You need to set PICO_SDK_PATH in the environment, or pass it to cmake with -DPICO_SDK_PATH=/path/to/pico-sdk. To use features such as signing or hashing, you will need to make sure the mbedtls submodule in the SDK is checked out - this can be done by running this from your SDK directory.
git submodule update --init lib/mbedtls
You also need to install libusb-1.0.
Use your favorite package tool to install dependencies. For example, on Ubuntu:
sudo apt install build-essential pkg-config libusb-1.0-0-dev cmake
Then simply build like a normal CMake project:
mkdir build cd build cmake .. make
On Linux you can add udev rules in order to run picotool without sudo:
sudo cp udev/99-picotool.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/
Download libUSB from here https://libusb.info/
set LIBUSB_ROOT environment variable to the install directory.
mkdir build cd build cmake -G "NMake Makefiles" .. nmake
Download libUSB from here https://libusb.info/
set LIBUSB_ROOT environment variable to the install directory.
mkdir build cd build cmake .. make
No need to download libusb separately or set LIBUSB_ROOT.
pacman -S $MINGW_PACKAGE_PREFIX-{toolchain,cmake,libusb} mkdir build cd build cmake .. -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=$MINGW_PREFIX cmake --build .
The Raspberry Pi Pico SDK (pico-sdk) version 2.0.0 and above uses picotool to do the ELF-to-UF2 conversion previously handled by the elf2uf2 tool in the SDK. The SDK also uses picotool to hash and sign binaries.
Whilst the SDK can download picotool on its own per project, if you have multiple projects or build configurations, it is preferable to install a single copy of picotool locally. This can be done most simply with make install or cmake --install .; the SDK will use this installed version by default.
Alternatively, you can install to a custom path via:
cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=$MY_INSTALL_DIR -DPICOTOOL_FLAT_INSTALL=1 ..
In order for the SDK to find picotool in this custom path, you will need to set the picotool_DIR variable in your project, either by setting the picotool_DIR environment variable, by passing -Dpicotool_DIR=$MY_INSTALL_DIR/picotool to your cmake command, or by adding set(picotool_DIR $MY_INSTALL_DIR/picotool) to your CMakeLists.txt file.
picotool is a tool for working with RP2040/RP2350 binaries, and interacting with RP2040/RP2350 devices when they are in BOOTSEL mode. (As of version 1.1 of picotool it is also possible to interact with devices that are not in BOOTSEL mode, but are using USB stdio support from the Raspberry Pi Pico SDK by using the -f argument of picotool).
Note for additional documentation see https://rptl.io/pico-get-started
$ picotool help
PICOTOOL:
Tool for interacting with RP2040/RP2350 device(s) in BOOTSEL mode, or with an RP2040/RP2350 binary
SYNOPSIS:
picotool info [-b] [-p] [-d] [--debug] [-l] [-a] [device-selection]
picotool info [-b] [-p] [-d] [--debug] [-l] [-a] <filename> [-t <type>]
picotool config [-s <key> <value>] [-g <group>] [device-selection]
picotool config [-s <key> <value>] [-g <group>] <filename> [-t <type>]
picotool load [-p] [-n] [-N] [-u] [-v] [-x] <filename> [-t <type>] [-o <offset>] [device-selection]
picotool encrypt [--quiet] [--verbose] [--hash] [--sign] <infile> [-t <type>] [-o <offset>] <outfile> [-t <type>] <aes_key> [-t <type>] [<signing_key>] [-t <type>]
picotool seal [--quiet] [--verbose] [--hash] [--sign] [--clear] <infile> [-t <type>] [-o <offset>] <outfile> [-t <type>] [<key>] [-t <type>] [<otp>] [-t <type>] [--major <major>] [--minor <minor>] [--rollback <rollback> [<rows>..]]
picotool link [--quiet] [--verbose] <outfile> [-t <type>] <infile1> [-t <type>] <infile2> [-t <type>] [<infile3>] [-t <type>] [-p] <pad>
picotool save [-p] [device-selection]
picotool save -a [device-selection]
picotool save -r <from> <to> [device-selection]
picotool verify [device-selection]
picotool reboot [-a] [-u] [-g <partition>] [-c <cpu>] [device-selection]
picotool otp list|get|set|load|dump|permissions|white-label
picotool partition info|create
picotool uf2 info|convert
picotool version [-s] [<version>]
picotool coprodis [--quiet] [--verbose] <infile> [-t <type>] <outfile> [-t <type>]
picotool help [<cmd>]
COMMANDS:
info Display information from the target device(s) or file.
