When creating new projects in Vitis IDE for Cortex-M1 processors, users may encounter failures during project creation with errors indicating missing Board Support Package (BSP) files or hardware definition files. This is often caused by an incomplete installation of the ARM development tools or BSPs, corrupted BSP packages, or incorrect configuration of the Vitis IDE project settings.
Common error messages
Some examples of common error messages seen during failed project creation:
- “BSP package not found”
- “Board definition xml file not found”
- “Hardware definition xml file not found”
- “GCC compiler or libraries not found”
Potential causes
There are several potential reasons why these critical files may be missing when creating a Vitis project:
Incomplete installation of ARM tools
The most common reason is an incomplete installation of the ARM development tools and BSPs. The Vitis IDE depends on the ARM compiler, BSP packages, and other utilities to be installed properly. If any components are missing, project creation will fail.
To resolve, re-install the ARM embedded toolchain and BSPs, ensuring all components are selected during installation. Pay close attention to any error messages during the install process.
Corrupted BSP package
The BSP packages containing hardware definitions and low-level libraries can sometimes become corrupted. This leads to critical files being missing or unreadable by Vitis.
Attempting to re-install the BSP over the existing installation often does not resolve the issue. It is better to completely delete the corrupt BSP package and install a fresh copy.
Incorrect project configuration
The Vitis IDE project requires correct configuration of the target processor architecture, OS, and BSP to locate the necessary tools and files. If any key settings are incorrect, the project creation will fail.
Double check that the project OS, runtime, and BSP settings match what is installed on your system. For example, if you have only installed the freeRTOS BSP, trying to create a baremetal project will result in errors due to missing files.
Moving or deleting installation files
The Vitis IDE depends on the ARM toolchain and BSP files being in specific locations defined during installation. If these files are moved or deleted after installation, Vitis will no longer be able to locate them.
Avoid moving the installation directories or deleting files within them. If necessary, re-install the tools or BSPs in the original location.
Diagnosing the root cause
When project creation fails due to missing files, follow these steps to diagnose the root cause:
- Check that the ARM embedded compiler is installed and added to your system PATH
- Verify the Board Support Package for your hardware board is installed
- Inspect the BSP installation directory and confirm no critical files are missing
- Ensure Vitis is configured to point to the correct BSP and toolchain locations
- Try creating a simple test project to isolate the problem
- Look for errors during ARM tools installation for clues
Also check community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues with the same BSP or hardware. There may be known installation or configuration problems with some BSPs.
Solutions
Reinstall ARM development tools
Often the quickest solution is to download the latest ARM embedded toolchain and BSPs for your hardware and do a clean re-installation. Ensure all components are selected during installation.
Delete corrupt BSP
If re-installing BSPs does not resolve the issue, delete the existing BSP directory completely before re-installing. Any corrupted files need to be removed.
Double check project configuration
Carefully inspect the IDE project configuration, comparing it with what is actually installed on your system. Any mismatches in OS, architecture, or BSP will lead to errors.
Update BSP and toolchain versions
Outdated BSPs or toolchain versions can also result in missing file issues. Update to the latest available versions which may contain fixes for known issues.
Point Vitis to custom locations
If you must install the ARM toolchain or BSPs in a custom location, be sure to configure Vitis to point to those locations in the preferences. The default paths assumed by Vitis may be incorrect.
Preventing issues
Following best practices can help avoid or minimize these types of issues when creating Vitis projects:
- Always install BSPs and tools to default locations
- Carefully follow installation instructions
- Validate install files and check for errors
- Keep BSPs and toolchain updated
- Delete existing BSPs completely before reinstalling
- Avoid moving or modifying installed files
Checking community forums and support resources can also provide helpful tips specific to your hardware and BSP.
With the right ARM development environment setup, Vitis Cortex-M1 projects should create successfully without missing file issues. Following troubleshooting steps and best practices will get your projects building quickly.
Summary
Vitis IDE Cortex-M1 project creation failures due to missing BSPs, hardware definitions, or toolchain files are commonly caused by incomplete or corrupt installations. Re-installing the ARM embedded tools and BSPs, deleting any corrupted files, and ensuring Vitis is properly configured will resolve most issues. Checking forum support and following installation best practices can help avoid these problems when setting up your ARM development environment.
