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AN #183 - “Reveal the secret of Stack” BASCOM-AVR - Part 1 Print
“Reveal the secret of Stack” BASCOM-AVR and the Stack Part 1 - $hwstack, $swstack, $framesize
by MAK3

The Stack is a part of SRAM (Static RAM). ). In SRAM the compiler stores user dimensioned variables, as well as internal variables, but SRAM holds also Hardware Stack, Software Stack and Frame. The Variables always start at the lowest SRAM Address. After Reset all SRAM Bytes are 0 (and strings are "") so the SRAM memory is cleared after reset. With the $noramclear option you can turn this behavior off which means the SRAM is not cleared after reset.

 

The available SRAM depends on the Chip.

 

With ATTINY13 for example you have 64Byte of SRAM and you will find this information beside the user manual in the *.DAT file. You can also double click the chip in Chip Pinout to view the chip parameters.

 

The following you find in the attiny13.dat file:                 SRAM = 64               ; SRAM size    

 

Global Variables start with the lowest SRAM Address and the Hardware Stack start with the highest SRAM Address.

$regfile = "attiny13.dat"
$crystal = 4000000
$hwstack = 30
$swstack = 0
$framesize = 24

Dim B As Byte
B
= 5


Pcmsk
= &B00000001 'PIN Change Int
ON PCINT0 pin_change_isr
Set Gimsk.5
Enable Interrupts

Do
!NOP
Loop

End 'end program

pin_change_isr
:
  B
= 7
Return

 
 

Picture1 :  Memory of ATTINY13

 

 

 

 

With an ATTINY13 the SRAM is just 64Byte and it is easy to see which SRAM Bytes will be overwritten with Bascom AVR Simulator Memory Window.

 

Click on M to display the memory window.

 

 

 

Picture 2: SRAM of ATTINY13 when executing the above ATTINY13 example in Bascom Simulator

 

You can see the Hardware Stack (32 Byte) , Frame (24 Byte) and the Variable B.

For this example you do not really need a Frame so it could be also $framesize = 0 for this example.

 

 

With ATXMEGA128A1 there is 8K Byte of SRAM available (SRAM =   8192           ; SRAM size   )

 

The Values of Stack should be ALWAYS defined at the beginning of any BASCOM-AVR Program in the main project file. The best place is right after the $REGFILE statement.

 

Example:

 

 

 

 

 

You can also use the Add to Code function in BASCOM  Menu: COMPILER >>> OPTIONS  >>> CHIP

Picture 3 : BASCOM-AVR CHIP Options

Hardware Stack ($hwstack):

The Hardware stack is room space in SRAM that is needed by your program. Each time you call a SUB or FUNCTION, or use GOSUB, the processor need to know at which address to return after returning from the call. Also for RETURN Address after Interrupt this is needed by the program. For this purpose, the processor saves this address on the hardware stack.

When you use GOSUB label, the microprocessor pushes the return address on the hardware stack and will use 2 Bytes for that. When you use RETURN, the Hardware stack is popped back and the program can continue at the proper address. When you nest GOSUB, CALL or functions, you will use more stack space. Most statements use HW stack because a machine language routine is called.

The Hardware Stack is growing top down (see picture 8). The Hardware Stack start at the highest available SRAM Address and therefore is located before Software Stack and/or Frame.

 

For further information search in the user manual of ATTINY, ATMEGA or ATXMEGA for “Stack Pointer”.

 Example  for using an Interrupt and examine Hardware Stack:

With the following example we just define and enable the Receive Interrupt of the UART and examine when clicking on Interrupt button within the Bascom-AVR Simulator Interrupts Tab how many Hardware Stack is needed.

 

$regfile = "m328pdef.dat"
$crystal = 16000000
$hwstack = 48
$swstack = 32
$framesize = 32

$baud = 19200
Config Com1 = Dummy , Synchrone = 0 , Parity = None , Stopbits = 1 , Databits = 8 , Clockpol = 0

Dim Rs232 As Byte


'Enable Receive Interrupt for COM1
On Urxc Rxc_isr
Enable Urxc
Enable Interrupts

Do
!nop
Loop

End

Rxc_isr
:
Rs232
= Inkey()
Print Rs232
Return

 

 

With this example we see (by counting the changed SRAM Bytes in Bascom Simulator Memory Window) that Software Stack is NOT needed but at least 39 Byte of Hardware Stack and the Frame with the 24 Byte conversion buffer because of PRINT.