Without any arguments, this will display basic information for all connected RP2040 devices in BOOTSEL mode
config Display or change program configuration settings from the target device(s) or file.
load Load the program / memory range stored in a file onto the device.
encrypt Encrypt the program.
seal Add final metadata to a binary, optionally including a hash and/or signature.
link Link multiple binaries into one block loop.
save Save the program / memory stored in flash on the device to a file.
verify Check that the device contents match those in the file.
reboot Reboot the device
otp Commands related to the RP2350 OTP (One-Time-Programmable) Memory
partition Commands related to RP2350 Partition Tables
uf2 Commands related to UF2 creation and status
version Display picotool version
coprodis Post-process coprocessor instructions in dissassembly files.
help Show general help or help for a specific command
Use "picotool help <cmd>" for more info
Note commands that aren't acting on files require a device in BOOTSEL mode to be connected.
The is Binary Information support in the SDK which allows for easily storing compact information that picotool can find (See Binary Info section below). The info command is for reading this information.
The information can be either read from one or more connected devices in BOOTSEL mode, or from a file. This file can be an ELF, a UF2 or a BIN file.
$ picotool help info
INFO:
Display information from the target device(s) or file.
Without any arguments, this will display basic information for all connected RP2040 devices in BOOTSEL mode
SYNOPSIS:
picotool info [-b] [-p] [-d] [--debug] [-l] [-a] [device-selection]
picotool info [-b] [-p] [-d] [--debug] [-l] [-a] <filename> [-t <type>]
OPTIONS:
Information to display
-b, --basic
Include basic information. This is the default
-p, --pins
Include pin information
-d, --device
Include device information
--debug
Include device debug information
-l, --build
Include build attributes
-a, --all
Include all information
TARGET SELECTION:
To target one or more connected RP2040 device(s) in BOOTSEL mode (the default)
--bus <bus>
Filter devices by USB bus number
--address <addr>
Filter devices by USB device address
--vid <vid>
Filter by vendor id
--pid <pid>
Filter by product id
--ser <ser>
Filter by serial number
-f, --force
Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the
command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be rebooted back to application mode
-F, --force-no-reboot
Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the
command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be left connected and accessible to picotool, but without the
RPI-RP2 drive mounted
To target a file
<filename>
The file name
-t <type>
Specify file type (uf2 | elf | bin) explicitly, ignoring file extension
Note the -f arguments vary slightly for Windows vs macOS / Unix platforms.
e.g.
$ picotool info Program Information name: hello_world features: stdout to UART
$ picotool info -a Program Information name: hello_world features: stdout to UART binary start: 0x10000000 binary end: 0x1000606c Fixed Pin Information 20: UART1 TX 21: UART1 RX Build Information build date: Dec 31 2020 build attributes: Debug build Device Information flash size: 2048K ROM version: 2
$ picotool info -bp Program Information name: hello_world features: stdout to UART
Fixed Pin Information 20: UART1 TX 21: UART1 RX
$ picotool info -a lcd_1602_i2c.uf2 File lcd_1602_i2c.uf2: Program Information name: lcd_1602_i2c web site: https://github.com/raspberrypi/pico-examples/tree/HEAD/i2c/lcd_1602_i2c binary start: 0x10000000 binary end: 0x10003c1c Fixed Pin Information 4: I2C0 SDA 5: I2C0 SCL Build Information build date: Dec 31 2020
Config allows you to configure the binary info on a device, if it is configurable. Specifically, you can configure bi_ptr_int32 and bi_ptr_string.
