FRDM-KL25Z debugging too slow with Keil 5.1

[alniemi]

When single-stepping code (in flash) using the CMSIS-DAP Debugger on the FRDM-KL25Z with Keil 5.11 MDK it takes about 5 seconds
for each assembly-line to execute.  Any ideas on what would cause this to be so slow?  I am using the standard CMSIS and Device startup files when I create a new MKL25Z4 project.   I should mention that debugging using the Pemicro OSJtag mode is fast enough, but then I lose some of the CMSIS features.  Keil Support says that this problem is likely on the FRDM-KL25Z board side and that I should just buy their ARM boards instead, which they claim work well in CMSIS-DAP mode.

[mjbcswitzerland]

Hi

Have you tried removing all breakpoints?

The KL has limited breakpoints and the debugger may move to a SW breakpoint mode when these are used up, where it can become very slow.

Regards

Mark

[alniemi]

I’m not using any breakpoints, just single-stepping thru this simple assembly code line by line and observing the registers. It takes over 5 secs per step.

EXPORT main

AREA Add_Two, CODE, READONLY

ENTRY

main

MOVS r0, #5

MOVS r1, #6

ADDS r2, r0, r1

Self B Self

END

I manually copied the code from Flash to RAM, and ran from there, but it still does the slow-step.

Thanks. -Al

[mjbcswitzerland]

Hi

Do you have any views open (maybe in the background) that have to be update after each step?

Maybe Keil is right that the board/its debugger doesn't correctly support the features that you are using it for (?) however I did give up on the (now legacy) RealView ICE since it never managed more than a few steps without crashing...

Perhaps you can use the PE for most work and just accept teh slowness when you absolutely need the CMSIS features (although I have to admit to not knowing what the advantages are of the features - can you explain)?

Regards

Mark

[alniemi]

No other debugging features enabled, I just enter the debugger, set the PC and single-step – very slowly.

The CMSIS-DAP Debugger in Keil allows for real-time Watch and Memory windows and other more advanced features, whereas the PEmicro Debugger does not (with Keil).

Thanks.

-Al

[Hui_Ma]

Hi,

I do a test using Keil 5.1 step debug KL25 chip with FRDM-KL25Z, while I don't meet your mentioned issue.

The step debug runs as expected. You could check attached video file about detailed info.

I would recommend to download and install [Freescale Kinetis OSJTAG Drivers V1.20] from below link:

Freescale Kinetis OSJTAG Drivers V1.20

Keil Embedded Development Tools for ARM, Cortex-M, Cortex-R4, 8051, C166, and 251 processor families...

BTW: I am using Keil provided KL25 example projects, which downloaded from [Pack Installer], below picture shows detailed info:

Wish it helps.
best regards
Ma Hui

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[alniemi]

Hello,

§ It sounds like the testing that you did was using the Pemicro OSJtag debugger which is fast enough, but I’m trying to use the CMSIS-DAP debugger so that I have all the CMSIS features in Keil such as real-time Watch and Memory windows and other more advanced feature. The PEmicro Debugger (OSJtag) does not support these with Keil.

When single-stepping code (in flash) using the CMSIS-DAP Debugger on the FRDM-KL25Z with Keil 5.11 MDK it takes about 5 seconds

for each assembly-line to execute. I am using the standard CMSIS and Device startup files when I create a new MKL25Z4 project.

Thanks.

-Al

[jameswnorowski]

I had the same problem with my KL16Z based project in keil 5.11.1 (uVision)

Each line of assembly took me 5 seconds to step through.

Eventually, my coworker realized that the problem was all the watch windows I had open.

Once the watch widows and memory windows were closed, the debugger worked much more quickly, as I was used to on an earlier project.

[Hui_Ma]

Hi,

Yes, in previous test, I am using OpenSDA debugger.

Today I do another test with mbed CMSIS DAP firmware with FRDM-KL25Z board, which works a CMSIS DAP debugger.

And I also could step debug code fast same as OpenSDA with Keil V5.1.

I am using below firmware image:

http://mbed.org/media/uploads/sam_grove/20140530_k20dx128_kl25z_if_opensda.s19

More detailed info about mbed Firmware, please check below link:

http://mbed.org/handbook/Firmware-FRDM-KL25Z

Wish it helps.
best regards
Ma Hui

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