with integration of FreeMASTER Lite. After multiple tries, I found that it was not possible to connect via this plug-in, and  I found it's not supported yet.

Do you have any suggestions or feedback? thanks!

Kind regards,
Adnan

[iulian_stan]

Hi @AELhammoudi,

Are you referring to Serial over TCP communication plugin ?
If so, it is supported by FreeMASTER Lite but has experimental status:

I just noticed that the connection string generated by the FreeMASTER tool when exporting service configuration has a wrong format (we will address this issue).
Could you check if your connection string is using the following format:

TCPCOM;{HOST_NAME};port={PORT_NUMBER};timeout={TIMEOUT_IN_MS}

example:

{
  ...
  "connections": [
    {
      "name": "preset",
      "description": "Default connection",
      "connection_string": "TCPCOM;127.0.0.1;port=5001;timeout=2000"
    }
  ]
  ...
}

 Let us know if you are still facing issues using this feature so we can improve its stability.

Kind regards,
Iulian

[AELhammoudi]

Hi @iulian_stan ,

Thank you for your response!

I'm referring to this one, are they identical?

kind regards,
Adnan

[iulian_stan]

Hi Adnan,

Yes, that's the one I was referring to.

[AELhammoudi]

Hi  @iulian_stan 

Thanks for your reply.

I've attempted to modify the string connection to TCPCOM before posting here, and today I tried again with no success.

The error I'm encountering after running the test case is "Cannot connect to the server." I will attach the logs for the error to provide more insight.

I also attempted to change the connection string to DAP. I'm flashing the board via a J-Link probe in DAP-CMSIS mode, and it was able to connect and detect the board. just to demonstrate if FreeMASTER Lite works.

Kind regards,
Adnan

[iulian_stan]

Hi @AELhammoudi,

There's still one change required → the `addr=` part is redundant.

Instead of

TCPCOM;addr=localhost;port=9991;timeout=500

it should be

TCPCOM;localhost;port=9991;timeout=500

'It is intentionally done to match TCP/UDP plugin.

[AELhammoudi]

Hi @iulian_stan ,

I believe the modification in the configuration file was not implemented and needs to be changed manually.

However, after removing "addr=" from the string, I encountered a new error "This feature is only available on devices supporting protocol v4 and later". Despite this, the application can still connect via the desktop application.

Kind regards,
Adnan

[iulian_stan]

Hi @AELhammoudi,

This plugin does require a newer version of the FreeMASTER Driver (that support protocol version 4). Could you provide more details about your setup:

• What board are you using ?
• What version of FreeMASTER Driver ?
  You can find the version by checking "FMSTR_VERSION" macro definition in "freemaster_defcfg.h"

[AELhammoudi]

Hi @iulian_stan 

I am using a customized board for our customer based on iMXRT1075

freemaster_defcfg.h :

/* Define global version macro */
#define FMSTR_VERSION     0x00030004
#define FMSTR_VERSION_STR "3.0.4"

freemaster_cfg.h:

// Select communication interface
#define FMSTR_TRANSPORT         FMSTR_SERIAL           // Use serial transport layer
#define FMSTR_SERIAL_DRV        FMSTR_SERIAL_BSP_COM   // Use serial driver for UART

[iulian_stan]

Hi @AELhammoudi,

I was able to reproduce your issue, it seems to be related to the used driver config (I will need to investigate it).

As a work around I could suggest using LPUART (if it is possible in your case):

//! Select communication interface
#define FMSTR_TRANSPORT         FMSTR_SERIAL    // Use serial transport layer */
#define FMSTR_SERIAL_DRV        FMSTR_SERIAL_MCUX_LPUART // Use serial driver for LPUART */

[AELhammoudi]

Hi @iulian_stan 

thank you for your response!

This is their driver implementation FMSTR_SERIAL_BSP_COM which is customized.

// Select communication interface
#define FMSTR_TRANSPORT         FMSTR_SERIAL           // Use serial transport layer
#define FMSTR_SERIAL_DRV        FMSTR_SERIAL_BSP_COM   // Use serial driver for UART

I don't think I can change it to a different driver configuration.

which driver configurations you were able to reproduce same issue with?

kind regards,
Adnan

[iulian_stan]

I used USB CDC communication configuration:

#define FMSTR_TRANSPORT         FMSTR_SERIAL
#define FMSTR_SERIAL_DRV        FMSTR_SERIAL_MCUX_USB

and got the same "This feature is only available on devices supporting protocol v4 and later" error although Driver version 3.0.4 does support protocol v4.

I thought that you used a variation of USB CDC, I did not know that you had a custom implementation.  Did you use an existing communication driver as code base or is it fully custom ?

[AELhammoudi]

Hi @iulian_stan 

Our client uses a fully customized driver trying to process the serial stream passed through the CAN interface.

I am curious about this plugin and how it can be used in FreeMASTER Lite, should I report the issue or do I have to wait?

If you need further info, please let me know.

Kind regards,
Adnan

[iulian_stan]

Hi @AELhammoudi, 

Considering FreeMASTER desktop tool is working properly with the custom driver there is an issue on FreeMASTER Lite side. At this point I logged the USB CDC issue that I was able to reproduce. Hopefully, it has the same root cause as the one you are facing.

Unfortunately, there is no short solution but to use FreeMASTER desktop tool. I may come with updates on FreeMASTER Lite in a few weeks.

In case you or your client received assistance from NXP engineers for the custom driver implementation, I could follow up with them internally. In this case please mail me their contact info.

Kind regards,
Iulian

[AELhammoudi]

Hello @iulian_stan 

I am not aware of that point of the implementation support, but I will notify the responsible to deliver this note, in case I received a useful info I will inform you for sure.

Also, I hope if something show up in the near feature please drop it here.

thanks for your support!

kind regards,

Adnan

Kin

[AELhammoudi]

Hello @iulian_stan,

I have sent a private message. Please take a look.

Kind regards,

Adnan El hammoudi