$ picotool help config CONFIG: Display or change program configuration settings from the target device(s) or file. SYNOPSIS: picotool config [-s <key> <value>] [-g <group>] [device-selection] picotool config [-s <key> <value>] [-g <group>] <filename> [-t <type>] OPTIONS: <key> Variable name <value> New value -g <group> Filter by feature group TARGET SELECTION: To target one or more connected RP2040 device(s) in BOOTSEL mode (the default) --bus <bus> Filter devices by USB bus number --address <addr> Filter devices by USB device address --vid <vid> Filter by vendor id --pid <pid> Filter by product id --ser <ser> Filter by serial number -f, --force Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be rebooted back to application mode -F, --force-no-reboot Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be left connected and accessible to picotool, but without the RPI-RP2 drive mounted To target a file <filename> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (uf2 | elf | bin) explicitly, ignoring file extension
$ picotool config n = 5 name = "Billy" nonconst_pins: default_pin = 3 default_name = "My First Pin"
$ picotool config -g nonconst_pins nonconst_pins: default_pin = 3 default_name = "My First Pin"
$ picotool config -s name Jane name = "Billy" setting name -> "Jane" $ picotool config n = 5 name = "Jane" nonconst_pins: default_pin = 3 default_name = "My First Pin"
load allows you to write data from a file onto the device (either writing to flash, or to RAM)
$ picotool help load LOAD: Load the program / memory range stored in a file onto the device. SYNOPSIS: picotool load [--ignore-partitions] [--family <family_id>] [-p <partition>] [-n] [-N] [-u] [-v] [-x] <filename> [-t <type>] [-o <offset>] [device-selection] OPTIONS: Post load actions --ignore-partitions When writing flash data, ignore the partition table and write to absolute space --family Specify the family ID of the file to load <family_id> family id to use for load -p, --partition Specify the partition to load into <partition> partition to load into -n, --no-overwrite When writing flash data, do not overwrite an existing program in flash. If picotool cannot determine the size/presence of the program in flash, the command fails -N, --no-overwrite-unsafe When writing flash data, do not overwrite an existing program in flash. If picotool cannot determine the size/presence of the program in flash, the load continues anyway -u, --update Skip writing flash sectors that already contain identical data -v, --verify Verify the data was written correctly -x, --execute Attempt to execute the downloaded file as a program after the load File to load from <filename> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (uf2 | elf | bin) explicitly, ignoring file extension BIN file options -o, --offset Specify the load address for a BIN file <offset> Load offset (memory address; default 0x10000000) Target device selection --bus <bus> Filter devices by USB bus number --address <addr> Filter devices by USB device address --vid <vid> Filter by vendor id --pid <pid> Filter by product id --ser <ser> Filter by serial number -f, --force Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be rebooted back to application mode -F, --force-no-reboot Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be left connected and accessible to picotool, but without the RPI-RP2 drive mounted
e.g.
$ picotool load blink.uf2 Loading into Flash: [==============================] 100%
save allows you to save a range of RAM, the program in flash, or an explicit range of flash from the device to a BIN file or a UF2 file.
$ picotool help save SAVE: Save the program / memory stored in flash on the device to a file. SYNOPSIS: picotool save [-p] [device-selection] picotool save -a [device-selection] picotool save -r <from> <to> [device-selection] OPTIONS: Selection of data to save -p, --program Save the installed program only. This is the default -a, --all Save all of flash memory -r, --range Save a range of memory. Note that UF2s always store complete 256 byte-aligned blocks of 256 bytes, and the range is expanded accordingly <from> The lower address bound in hex <to> The upper address bound in hex Source device selection --bus <bus> Filter devices by USB bus number --address <addr> Filter devices by USB device address --vid <vid> Filter by vendor id --pid <pid> Filter by product id --ser <ser> Filter by serial number -f, --force Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be rebooted back to application mode -F, --force-no-reboot Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be left connected and accessible to picotool, but without the RPI-RP2 drive mounted File to save to <filename> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (uf2 | elf | bin) explicitly, ignoring file extension
e.g. first looking at what is on the device...
$ picotool info Program Information name: lcd_1602_i2c web site: https://github.com/raspberrypi/pico-examples/tree/HEAD/i2c/lcd_1602_i2c
... saving it to a file ...
$ picotool save spoon.uf2 Saving file: [==============================] 100% Wrote 51200 bytes to spoon.uf2
... and looking at the file:
$ picotool info spoon.uf2 File spoon.uf2: Program Information name: lcd_1602_i2c web site: https://github.com/raspberrypi/pico-examples/tree/HEAD/i2c/lcd_1602_i2c
seal allows you to sign and/or hash a binary to run on RP2350.
By default, it will just sign the binary, but this can be configured with the --hash and --no-sign arguments.