 

Most of the 39 Bytes are the saved Registers when jumping in Interrupt Service Routine. These are SREG , R31 to R16 and R11 to R0 with exception of R6,R8 and R9.

 

The following should be considered in any case (not only when using NOSAVE):

Take care when using floating point math in the ISR because the Register R12 to R15 are not saved in the regular process of processor register backup. Using floating point math in ISR is not recommended anyway.

 

When you try the same example with  NOSAVE () you will see the example will need less Hardware Stack but you are responsible then to save all of the Registers with PUSH and POP in the Interrupt Service Routine that are needed or changed during the Interrupt Service Routine.

The easier, and above all safer way is not using NOSAVE which is also the default way.

 

Picture 4 : The Hardware Stack will be filled by clicking the Bascom-AVR Simulator Interrupt:

 

Picture 5 : By clicking on the Interrupts Button will fire an interrupt in Simulator

 

Take also care when using Config Serialin in combination with UART when you want to use the BYTEMATCH option. In this case NOSAVE is DEFAULT so you need to PUSH and POP the Registers you use during the Interrupt Service Routine. The easy way out is using PUSHALL and POPALL but this is also the most time-consuming way in regards of cycles needed to go though the ISR.

 

Serial2charmatch:
  Pushall
  'Your code here !
  Popall
Return

 

How to determine which Register are changed during an Interrupt Service Routine when using NOSAVE option ?

 

When using NOSAVE you are responsible to PUSH and POPP the register

For this we use the same code as in the example before but use the NOSAVE option:

 

$regfile = "m328pdef.dat"
$crystal = 16000000
$hwstack = 48
$swstack = 32
$framesize = 32

$baud = 19200
Config Com1 = Dummy , Synchrone = 0 , Parity = None , Stopbits = 1 , Databits = 8 , Clockpol = 0

Dim Rs232 As Byte

'Enable Receive Interrupt for COM1
On Urxc Rxc_isr NOSAVE
Enable Urxc
Enable Interrupts

Do
!nop
Loop

End

Rxc_isr
:
Rs232
= Inkey()
Print Rs232
Return

 

Compile it and open Bascom Simulator. Under µP you find a Button with  the Snapshot function.

With Snapshot you see which register values are changed and we use this to see which register values are changed during the Interrupt Service Routine.

 

Run the Simulator  then goto µP Tab.

 

 

 

 

Click on Snapshot then switch to the Interrupts Tab and click on the URCX Button which fires an Interrupt.

 

 

Picture 6: Interrupts in Bascom Simulator

 

 

Then go back to µP Tab and click on STOP Snapshot.

Now you see the changed Registers and can add the PUSH and POP to the Interrupt Service Routine.

 

Picture 7: How to determine which Register are changed during an Interrupt Service Routine

 

When registers are changed which are not in the first 32 Register so search for “Register Summary” in the user manual of for example ATMEGA devices.

$5F for example is the SREG Register for an ATMEGA32.

One solution for the ISR for this example is:

 

Rxc_isr:
  push r0
' save used register
  push r10
  push r24

  !in r24,sreg ' save sreg
  push r24
  push r25
  push r26
  push r30
  Rs232
= Inkey()
  Print Rs232

  pop r30
  pop r26
  pop r25
  pop r24
  !out sreg,r24 ' restore sreg
  pop r24 ' and the used register
  pop r10
  pop r0
Return

Software Stack ($swstack):

Software Stack stores the parameter addresses passed to a subroutine and LOCAL variable addresses.

So the Software stack stores the addresses of variables where each passed variable and local variable use 2 bytes per respective addresses.

 

When using SUB or FUNCTION there are 3 ways for parameters:

· Using BYREF pass a variable by reference with its ADDRESS (so it is pointing to an existing variable which is already in SRAM)

· Using BYVAL the value is stored in FRAME (during the SUB is processed) so it is pointing to the address in FRAME.

