= AVR Studio =

This page describes how to use AVR Studio for debugging Nano-RK applications running on a single node. AVR Studio is good for debugging execution of complicated C / Assembly algorithms, or debugging memory problems.  It is not good for simulating network interactions or multiple nodes communicating.  For that you need a network wide simulation environment.

In order to run Nano-RK inside AVR Studio, you will need version 4.13 build 571 or newer.  This can be downloaded for free from the following link: http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?tool_id=2725

'''Step 1:  Install AVR Studio[[BR]]'''

'''Step 2:  Install AVR Studio Service Pack 2[[BR]]'''

'''Step 3:  Install Nano-RK and WinAVR on a Windows Machine[[BR]]'''
 * This is required so that the source can be correctly linked against the binary file.  Using a binary built in linux works except that you will not be able to browse the connected C source, just the assembly (with no comments!).

'''Step 4:  Build an elf file[[BR]]'''
 * The Nano-RK build system automatically builds the elf file when you run make in a project.  To test this, go into a project like basic_tasks and type "make".  You should see the following files:
  * main.o
  * main.d
  * main.lst
  * main.eep
  * main.lss  
   * You may need to run make twice for this one.  It is an extended list file with all assembly code for all functions
  * main.sym
  * main.map
  * main.hex
  * '''main.elf'''  
   * This is the file we need for the simulator!
   * You can copy this file to a separate debugging directory if you like...

'''Step 5:  Start up AVR Studio[[BR]]'''
 * Start-> Programs -> Atmel AVR Tools -> AVR Studio 4

'''Step 6: Load the elf file[[BR]]'''
 * Click "Open" and navigate to your .elf file
 * On the next screen, save the .aps file in the same directory. 
  * This file is used to store debugger settings etc

'''Step 7: AVR Simulator Settings[[BR]]'''
 * For the Debugging Platform select: AVR Simulator
 * For the Device select: ATmega1281
 * Press Finish
 * make sure you see something like the following in the Messages window:

{{{
Loaded plugin STK500
Loaded partfile: E:\Program Files\Atmel\AVR Tools\PartDescriptionFiles\ATmega1281.xml
AVR Simulator: Please wait while configuring simulator...
AVR Simulator: ATmega1281 Configured OK
Loaded objectfile: E:\Documents and Settings\agr\Desktop\nrk-debug\main.elf
}}}



'''Step 8: Set processor speed [[BR]]'''
 * Go Debug Menu -> AVR Simulator Options
 * Set Frequency to 8 MHz

----

= Tips =

'''View -> Memory'''
 * This lets you look at the various memories on the processor.

'''View -> Watch'''
 * This lets you monitor particular variables in your code.
 * Select the variable in your code window and then right click -> Add Watch: "xxx"

'''Setting Breakpoints'''
 * You can set break points anywhere in your code (even in sections not currently displayed in the debugger)
 * File -> Open File
  * Navigate to any source file in Nano-RK
  * Once it opens, you can right click -> Toggle Breakpoint
  * This will cause the simulator to stop once it reaches that point

'''Dissassembler Window'''
  * View -> Disassembler will show the raw assembly
  * You can switch back and forth from the C code to the assembly code etc

----

= Trouble? =


If you see the following in the Message Window:
{{{
Coordinator: The object file does not contain source code information.
}}}
You probably did not select the elf file (the hex file will load without source) or you are using an old version of AVR Studio.