[mc1322x] Using the ROM

[Jon Smirl]

On Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 1:47 PM, Umberto Manzoli<ruytenburch at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear Jon,
>    GCC cannot handle the LLC.a library, as the linker (binutils) cannot
> understand R_ARM_THM_PC8 relocations. Usually R_ARM_THM_PC8 relocations are
> generated at compile time to use constant values that cannot reside in asm
> instructions. These constants are placed in a pool at the end of the
> function. R_ARM_THM_PC8 are resolved by compiler and not handled by linker.
>
> We asked Freescale to release the source code, but they answered that the
> rom-patching mechanism used by ROM and LLC.a is being covered by some
> patents so they are not allowed to distribute source code of LLC.a. Without
> some functions - usually not exposed - in LLC.a, ROM functions could not
> work or could exhibit wrong behaviour.

Patents do not prohibit distributing source code, in fact they do the
opposite, you have to include the code in the patent. The question is,
did Freescale give us a license to use the patented code in the ROM by
selling us a copy of the ROM?

Did Freescale buy Beestack from someone?

More likely is that Freescale contracted with someone to write the ROM
code. And Freescale was too dumb to get source code rights in their
license with that company. I really wish hardware vendors would stop
doing that.


>
> Obviously, you can disassemble LLC.a and use the generated assembly code to
> replace the library if you are compiling with GCC, as Mariano did with SMAC.
> By the way, take care of the software licence shown when Beekit is going to
> be installed: it explicitely states that the end-user cannot disassemble any
> kind of library. Even if Freescale's library is going to show errors...
>
>
>
> 2009/7/30 Jon Smirl <jonsmirl at gmail.com>
>>
>> What are the problems with using the ROM? Can GCC not link to LLC.a?
>> All of the header files appear to be present and all of the routines I
>> have checked are documented.
>>
>> Has anyone filed an SPR and asked for source code to it?
>>
>> --
>> Jon Smirl
>> jonsmirl at gmail.com
>>
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>
>



-- 
Jon Smirl
jonsmirl at gmail.com