|

|  How to generate and use linker map files in IAR Linker for debugging?

How to generate and use linker map files in IAR Linker for debugging?

October 14, 2024

Optimize firmware debugging with IAR Linker map files. Learn generation and use strategies to enhance troubleshooting efficiency in your development process.

How to generate and use linker map files in IAR Linker for debugging?

 

Introduction to Linker Map Files

 

Generating and using linker map files in IAR Linker is essential for gaining insight into memory utilization, analyzing symbol addresses, and debugging complex issues in embedded systems. A linker map provides a detailed view of the memory layout and can be pivotal for optimizing and debugging firmware. This document explains how to generate and utilize linker map files effectively.

 

Generating Linker Map Files

 

To generate a linker map file in IAR Embedded Workbench, follow these configurations:

  • Open your project in IAR Embedded Workbench.
  • Navigate to Project > Options.
  • In the Options dialog, select the Linker category.
  • Under the Output tab, ensure that the Generate linker map file option is checked.

Upon building your project, the linker will produce a map file, typically with a .map extension, in your project’s output directory.

 

Understanding the Linker Map File Structure

 

The map file provides comprehensive information about the linking process, organized into several sections:

  • Summary of Sections and Mapping: Displays how different sections from the input files are mapped into memory sections. This part is crucial for understanding where each part of your code resides in memory.

  • Symbol Definitions: Lists all the symbols used in the program along with their addresses. This helps in identifying the location of functions and global variables.

  • Cross-reference Listings: This is useful for understanding which modules and files contribute specific symbols or memory sections.

  • Memory Utilization Summary: Provides a succinct overview of how much memory is used and available, split between ROM, RAM, etc.

 

Using Linker Map Files for Debugging

 

  • Analyzing Memory Usage: A map file allows you to inspect stack and heap sizes, determine which variables or code sections consume the most memory, and identify memory bloat. This is useful for optimizing memory-constrained applications.

  • Tracing Symbol Addresses: When debugging, you might need to determine the address of a specific function or variable. Use the symbol definitions section to map symbolic names to addresses.

  • Detecting Linker Errors: If there are linker errors, the map file can help track down incorrect memory allocations and overlapping sections which can be indicators of the root cause.

 

Example of Analyzing a Linker Map File Entry

 

Consider the following snippet from a typical link map file:

  0x20000000    0x20000    DATA
  *(.bss)
  .bss          0x20000000    0x20000    main.o
                0x20000000                myGlobalArray
  • Memory Section (.bss): The start address is 0x20000000, and it occupies a size of 0x20000 bytes.
  • Symbol Location: The symbol myGlobalArray is located at address 0x20000000.

 

Optimization and Fixes

 

Enhance your debugging efforts by:

  • Reorganizing Sections: Use the map file to reorganize memory sections, potentially reducing gaps and improving efficiency.

  • Reducing Code Size: Identify large sections of code or data, then refactor or use compiler/linker options to reduce size.

  • Resolving Conflict: Use the map to identify and resolve overlapping sections or symbols, which can cause mysterious breakage.

The insights gained from a linker map file guide decisions around code structure, memory allocation, and usage optimization, an invaluable part of embedded system development. Understanding how to leverage these files aids in producing efficient and reliable firmware.

Pre-order Friend AI Necklace

Limited Beta: Claim Your Dev Kit and Start Building Today

Instant transcription

Access hundreds of community apps

Sync seamlessly on iOS & Android

Order Now

Turn Ideas Into Apps & Earn Big

Build apps for the AI wearable revolution, tap into a $100K+ bounty pool, and get noticed by top companies. Whether for fun or productivity, create unique use cases, integrate with real-time transcription, and join a thriving dev community.

Get Developer Kit Now

OMI AI PLATFORM
Remember Every Moment,
Talk to AI and Get Feedback

Omi Necklace

The #1 Open Source AI necklace: Experiment with how you capture and manage conversations.

Build and test with your own Omi Dev Kit 2.

Omi App

Fully Open-Source AI wearable app: build and use reminders, meeting summaries, task suggestions and more. All in one simple app.

Github →

Join the #1 open-source AI wearable community

Build faster and better with 3900+ community members on Omi Discord

Participate in hackathons to expand the Omi platform and win prizes

Participate in hackathons to expand the Omi platform and win prizes

Get cash bounties, free Omi devices and priority access by taking part in community activities

Join our Discord → 

OMI NECKLACE + OMI APP
First & only open-source AI wearable platform

a person looks into the phone with an app for AI Necklace, looking at notes Friend AI Wearable recorded a person looks into the phone with an app for AI Necklace, looking at notes Friend AI Wearable recorded
a person looks into the phone with an app for AI Necklace, looking at notes Friend AI Wearable recorded a person looks into the phone with an app for AI Necklace, looking at notes Friend AI Wearable recorded
online meeting with AI Wearable, showcasing how it works and helps online meeting with AI Wearable, showcasing how it works and helps
online meeting with AI Wearable, showcasing how it works and helps online meeting with AI Wearable, showcasing how it works and helps
App for Friend AI Necklace, showing notes and topics AI Necklace recorded App for Friend AI Necklace, showing notes and topics AI Necklace recorded
App for Friend AI Necklace, showing notes and topics AI Necklace recorded App for Friend AI Necklace, showing notes and topics AI Necklace recorded

OMI NECKLACE: DEV KIT
Order your Omi Dev Kit 2 now and create your use cases

Omi Dev Kit 2

Endless customization

OMI DEV KIT 2

$69.99

Make your life more fun with your AI wearable clone. It gives you thoughts, personalized feedback and becomes your second brain to discuss your thoughts and feelings. Available on iOS and Android.

Your Omi will seamlessly sync with your existing omi persona, giving you a full clone of yourself – with limitless potential for use cases:

  • Real-time conversation transcription and processing;
  • Develop your own use cases for fun and productivity;
  • Hundreds of community apps to make use of your Omi Persona and conversations.

Learn more

Omi Dev Kit 2: build at a new level

Key Specs

OMI DEV KIT

OMI DEV KIT 2

Microphone

Yes

Yes

Battery

4 days (250mAH)

2 days (250mAH)

On-board memory (works without phone)

No

Yes

Speaker

No

Yes

Programmable button

No

Yes

Estimated Delivery 

-

1 week

What people say

“Helping with MEMORY,

COMMUNICATION

with business/life partner,

capturing IDEAS, and solving for

a hearing CHALLENGE."

Nathan Sudds

“I wish I had this device

last summer

to RECORD

A CONVERSATION."

Chris Y.

“Fixed my ADHD and

helped me stay

organized."

David Nigh

OMI NECKLACE: DEV KIT
Take your brain to the next level

LATEST NEWS
Follow and be first in the know

Latest news
FOLLOW AND BE FIRST IN THE KNOW

thought to action

team@basedhardware.com

company

careers

events

invest

privacy

products

omi

omi dev kit

personas

resources

apps

bounties

affiliate

docs

github

help