Your signing key must be for the secp256k1 curve, in PEM format. You can create a .PEM file with:
openssl ecparam -name secp256k1 -genkey -out private.pem
$ picotool help seal SEAL: Add final metadata to a binary, optionally including a hash and/or signature. SYNOPSIS: picotool seal [--quiet] [--verbose] [--hash] [--sign] [--clear] <infile> [-t <type>] [-o <offset>] <outfile> [-t <type>] [<key>] [-t <type>] [<otp>] [-t <type>] [--major <major>] [--minor <minor>] [--rollback <rollback> [<rows>..]] OPTIONS: --quiet Don't print any output --verbose Print verbose output --major <major> Add Major Version --minor <minor> Add Minor Version --rollback <rollback> [<rows>..] Add Rollback Version Configuration --hash Hash the file --sign Sign the file --clear Clear all of SRAM on load File to load from <infile> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (uf2 | elf | bin) explicitly, ignoring file extension BIN file options -o, --offset Specify the load address for a BIN file <offset> Load offset (memory address; default 0x10000000) File to save to <outfile> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (uf2 | elf | bin) explicitly, ignoring file extension Key file <key> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (pem) explicitly, ignoring file extension File to save OTP to (will edit existing file if it exists) <otp> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (json) explicitly, ignoring file extension
encrypt allows you to encrypt and sign a binary for use on the RP2350. By default, it will sign the encrypted binary, but that can be configured similarly to picotool sign.
The encrypted binary will have the following structure:
The AES key must be provided as a .bin file of the 256 bit AES key to be used for encryption.
$ picotool help encrypt ENCRYPT: Encrypt the program. SYNOPSIS: picotool encrypt [--quiet] [--verbose] [--hash] [--sign] <infile> [-t <type>] [-o <offset>] <outfile> [-t <type>] <aes_key> [-t <type>] [<signing_key>] [-t <type>] OPTIONS: --quiet Don't print any output --verbose Print verbose output Signing Configuration --hash Hash the encrypted file --sign Sign the encrypted file File to load from <infile> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (uf2 | elf | bin) explicitly, ignoring file extension BIN file options -o, --offset Specify the load address for a BIN file <offset> Load offset (memory address; default 0x10000000) File to save to <outfile> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (uf2 | elf | bin) explicitly, ignoring file extension AES Key <aes_key> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (bin) explicitly, ignoring file extension Signing Key file <signing_key> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (pem) explicitly, ignoring file extension
The partition commands allow you to interact with the partition tables on RP2350 devices, and also create them.
$ picotool help partition info PARTITION INFO: Print the device's partition table. SYNOPSIS: picotool partition info -m <family_id> [device-selection] OPTIONS: -m <family_id> [device-selection]
$ picotool partition info un-partitioned_space : S(rw) NSBOOT(rw) NS(rw), uf2 { absolute } partitions: 0(A) 00002000->00201000 S(rw) NSBOOT(rw) NS(rw), id=0000000000000000, "A", uf2 { rp2350-arm-s, rp2350-riscv }, arm_boot 1, riscv_boot 1 1(B w/ 0) 00201000->00400000 S(rw) NSBOOT(rw) NS(rw), id=0000000000000001, "B", uf2 { rp2350-arm-s, rp2350-riscv }, arm_boot 1, riscv_boot 1
$ picotool partition info -m rp2350-arm-s un-partitioned_space : S(rw) NSBOOT(rw) NS(rw), uf2 { absolute } partitions: 0(A) 00002000->00201000 S(rw) NSBOOT(rw) NS(rw), id=0000000000000000, "A", uf2 { rp2350-arm-s, rp2350-riscv }, arm_boot 1, riscv_boot 1 1(B w/ 0) 00201000->00400000 S(rw) NSBOOT(rw) NS(rw), id=0000000000000001, "B", uf2 { rp2350-arm-s, rp2350-riscv }, arm_boot 1, riscv_boot 1 Family id 'rp2350-arm-s' can be downloaded in partition 0: 00002000->00201000
This command allows you to create partition tables, and additionally embed them into the block loop if ELF files (for example, for bootloaders). By default, all partition tables are hashed, and you can also sign them.
