Synergy Software Package User's Manual
Block Media Framework on sf_block_media_ram

Block Media RAM Framework Module Introduction

The Block Media Framework Module can implement the file system on RAM for reading from, writing to and controlling the read/write region of the RAM memory. The framework has all the functionality needed to interface with a file system through a block media interface.

Block Media RAM Framework Module Features

  • Enables FileX to be run on linear memory-mapped devices.
  • Temporary and fast storage of data on RAM.
block_media_RAM_BD.png
Block Media RAM Framework Module Block Diagram

Block Media RAM Framework Module APIs Overview

The Block Media RAM Framework module implements APIs to open, read from, write to and close the module.  A complete list of the available APIs, an example API call and a short description of each can be found in the following table. A table of status return values follows the API summary table.

Block Media RAM Framework Module API Summary

Function Name Example API Call and Description
open g_sf_block_media_ram0.p_api->open (g_sf_block_media_ram0.p_ctrl, g_sf_block_media_ram0.p_cfg);
Open device for read, write and control.
read g_sf_block_media_ram0.p_api->read (g_sf_block_media_ram0.p_ctrl, p_dest, start_block, block_count);
Read data from RAM buffer.
write g_sf_block_media_ram0.p_api->write (g_sf_block_media_ram0.p_ctrl, p_source, start_block, block_count);
Write data to RAM buffer.
ioctl g_sf_block_media_ram0.p_api->ioctl (g_sf_block_media_ram0.p_ctrl, command, p_data);
Send control commands to and receive status of RAM buffer.
close g_sf_block_media_ram0.p_api->close (g_sf_block_media_ram0.p_ctrl);
Close the framework.
versionGet g_sf_block_media_ram0.p_api->versionGet(&version);
Retrieve the API version with the version pointer.
Note
For more complete descriptions of operation and definitions for the function data structures, typedefs, defines, API data, API structures, and function variables, review the SSP User's Manual API References for the associated module.

Status Return Values

Name Description
SSP_SUCCESS API Call Successful.
SSP_ERR_UNSUPPORTED Command not supported.
SSP_ERR_NOT_OPEN Unit is not open.
SSP_ERR_ASSERTION A parameter is NULL.
SSP_ERR_IN_USE Framework is already open.
SSP_ERR_INVALID_BLOCKS Invalid block passed.
Note
Lower-level drivers may return common error codes. Refer to the SSP User's Manual API References for the associated module for a definition of all relevant status return values.

Block Media RAM Framework Module Operational Overview

The Block Media Framework Interface is simply an abstract interface using function pointers instead of direct function calls. Functions are called between the FileX and the SSP block media drivers, such as the SDMMC, SPI Flash and SDRAM/RAM. The interface remains the same for any media driver, so all media drivers appear functionally identical at the file I/O layer and can be interchanged with one another without changing code. Device adaptation drivers, such as the sf_block_media_ram, are accessed through the Block Media Framework Interface and provide device specific code needed to perform media I/O operations. Configuration and control structures passed through block media function calls are generally device specific as well.

Block Media RAM Framework Module Important Operational Notes and Limitations

Block Media RAM Framework Module Operational Notes

The media must be formatted before you can open the media and begin creating, writing to and reading from files. The memory area used must be directly readable and writable by the core. Internal SRAM or SDRAM size should be sufficient for the Block Media RAM and there will be no persistence of data across the power cycles. Block count must be assigned by considering the boot record, FAT area, root directory and directory sector. If the File System is used on RAM then the minimum block count must be 4, as the first 3 sectors are reserved for boot record, FAT area and root directory and the 4th sector is used for data sector. The "Format media during initialization" property needs to be enabled to use RAM for FileX. The "File System is on block media" property needs to be true inorder to configure the block count and block size from the block media RAM.

Block Media RAM Framework Module Limitations

Refer to the most recent SSP Release Notes for any additional operational limitations for this module.

Including the Block Media RAM Framework Module in an Application

This section describes how to include the Block Media RAM Framework Module in an application using the SSP configurator.