· Using BYLABEL pass the address of a label

When nothing is specified the parameter will be passed BYREF.

 

 

If you have used 10 locals in a SUB and there are 3 parameters passed to it, you need:

(10 * 2 Byte) +  (3 * 2 Byte) = 26 Byte Software Stack.

 

The following SUB need 10 Byte of Software Stack:

5* 2 Byte = 10 Byte

 

 

 

So the software stack size can be calculated by taking the maximum number of parameter passed to a SUB routine, adding the number of LOCAL variables and multiplying the result by 2. To be safe, add 4 more bytes for internally used LOCAL variables.

 

If you have several SUB or FUNCTIONS search for the SUB or FUNCTION with the most parameters and LOCAL variables and use that calculated maximum numbers for defining the Software Stack ($swstack).

The Software Stack is growing top down (see picture 8) and start direct after the Hardware Stack. The Software Stack grows against the FRAME.

 

Picture 8: Memory of ATXMEGA128A1

Frame ($framesize)

Functions like PRINT, LCD, INPUT and the FP num <>  FORMAT(),  String conversion routines require a buffer in SRAM. Because of that the compiler always is using 24 bytes of frame space. This 24 Byte start at the beginning of the Frame which act as the conversion buffer within the frame. (See also picture 8).

Because the FRAME is growing bottom up and this 24 Byte start at the beginning of the FRAME this 24 Byte conversion buffer start at the lowest FRAME Address (See picture 8). Here you also see that a too small $framesize causes an overwriting of Software Stack and/or Hardware Stack which lead to malfunction.

 

 

A LOCAL variable is a temporary variable that is stored in frame.

There can be only LOCAL variables of the type BYTE, INTEGER, WORD, LONG, SINGLE, DOUBLE or STRING.

 

 

 

A LOCAL Integer will use 2 Bytes of Frame ,

A LOCAL Long will use 4 Bytes.

A LOCAL string * 20 will use 20 + 1 = 21 Byte (this additional 1 Byte is because every String is terminated with a 0-Byte)

 

 

 When the SUB or FUNCTION is terminated, the memory will be released back to the frame but the FRAME will not be cleared ! Therefore a LOCAL variable is not initialized. So you can not assume the variable is 0. If you like it to be 0, you need to assign it !

 

 BIT variables are not possible as LOCAL because they are always GLOBAL to the system.

 Arrays can NOT be used as LOCAL (but arrays can be passed by REFERENCE as parameter to SUB and FUNCTIONS which just need 2 Bytes Software Stack of the Address of Array start)

 

Example FRAME calculation:

 

 

Now we calculate the FRAME:

The Print A1 will be placed in the first frame-Byte of the 24 Byte conversion buffer.

5 LOCAL Byte (A1 … A5)  =  5 Byte of FRAME

LOCAL String: 254 Byte + 1 Byte = 255 Byte

Frame needed = 24Byte Frame conversion Buffer + 5 Byte + 255 Byte = 284 Byte

This can be easy double checked with BASCOM-AVR Simulator (see picture 9 on next page).

 

In picture 9 you see the start of FRAME which start with the 24Byte conversion buffer. The 31 in the first Frame Byte is from Print A1. After the 24 Byte conversion buffer follow the 5 Local Byte variables (A1 …. A5) and then the 255 Byte for the LOCAL String.

 

Picture 9 Memory window of BASCOM-AVR Simulator (Frame calculation example)

 

As with Software Stack you need to calculate the Framesize needed by the SUB or FUNCTION with the most LOCAL Variables and parameter passed by REFERENCE etc..

 

Take care when calling a SUB within a SUB. In this case you need to add the FRAME needed by both SUB !

When both SUB need 284 Byte you need to use:

24 Byte conversion Buffer + 2* 5 Byte (A1…A5) + 2*255 Byte (String) = 544 Byte

(the conversion buffer is needed only once !)