$ picotool help partition create PARTITION CREATE: Create a partition table from json SYNOPSIS: picotool partition create [--quiet] [--verbose] <infile> [-t <type>] <outfile> [-t <type>] [[-o <offset>] [--family <family_id>]] [<bootloader>] [-t <type>] [[--sign <keyfile>] [-t <type>] [--no-hash] [--singleton]] [[--abs-block] [<abs_block_loc>]] OPTIONS: --quiet Don't print any output --verbose Print verbose output partition table JSON <infile> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (json) explicitly, ignoring file extension output file <outfile> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (uf2 | elf | bin) explicitly, ignoring file extension UF2 output options -o, --offset Specify the load address for UF2 file output <offset> Load offset (memory address; default 0x10000000) --family Specify the family if for UF2 file output <family_id> family id for UF2 (default absolute) embed partition table into bootloader ELF <bootloader> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (elf) explicitly, ignoring file extension Partition Table Options --sign <keyfile> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (pem) explicitly, ignoring file extension --no-hash Don't hash the partition table --singleton Singleton partition table Errata RP2350-E9 Fix --abs-block Enforce support for an absolute block <abs_block_loc> absolute block location (default to 0x10ffff00)
The uf2 commands allow for creation of UF2s, and cam provide information when if a UF2 download has failed.
This command replaces the elf2uf2 functionality that was previously in the Raspberry Pi Pico SDK. It will attempt to auto-detect the family ID, but if this fails you can specify one manually with the --family argument.
picotool help uf2 convert UF2 CONVERT: Convert ELF/BIN to UF2. SYNOPSIS: picotool uf2 convert [--quiet] [--verbose] <infile> [-t <type>] <outfile> [-t <type>] [-o <offset>] [--family <family_id>] [[--abs-block] [<abs_block_loc>]] OPTIONS: --quiet Don't print any output --verbose Print verbose output File to load from <infile> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (uf2 | elf | bin) explicitly, ignoring file extension File to save UF2 to <outfile> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (uf2) explicitly, ignoring file extension Packaging Options -o, --offset Specify the load address <offset> Load offset (memory address; default 0x10000000 for BIN file) UF2 Family options <family_id> family id for UF2 Errata RP2350-E9 Fix --abs-block Add an absolute block <abs_block_loc> absolute block location (default to 0x10ffff00)
This command reads the information on a device about why a UF2 download has failed. It will only give information if the most recent download has failed.
$ picotool help uf2 info UF2 INFO: Print info about UF2 download. SYNOPSIS: picotool uf2 info [device-selection] OPTIONS: Target device selection --bus <bus> Filter devices by USB bus number --address <addr> Filter devices by USB device address --vid <vid> Filter by vendor id --pid <pid> Filter by product id --ser <ser> Filter by serial number -f, --force Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be rebooted back to application mode -F, --force-no-reboot Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be left connected and accessible to picotool, but without the RPI-RP2 drive mounted
The otp commands are for interacting with the RP2350 OTP Memory. They are not available on RP2040 devices, as RP2040 has no OTP.
Note that the OTP Memory is One-Time-Programmable, which means that once a bit has been changed from 0 to 1, it cannot be changed back. Therefore, caution should be used when using these commands, as they risk bricking your RP2350 device. For example, if you set SECURE_BOOT_ENABLE but don't set a boot key, and disable the PICOBOOT interface, then your device will be unusable.
For the list, set, get and load commands, you can define your own OTP layout in a JSON file and pass that in with the -i argument. These rows will be added to the default rows when parsing.
$ picotool help otp OTP: Commands related to the RP2350 OTP (One-Time-Programmable) Memory SYNOPSIS: picotool otp list [-p] [-n] [-i <filename>] [<selector>..] picotool otp get [-c <copies>] [-r] [-e] [-n] [-i <filename>] [device-selection] [-z] [<selector>..] picotool otp set [-c <copies>] [-r] [-e] [-i <filename>] [-z] <selector> <value> [device-selection] picotool otp load [-r] [-e] [-s <row>] [-i <filename>] <filename> [-t <type>] [device-selection] picotool otp dump [-r] [-e] [device-selection] picotool otp permissions <filename> [-t <type>] [--led <pin>] [--hash] [--sign] [<key>] [-t <type>] [device-selection] picotool otp white-label -s <row> <filename> [-t <type>] [device-selection] SUB COMMANDS: list List matching known registers/fields get Get the value of one or more OTP registers/fields (RP2350 only) set Set the value of an OTP row/field (RP2350 only) load Load the row range stored in a file into OTP and verify. Data is 2 bytes/row for ECC, 4 bytes/row for raw. (RP2350 only) dump Dump entire OTP (RP2350 only) permissions Set the OTP access permissions (RP2350 only) white-label Set the white labelling values in OTP (RP2350 only)
These commands will set/get specific rows of OTP. By default, they will write/read all redundant rows, but this can be overridden with the -c argument
This command allows loading of a range of OTP rows onto the device. The source can be a binary file, or a JSON file such as the one output by picotool sign. For example, if you wish to sign a binary and then test secure boot with it, you can run the following set of commands:
$ picotool sign hello_world.elf hello_world.signed.elf private.pem otp.json $ picotool load hello_world.signed.elf $ picotool otp load otp.json $ picotool reboot
This command allows for OTP white-labelling, which sets the USB configuration used by the device in BOOTSEL mode. This can be configured from a JSON file, an example of which is in sample-wl.json.
