SR110 Build and Flash with VS Code

This document provides concise, VS Code-only steps to build, convert images, flash, and debug SR110 applications. For common extension features (installation, tools, SDK import, logging, memory analysis), see Astra MCU SDK VS Code Extension User Guide.

Throughout this guide, <sdk-root> refers to the directory where you extracted or cloned the SDK.

Table of Contents

Prerequisites

Build and Deploy Flow

The Build and Deploy view allows running each step one at a time or sequentially.

If you check Build Configurations, Image Conversion, and Image Flashing, all three operations run sequentially. Each step automatically fills in required information for the next step, such as the .elf/.axf file or .bin file.

You may also run each step one at a time if desired.

The steps do not run until the Run button at the bottom of the view is pressed.

Environment Setup

  1. Import the SDK root and set workspace SRSDK_DIR to <sdk-root> via the Import SDK view.

  2. Import the project you want to build via the Import Project view.

  3. Open Build and Deploy from the Imported Projects view and set Device -> SR110.

  4. If multiple projects are imported, select the correct project in the Build and Deploy project dropdown.

Build and Deploy Window

Build Configurations (SR110)

Purpose: Generate .elf/.axf for SR110 firmware (cm55).

Steps:

  1. Check the Build Configurations checkbox.

  2. If multiple projects are imported, select the correct project in the Build and Deploy project dropdown.

  3. Select the desired Build Configuration:

    • Release for flashing

    • Debug for GDB debugging

  4. Select the target Board and Board Revision.

    • Board Revision is printed on the bottom of Astra Machina Micro.

  5. Choose the desired Compiler and Build Toolchain.

  6. Select the application from the Application dropdown.

  7. Choose the appropriate build option:

Option

What it does

When to use it

SDK Build (default_package)

Generates the shared SDK foundation in <sdk-root>/install.

Use this first to prepare the common SDK package required by project builds.

Build (SDK+Project)

Builds the SDK components required by the app based on the app configuration, installs them into the app-local install folder, and then builds the example using that generated install package.

Use this when building an app for the first time and the required SDK components have not yet been generated for that app.

Build (Project)

Builds the active SR110 project using project-local artifacts.

Use this during normal development when you want a fresh build for the selected project.

Build (Use Pre-built SDK)

Builds the active SR110 project against the common install root in <sdk-root>/install.

Use this to reuse an existing SDK package and avoid rebuilding shared components.

Notes:

  • If Build Configurations is disabled, verify that SRSDK_DIR is set correctly through the Import SDK view.

Result:

  • Build outputs are generated under the project’s out/sr110_<Build_Type>/<Build_Mode>/ directory.

  • Example output: out/sr110_cm55_fw/release/sr110_cm55_fw.elf

  • The executable extension depends on the selected compiler: .elf for GCC/LLVM and .axf for AC6.

SR110 Build UI

Image Conversion (SR110)

Purpose: Convert .axf/.elf outputs into flashable .bin images.

Steps (basic):

  1. Check the Image Conversion checkbox.

  2. The built .elf/.axf path is auto-populated after the build completes.

  3. Select Flash Image

  4. Select Secured

  5. For flash images, choose Flash Type (default GD25LE128) and Flash Frequency (default 67).

  6. Click Run to convert.

Optional (advanced):

  • Convert a model bin when needed by selecting the model file and its security setting.

Result:

  • Converted binaries are written under out/bin_files/Output/B0_Flash/B0_flash_full_image_GD25LE128_67Mhz_secured.bin

SR110 Image Conversion

Image Flashing (SR110)

  1. Check the Image Flashing checkbox.

If you are running WSL, please consult the Astra MCU SDK - WSL User Guide to ensure USB ports are properly handled.

Interface

There are three methods to update the flash connected to the SR110 on the Astra Machina Micro development kit.

FW mode (UART/CDC)

This is the device firmware update (DFU) mechanism. For this method to work an image with the Host API and FW Update enabled must be running on the SR110. By default the communication protocol is USB CDC. This USB CDC enumerates on J13 of the Astra Machina Micro.

  1. Plug J13 into the Astra Machina Micro and press reset.

  2. Open Image Flashing and select Interface → FW Update (Application Chip).

  3. Connect to the enumerated CDC Port.

  4. Set Select Command to Burn File to Flash.

  5. After flashing completes reset the SR110.

Note: For FW update, ensure only J13 is plugged in during the update process.

ROM

The SR110 has a ROM boot mechanism. To enable ROM boot the boot strap must be set properly.

  1. On the Astra Machina Micro set SW1.2 in the “on” position, closer to the “KE” text on the switch.

  2. After setting the boot strap reset the SR110.

  3. Open Image Flashing and select Interface → ROM.

  4. Connect an external USB to UART converter to J28.

  5. Select the COM Port: that matches your external USB to UART converter.

  6. After flashing is complete put SW1.2 back to off position and reset the SR110 to allow the code to run from external flash.

Advanced options

FW Update (Debug IC): This only needs to be run the first time you recieve the Astra Machina Micro or if the SDK ships with a new version.

  • In Advanced Options, select FW Update (Debug IC).

  • Choose the Debug IC COM port and select tools/Debug_IC_FW/Debug_IC_FW.bin

  • Click Run, then unplug/replug the USB cable when finished.

  • Note: When updating Debug IC FW, ensure only J14 USB is plugged in.

Debugging (SR110)

Steps:

  1. Build with Debug

  2. Check the Debug Options and confirm the AXF/ELF path.

  3. Select Adapter driver (CMSIS-DAP or J-Link) and keep Use default config file (or choose Provide custom config file to browse to a config).

  4. Choose Mode:

    • Download and Reset Program (typical)

    • Attach to Running Program

    • Attach and Halt Program

  5. Click Run to start the debugger.

Running Examples

After flashing, reset the board and follow the example README for runtime instructions.

USB CDC Image Streaming (Windows)

Some vision examples stream image data over USB CDC. On Windows, install the correct driver for the streaming port. These steps will only work once a Vision example has been flashed onto the SR110. After flashing the vison example into the SR110 ensure both J14 and J13 USB are plugged in and reset the board.

Hardware setup:

  • Connect J13 for streaming

  • Keep J14 connected for power and console

Driver setup (Zadig):

  1. Download Zadig from https://zadig.akeo.ie/.

  2. Run zadig-2.8.exe.

  3. From Options, select List All Devices.

    Zadig - List All Devices

  4. In the device dropdown, select SR 100-B0 CDC 1.

    Zadig - Device Selection

  5. Choose WinUSB as the driver and click Replace Driver.

    Zadig - Replace Driver

  6. Reconnect the board and verify streaming in your example.