 

Following you find the full example for calculation of FRAME:

 

$regfile = "xm128a1def.dat"
$crystal = 32000000 '32MHz
$hwstack = 64
$swstack = 128
$framesize = 288


$lib "xmega.lib"
$external _xmegafix_clear
$external _xmegafix_rol_r1014

Config Osc = Enabled , 32mhzosc = Enabled '32MHz

'configure the systemclock
Config Sysclock = 32mhz , Prescalea = 1 , Prescalebc = 1_1 '32MHz

'Config Interrupts
Config Priority = Static , Vector = Application , Lo = Enabled 'Enable Lo Level Interrupts
Config Com1 = 57600 , Mode = Asynchroneous , Parity = None , Stopbits = 1 , Databits = 8


Declare Sub My_sub()

Call My_sub()

End 'end program

Sub My_sub()
 Local A1 As Byte , A2 As Byte , A3 As Byte , A4 As Byte , A5 As Byte
 Local S As String * 254

 For A1 = 1 To 254
   S
= S + "1"
 Next A1


 A1
= 1
 A2
= 2
 A3
= 3
 A4
= 4
 A5
= 5
 Print A1

End Sub

 

 

 

Testprogram for following examples:

 

For further investigation of Stacks and Frame we use a SUB with 5 LOCAL Byte Variables and a PRINT function within the SUB. We start with hwstack, swstack and framesize defined and in second step we set swstack to 0. In addition we will lower the framesize to a not recommended value to force overwriting of other stack bytes.

 

$regfile = "xm128a1def.dat"
$crystal = 32000000 '32MHz
$hwstack = 64
$swstack = 128
$framesize = 256


$lib "xmega.lib"
$external _xmegafix_clear
$external _xmegafix_rol_r1014

Config Osc = Enabled , 32mhzosc = Enabled '32MHz

'configure the systemclock
Config Sysclock = 32mhz , Prescalea = 1 , Prescalebc = 1_1 '32MHz

'Config Interrupts
Config Priority = Static , Vector = Application , Lo = Enabled 'Enable Lo Level Interrupts
Config Com1 = 57600 , Mode = Asynchroneous , Parity = None , Stopbits = 1 , Databits = 8



Declare Sub My_sub()



Call My_sub()


End 'end program

Sub My_sub()
 Local A1 As Byte , A2 As Byte , A3 As Byte , A4 As Byte , A5 As Byte

 A1
= 1
 A2
= 2
 A3
= 3
 A4
= 4
 A5
= 5
 Print A1

End Sub

 

 

 

The first example use $hwstack = 64,  $swstack = 128, $framesize = 256

 

Here we see the 64 Byte Hardware Stack followed by 128 Byte Software Stack and then 256 Byte Frame. As always the Frame is the 24 Byte conversion buffer + rest of frame.

 

 

 

Picture 10 : SRAM for Example with $hwstack = 64,  $swstack = 128, $framesize = 256

 

 

 

The Simulator Memory Window show give us the details:

 

 

Picture 11: Simulator Memory Window for Example with $hwstack = 64,  $swstack = 128, $framesize = 256

The second example use $hwstack = 64,  $swstack = 0, $framesize = 256

 

Without defining a software Stack or with $swstack = 0 the Frame follows direct after the Hardware Stack. The Frame is as always 24 Byte conversion buffer + Rest of Frame.

Rest of Frame is in this case:  256 Byte – 24 Byte = 232 Byte

 

Picture 12: SRAM for example with $hwstack = 64,  $swstack = 0, $framesize = 256

 

 

In the BASCOM Simulator Window you now see the addresses of the LOCAL variables are now stored in FRAME (which are usually in the Software Stack). This is not a problem as long as the Frame is big enough not to overwrite these addresses of the LOCAL variables.

 

(Remember: Address of LOCAL variables are stored in Software Stack (when Software Stack is defined) . The LOCAL Variables itself are stored in FRAME)

 

And here you see also with the 24 Byte conversion buffer the absolute minimum you need to define for software Stack and Framesize together is 24 Byte !

But this is not the recommendation. The recommendation is always define values for all Stack and Frame !