$ picotool help otp white-label OTP WHITE-LABEL: Set the white labelling values in OTP SYNOPSIS: picotool otp white-label -s <row> <filename> [-t <type>] [device-selection] OPTIONS: File with white labelling values <filename> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (json) explicitly, ignoring file extension Target device selection --bus <bus> Filter devices by USB bus number --address <addr> Filter devices by USB device address --vid <vid> Filter by vendor id --pid <pid> Filter by product id --ser <ser> Filter by serial number -f, --force Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be rebooted back to application mode -F, --force-no-reboot Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be left connected and accessible to picotool, but without the RPI-RP2 drive mounted
$ picotool otp white-label -s 0x100 ../sample-wl.json Setting attributes 20e0 0x2e8b, 0x000e, 0x0215, 0x0c09, 0x1090, 0x200c, 0x2615, 0x20e0, 0x310b, 0x3706, 0x3a04, 0x3c04, 0x3e21, 0x4f15, 0x5a0a, 0x5f0a, 0x007a, 0x00df, 0x6c34, 0xd83c, 0xdf4c, 0x0020, 0x0054, 0x0065, 0x0073, 0x0074, 0x0027, 0x0073, 0x0020, 0x0050, 0x0069, 0x0073, 0x6554, 0x7473, 0x5220, 0x3250, 0x3533, 0x3f30, 0x6f6e, 0x6e74, 0x6365, 0x7365, 0x6173, 0x6972, 0x796c, 0x6e61, 0x6d75, 0x6562, 0x0072, 0x6554, 0x7473, 0x6950, 0x4220, 0x6f6f, 0x0074, 0x6554, 0x7473, 0x6950, 0x794d, 0x6950, 0x3876, 0x3739, 0x7468, 0x7074, 0x3a73, 0x2f2f, 0x7777, 0x2e77, 0x6172, 0x7073, 0x6562, 0x7272, 0x7079, 0x2e69, 0x6f63, 0x2f6d, 0x656e, 0x7377, 0x002f, 0x6f53, 0x656d, 0x4e20, 0x7765, 0x2073, 0x6241, 0x756f, 0x2074, 0x7453, 0x6675, 0x0066, 0x794d, 0x5420, 0x7365, 0x2074, 0x6950, 0x5054, 0x2d49, 0x5052, 0x3332, 0x3035, $ picotool reboot -u $ lsusb -v -s 1:102 Bus 001 Device 102: ID 2e8b:000e zß水🍌 Test's Pis Test RP2350? Device Descriptor: bLength 18 bDescriptorType 1 bcdUSB 2.10 bDeviceClass 0 bDeviceSubClass 0 bDeviceProtocol 0 bMaxPacketSize0 64 idVendor 0x2e8b idProduct 0x000e bcdDevice 2.15 iManufacturer 1 zß水🍌 Test's Pis iProduct 2 Test RP2350? iSerial 3 notnecessarilyanumber bNumConfigurations 1 Configuration Descriptor: bLength 9 bDescriptorType 2 wTotalLength 0x0037 bNumInterfaces 2 bConfigurationValue 1 iConfiguration 0 bmAttributes 0xc0 Self Powered MaxPower 64mA ...
This command will run a binary on your device in order to set the OTP permissions, as these are not directly accessible from picotool on due to the default permissions settings required to fix errata XXX on RP2350. Because it runs a binary, the binary needs to be sign it if secure boot is enabled. The binary will print what it is doing over uart, which can be configured using the UART Configuration arguments. You can define your OTP permissions in a json file, an example of which is in sample-permissions.json.
