WebIDE Threads and Firmware 1.4.x ... Code will not run, solid white light

Troubleshooting
1

When I compile code that includes the “Thread” function on the Web-IDE, it will not run on an electron if it’s compiled with target firmware 1.4.1 or 1.4.2.
The device will show a solid white light.
If I select target firmware 1.2.1 in the IDE, the code will run.

Here’s a sample code to try

#include "Particle.h"
#include "Serial4/Serial4.h"
#include "Serial5/Serial5.h"
#include "cellular_hal.h"
SYSTEM_MODE(SEMI_AUTOMATIC);
SYSTEM_THREAD(ENABLED);

void threadFunction(void *param);
Thread thread("testThread", threadFunction);
system_tick_t lastThreadTime = 0;
volatile int counter = 0;

unsigned long time5;
volatile unsigned long timer5s = 0;

void setup()
{

	Serial5.begin(38400);
	time5 = millis();
}

void threadFunction(void *param) {
	while(true) {
		counter++;

		// Delay so we're called every 10 milliseconds (100 times per second)
		os_thread_delay_until(&lastThreadTime, 10);
	}
	// You must not return from the thread function
}

void loop()
{
	if (millis() - time5 > 5000 || millis() < time5) {
		timer5s++;
		Serial5.println("Loop. Millis=" + String(millis()));
		time5 = millis();
		Serial5.println("Counter: " + String(counter));
	}
}
2

Hello Arne,

I can duplicate the issue.

@avtolstoy or @rickkas7 - would you be willing to comment on any Device OS changes w/r/t threading in the above?

Strikethrough: Ignore the context about solid white light, that’s by design. (I misread this as breathing white, not solid white, apologies, working way too quickly this AM).

Of note is:

  • the loop() fails to advance on 1.4.2
  • the loop() advances on 1.2.1

Thanks for your comment.

3

Actually, @ahk - are you saying that your device breathes cyan on 1.2.1 running this code?? That would be surprising to me. Mine does not, mine breathes white. But the loop fails.

4

Did some more testing:
Works with 1.2.1
Fails on 1.3.1, 1.4.1, 1.4.2

And yes, my devices breathe cyan and are connected properly when compiled for 1.2.1
(electron Firmware is 1.2.1, 1.4.1, 1.4.2)

If I compile with 1.4.x selected. the device shows a solid white light.
I also tried this code with 1.0.1 and 1.1.0 - works fine

5

I cannot duplicate the connection side of things (mine breathes white on 1.2.1 after a proper downgrade), but I can confirm the firmware failure, so I look forward to the eyes of someone with greater insight into DeviceOS changes.

6

The sample code breathes white because it’s missing a
Particle.connect();
in setup()

As soon as I select “Device OS target” >= 1.3.1 in the Web IDE, the devices will be solid white.

The actual firmware on the devices does not matter. I have some electrons flashed OTA (where there is no firmware downgrade) so they are running firmware 1.4.1 and the code compiled with “Device OS target” = 1.2.1. (works). Compile with Device OS target 1.4.1 and they fail.

1 Like
7

Yup, that makes sense to me, thanks for the clarifications.

8

I believe the problem is likely the use a globally allocated thread. Because the order of object initialization varies unpredictably, this is not a good idea. I will update the threads tutorial to not do that in the future if this is what is happening.

Remove this global variable:

Thread thread("testThread", threadFunction);

And instead at the end of setup() add:

new Thread("testThread", threadFunction);
1 Like
9

What is the difference between creating a thread in the way you mention, vs using os_thread_create ? I see that used sometimes in users’ code and libraries etc, but don’t see any reference to it in the docs and I’m just curious.

10

@rickkas7: Looks good.
I have flashed 4 electrons with FW 1.4.1 and the “new Thread()” in setup and they are all back online!

2 Likes