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture 13: Simulator Memory Window for Example with $hwstack = 64,  $swstack = 0, $framesize = 256

 

 

For an ATXMEGA or ATMEGA you have usually enough SRAM so you can start with higher values of Stack and Frame.

 

With an ATTINY13 and 64Byte SRAM it is a challenge but also start with all stack defined and lower the Stack Values when your application program grows.

· Don’t use SUB or FUNCTIONS

· If you use Functions like PRINT, LCD, INPUT and the FP num <>  FORMAT(),  String conversion you need to define the 24 Byte conversion buffer (at least 24Byte for Software Stack + FRAME together).

In this case just 9 Bytes are left for global variables !

 

The third example show what can happen when you define NO Stacks or Frame (which is still often seen in Forums) or when you define not enough Stack or Frame. In this example we use:

$hwstack = 64,  $swstack = 0, $framesize = 8

 

As we know now Software Stack and FRAME together must be as absolute minimum 24 Byte (for the conversion buffer) so we force the overwriting of Hardware Stack which causes malfunction.

 

(Reminder: Don’t start with the lowest values for Stack and Frame)

 

 

Picture 14 : SRAM for example with$hwstack = 64,  $swstack = 0, $framesize = 8

 

 

 

You can now imagine what could happen:

· Because of overwritten return address in Hardware Stack the micro is jumping to somewhere else and malfunction if forced.

· Functions like PRINT overwrite addresses of LOCAL Variables and here also will the micro jump to somewhere else and malfunction is forced.

 

 

Picture 15: Simulator Memory Windows for example with $hwstack = 64,  $swstack = 0, $framesize = 8

 

 

Now an example for passing an Array to a SUB:

 

 

With this example we see the complete SRAM.

The SRAM start with the dimed variables. In this case it start with the variable I followed by the Array Ar of  16 Byte and in the end the variable B.

 

Because it is easier with the memory window of  Bascom Simulator I choose multiple of 16 for Stack and Framesize.

We have here 2 Addresses stored in Software Stack. One address for the Array and one address for the variable B.

 

So passing an Array to a SUB just need 2 Bytes for the address in Stack which is the same size as for one Byte variable (her variable B).

Picture 16: Simulator Memory Window for example passing an Array to a SUB

 

 

With this example you also see that especially with ATTINY and smaller ATMEGA it is not that complicated to see if other SRAM bytes will be overwritten by something and causes malfunction.

You have with the Simulator window the “big picture” of SRAM and STACK together.

 

As already written it is easier to use multiple of 16 for Hardware Stack, Software Stack and FRAME as a starting point because one line in Simulator Memory window is 16 Bytes.

 

 

How to see which Variables are stored on  which SRAM Byte ?

This is only possible for the variables itself and not for the address of an variable.

You can find out the stored variable with the Bascom-AVR Simulator Memory Window by clicking on that byte.

Click on SRAM Bytes show the OCCUPIED BY in the footer of that window.

Only the first Byte of an Array will show the Name of the Array !

Picture 17: How to see which Variables are stored on  which SRAM Byte

You can also find this information in the Compiler output report:

In this case under VARIABLES

 

Picture 18: How to see which Variables are stored on  which SRAM Address

 

Internal Variables in the Bascom-AVR Simulator Memory Window

 

The following small example is good for examining the Bascom-AVR internal variables like _sec, _min or _hour in Bascom-AVR Simulator Memory Window.

 

Config Clock =  User  for example create the internal variables for seconds (_sec), minutes (_min) ,hour (_hour) etc…. You can see this variables by clicking on the SRAM Byte and watch the footer of that Bascom-AVR Simulator Memory Window footer.

 

$regfile = "m88def.dat"
$hwstack = 48
$swstack = 80
$framesize = 80

Config Clock = User

End 'end program

Picture 19: Internal Variables in the Bascom-AVR Simulator Memory Window

 

List of References:

BASCOM-AVR Help File

MCS-Electronics

MAK3

MWS

Bascom Forums:

http://www.mcselec.com/index2.php?option=com_forum&Itemid=59

http://bascomforum.de/

Used Bascom-AVR Version = 2.0.4.0