$ picotool help otp permissions OTP PERMISSIONS: Set the OTP access permissions SYNOPSIS: picotool otp permissions <filename> [-t <type>] [--led <pin>] [--hash] [--sign] [<key>] [-t <type>] [device-selection] OPTIONS: File to load permissions from <filename> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (json) explicitly, ignoring file extension --led <pin> LED Pin to flash; default 25 Signing Configuration --hash Hash the executable --sign Sign the executable Key file <key> The file name -t <type> Specify file type (pem) explicitly, ignoring file extension Target device selection --bus <bus> Filter devices by USB bus number --address <addr> Filter devices by USB device address --vid <vid> Filter by vendor id --pid <pid> Filter by product id --ser <ser> Filter by serial number -f, --force Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be rebooted back to application mode -F, --force-no-reboot Force a device not in BOOTSEL mode but running compatible code to reset so the command can be executed. After executing the command (unless the command itself is a 'reboot') the device will be left connected and accessible to picotool, but without the RPI-RP2 drive mounted
$ picotool otp permissions --sign private.pem --tx 46 ../sample-permissions.json Picking file ./xip_ram_perms.elf page10 page10 = 0 setting page10 -> 4063233 page11 page11 = 0 setting page11 -> 4128781 page12 page12 = 0 setting page12 -> 4128781 tx_pin = 0 setting tx_pin -> 46 Loading into XIP RAM: [==============================] 100% >>> using flash update boot of 13ffc000 The device was rebooted to start the application.
Binary information is machine locatable and generally machine consumable. I say generally because anyone can include any information, and we can tell it from ours, but it is up to them whether they make their data self describing.
Note that we will certainly add more binary info over time, but I'd like to get a minimum core set included in most binaries from launch!!
This information is really handy when you pick up a Pico and don't know what is on it!
Basic information includes
The binary information is self-describing/extensible, so programs can include information picotool is not aware of (e.g. MicroPython includes a list of in-built libraries)
This is certainly handy when you have an executable called ‘hello_world.elf’ but you forgot what board it is built for...
Static (fixed) pin assignments can be recorded in the binary in very compact form:
$ picotool info --pins sprite_demo.elf File sprite_demo.elf: Fixed Pin Information 0-4: Red 0-4 6-10: Green 0-4 11-15: Blue 0-4 16: HSync 17: VSync 18: Display Enable 19: Pixel Clock 20: UART1 TX 21: UART1 RX
This is very handy if you want to be able to modify parameters in a binary, without having to recompile it.
$ picotool config -s name Jane name = "Billy" setting name -> "Jane"
Binary information is declared in the program by macros (vile warped macros); for the pins example:
$ picotool info --pins sprite_demo.elf File sprite_demo.elf: Fixed Pin Information 0-4: Red 0-4 6-10: Green 0-4 11-15: Blue 0-4 16: HSync 17: VSync 18: Display Enable 19: Pixel Clock 20: UART1 TX 21: UART1 RX
... there is one line in the setup_default_uart function:
bi_decl_if_func_used(bi_2pins_with_func(PICO_DEFAULT_UART_RX_PIN, PICO_DEFAULT_UART_TX_PIN, GPIO_FUNC_UART));
The two pin numbers, and the function UART are stored, then decoded to their actual function names (UART1 TX etc) by picotool. The bi_decl_if_func_used makes sure the binary information is only included if the containing function is called.
Equally, the video code contains a few lines like this:
bi_decl_if_func_used(bi_pin_mask_with_name(0x1f << (PICO_SCANVIDEO_COLOR_PIN_BASE + PICO_SCANVIDEO_DPI_PIXEL_RSHIFT), "Red 0-4"));
For the configuration example, you put the line
bi_decl(bi_ptr_string(0x1111, 0x3333, name, "Billy", 128));
into your code, which will then create the name variable for you to subsequently print. The parameters are the tag, the ID, variable name, default value, and maximum string length.
printf("Name is %s\n", name);
Things are designed to waste as little space as possible, but you can turn everything off with preprocessor variable PICO_NO_BINARY_INFO=1. Additionally, any SDK code that inserts binary info can be separately excluded by its own preprocessor variable.