Note
This section assumes you are familiar with creating a project, adding threads, adding a stack to a thread and configuring a block within the stack. If you are unfamiliar with any of these items, refer to the first few chapters of the SSP User's Manual to learn how to manage each of these important steps in creating SSP-based applications.

To add the Block Media RAM Framework to an application, simply add it to a thread using the stacks selection sequence given in the following table. (The default name for the Block Media RAM Framework is g_sf_block_media_ram0. This name can be changed in the associated Properties window.)

Block Media RAM Framework Module Selection Sequence

Resource ISDE Tab Stacks Selection Sequence
g_sf_block_media_ram0 Block Media Framework on sf_block_media_ram Threads New Stack> Framework> File System> Block Media Framework on sf_block_media_ram

When the Block Media RAM Framework on sf_block_media_ram is added to the thread stack as shown in the following figure, the configurator automatically adds any needed lower‑level modules. Any modules needing additional configuration information have the box text highlighted in Red. Modules with a Gray band are individual modules that stand alone. Modules with a Blue band are shared or common; they need only be added once and can be used by multiple stacks. Modules with a Pink band can require the selection of lower-level modules; these are either optional or recommended. (This is indicated in the block with the inclusion of this text.) If the addition of lower-level modules is required, the module description includes Add in the text. Clicking on any Pink banded modules brings up the New icon and displays possible choices.

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Block Media RAM Framework Module Stack

Configuring the Block Media RAM Framework Module

The Block Media RAM Framework Module must be configured by the user for the desired operation. The available configuration settings and defaults for all the user-accessible properties are given in the properties tab within the SSP configurator and are shown in the following tables for easy reference. Only properties that can be changed without causing conflicts are available for modification. Other properties are locked and not available for changes and are identified with a lock icon for the locked property in the Properties window in the ISDE. This approach simplifies the configuration process and makes it much less error-prone than previous manual approaches to configuration. The available configuration settings and defaults for all the user-accessible properties are given in the Properties tab within the SSP Configurator and are shown in the following tables for easy reference.

Note
You may want to open your ISDE, create the module and explore the property settings in parallel with looking over the following configuration table settings. This will help orient you and can be a useful 'hands-on' approach to learning the ins and outs of developing with SSP.

Configuration Settings for the Block Media RAM Framework Module on sf_block_media_ram

ISDE Property Value Description
Parameter Checking BSP, Enabled, Disabled

Default: BSP
Enable or disable the parameter checking.
Name g_sf_block_media_ram0 Module name.
Block size of media in bytes 512 Block size of media in bytes selection.
Number of blocks to allocate 16 To make use of file system, block count must be assigned by considering the boot record, FAT area and root directory.
Enter the valid section for RAM buffer allocation noinit Enter the valid section for RAM buffer allocation.
Note
The example settings and defaults are for a project using the Synergy S7G2 MCU Group. Other MCUs may have different default values and available configuration settings.

Block Media RAM Framework Module Clock Configuration

The Block Media RAM Framework module uses the ICLK as the source for the internal RAM.  

Block Media RAM Framework Module Pin Configuration

The Block Media RAM Framework module uses internal RAM so no external pins are required.

Using the Block Media RAM Framework Module in an Application

The steps in using the Block Media RAM Framework module on sf_block_media_ram in a typical application are:

  1. Initialize the media using the FileX API, fx_system_initialize (sf_el_fx calls it automatically).
  2. Format the media using FileX API, fx_media_format (sf_el_fx calls it automatically if "Format media during initialization" property is set to Enabled). This Format media is optional if media has already been formatted. Anything on the media will erase while media is formatted. (Optional)
  3. Open the media using the FileX API fx_media_open (sf_el_fx opens the media automatically).
  4. Read the media as required using the sf_block_media_api_t::read API (Block Media Framework) or one of the FileX APIs, for example, fx_media_read(), fx_file_read().
  5. Write to the media as required using the sf_block_media_api_t::write API (Block Media Framework) or one of the FileX APIs, for example, fx_media_write(), fx_file_write().

These common steps are illustrated in a typical operational flow diagram in the following figure:

block_media_ram_TA.png
Flow Diagram of a Typical Block Media RAM Framework Module Application