boards/native/nrf_bsim/doc/nrf54l15bsim.rst

.. _nrf54l15bsim:

NRF54L15 simulated board (BabbleSim)
####################################

.. contents::
   :depth: 1
   :backlinks: entry
   :local:


Overview
********

To allow simulating nRF54L15 SOCs, a Zephyr target board is provided: the
``nrf54l15bsim/nrf54l15/cpuapp``.

This uses `BabbleSim`_ to simulate the radio activity, and the
:ref:`POSIX architecture<Posix arch>` and the `native simulator`_ to
run applications natively on the development system. This has the benefit of
providing native code execution performance and easy debugging using
native tools, but inherits :ref:`its limitations <posix_arch_limitations>`.

Just like for the nrf54l15dk target,
the nrf54l15bsim/nrf54l15/cpuapp build target provides support for the application core,
on the simulated nRF54L15 SOC.

.. note::

   Unlike real nRF54L15 devices, the nrf54l15bsim target has unlimited RAM, and code does not
   occupy its RRAM. Therefore, as the nRF54L15, nRF54L10 and nRF54L05 SOCs only differ in the amount
   of available RAM and RRAM either can be simulated using the nrf54l15bsim.

.. note::

   This simulated target does **not** yet support targeting the cpuflpr core.

This board includes models of some of the nRF54L15 SOC peripherals:

* AAR (Accelerated Address Resolver)
* CCM (AES CCM mode encryption)
* CLOCK (Clock control)
* CRACEN (Crypto Accelerator Engine)
* DPPI (Distributed Programmable Peripheral Interconnect)
* ECB (AES electronic codebook mode encryption)
* EGU (Event Generator Unit)
* FICR (Factory Information Configuration Registers)
* GPIO & GPIOTE
* GRTC (Global Real-time Counter)
* PPIB (PPI Bridge)
* RADIO
* RRAMC (Resistive RAM Controller)
* TEMP (Temperature sensor)
* TIMER
* UARTE (UART with Easy DMA)
* UICR (User Information Configuration Registers)

and will use the same drivers as the nrf54l15dk targets for these.
For more information on what is modeled to which level of detail,
check the `HW models implementation status`_.

.. _BabbleSim:
   https://BabbleSim.github.io

.. _native simulator:
   https://github.com/BabbleSim/native_simulator/blob/main/docs/README.md

.. _HW models implementation status:
   https://github.com/BabbleSim/ext_nRF_hw_models/blob/main/docs/README_impl_status.md


Building for, and using this board
**********************************

You can follow the instructions from the :ref:`nrf52_bsim board <nrf52bsim_build_and_run>`.
Simply change the board/target appropriately when building.


.. _nrf54l15bsim_tz:

TrustZone, TF-M and other security considerations
*************************************************

ARM's TrustZone is not modeled in this board. This means that:

* There is no differentiation between secure and non secure execution states or bus accesses.
* All RAM, flash and peripherals are in principle accessible from all SW. Peripherals with their
  own interconnect master ports can, in principle, access any other peripheral or RAM area.
* There is no nrf54l15bsim/nrf54l15/cpuapp/ns board/build target, or possibility of mixing secure
  and non-secure images.
* Currently there is no model of the SPU, and therefore neither RRAM, RAM areas or peripherals
  can be labeled as restricted for secure or non secure access.
* TF-M cannot be used.

As crypto library, Mbed TLS can be used with its SW crypto backend.