You need
#include "pico/binary_info.h"
Basically you either use bi_decl(bi_blah(...)) for unconditional inclusion of the binary info blah, or bi_decl_if_func_used(bi_blah(...)) for binary information that may be stripped if the enclosing function is not included in the binary by the linker (think --gc-sections)
There are a bunch of bi_ macros in the headers
#define bi_binary_end(end) ... #define bi_program_name(name) ... #define bi_program_description(description) ... #define bi_program_version_string(version_string) ... #define bi_program_build_date_string(date_string) ... #define bi_program_url(url) ... #define bi_program_feature(feature) ... #define bi_program_build_attribute(attr) ... #define bi_1pin_with_func(p0, func) ... #define bi_2pins_with_func(p0, p1, func) ... #define bi_3pins_with_func(p0, p1, p2, func) ... #define bi_4pins_with_func(p0, p1, p2, p3, func) ... #define bi_5pins_with_func(p0, p1, p2, p3, p4, func) ... #define bi_pin_range_with_func(plo, phi, func) ... #define bi_pin_mask_with_name(pmask, label) ... #define bi_pin_mask_with_names(pmask, label) ... #define bi_1pin_with_name(p0, name) ... #define bi_2pins_with_names(p0, name0, p1, name1) ... #define bi_3pins_with_names(p0, name0, p1, name1, p2, name2) ... #define bi_4pins_with_names(p0, name0, p1, name1, p2, name2, p3, name3) ...
which make use of underlying macros, e.g.
#define bi_program_url(url) bi_string(BINARY_INFO_TAG_RASPBERRY_PI, BINARY_INFO_ID_RP_PROGRAM_URL, url)
NOTE: It is easy to forget to enclose these in bi_decl etc., so an effort has been made (at the expense of a lot of kittens) to make the build fail with a somewhat helpful error message if you do so.
For example, trying to compile
bi_1pin_with_name(0, "Toaster activator");
gives
/home/graham/dev/mu/pico_sdk/src/common/pico_binary_info/include/pico/binary_info/code.h:17:55: error: '_error_bi_is_missing_enclosing_decl_261' undeclared here (not in a function) 17 | #define __bi_enclosure_check_lineno_var_name __CONCAT(_error_bi_is_missing_enclosing_decl_,__LINE__) | ^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ... more macro call stack of doom
You can use
pico_set_program_name(foo "not foo") # as "foo" would be the default pico_set_program_description(foo "this is a foo") pico_set_program_version(foo "0.00001a") pico_set_program_url(foo "www.plinth.com/foo")
Note all of these are passed as command line arguments to the compilation, so if you plan to use quotes, newlines etc you may have better luck defining via bi_decl in the code.
MicroPython and CircuitPython, eventually the SDK and others may support one or more storage devices in flash. We already have macros to define these although picotool doesn't do anything with them yet... but backup/restore/file copy and even fuse mount in the future might be interesting.
I suggest we tag these now...
This is what I have right now off the top of my head (at the time)
#define bi_block_device(_tag, _name, _offset, _size, _extra, _flags)
with the data going into
typedef struct __packed _binary_info_block_device { struct _binary_info_core core; bi_ptr_of(const char) name; // optional static name (independent of what is formatted) uint32_t offset; uint32_t size; bi_ptr_of(binary_info_t) extra; // additional info uint16_t flags; } binary_info_block_device_t;
and
enum { BINARY_INFO_BLOCK_DEV_FLAG_READ = 1 << 0, // if not readable, then it is basically hidden, but tools may choose to avoid overwriting it BINARY_INFO_BLOCK_DEV_FLAG_WRITE = 1 << 1, BINARY_INFO_BLOCK_DEV_FLAG_REFORMAT = 1 << 2, // may be reformatted.. BINARY_INFO_BLOCK_DEV_FLAG_PT_UNKNOWN = 0 << 4, // unknown free to look BINARY_INFO_BLOCK_DEV_FLAG_PT_MBR = 1 << 4, // expect MBR BINARY_INFO_BLOCK_DEV_FLAG_PT_GPT = 2 << 4, // expect GPT BINARY_INFO_BLOCK_DEV_FLAG_PT_NONE = 3 << 4, // no partition table };
Running commands with -f/F requires compatible code to be running on the device. The definition of compatible code for the purposes of binaries compiled using the pico-sdk is code that
-f/F will not work - instead you can set the compile definition PICO_ENTER_USB_BOOT_ON_EXIT to reboot and be accessible to picotool once your code has finished execution, for example with target_compile_definitions(<yourTargetName> PRIVATE PICO_ENTER_USB_BOOT_ON_EXIT=1)stdio_init_all() and you have pico_enable_stdio_usb(<yourTargetName> 1) in your CMakeLists.txt file then you meet this requirement (see the hello_usb example)If you ctrl+c out of the middle of a long operation, then libusb seems to get a bit confused, which means we aren‘t able to unlock our lockout of USB MSD writes (we have turned them off so the user doesn’t step on their own toes). Simply running picotool info again will unlock it properly the next time (or you can reboot the device).