Renode for TMNL

When to Use

• You need Renode setup, UART integration, or telemetry simulation.
• You want a headless tmux workflow with UART and monitor panes.
• You are writing or running .resc scripts for Renode.

Canonical Sources

• Renode UART integration docs (CreateServerSocketTerminal, connector Connect).
• TMNL scripts: embedded/renode/scripts/renode-init.sh.
• Renode scripts: embedded/renode/nrf52840/nrf52840-telemetry.resc.

The Only Supported TMNL Path (Current)

Renode (headless) -> UART socket (TCP) -> nc (tmux pane) -> telemetry ingest

We use TCP UART sockets (not PTY) to allow nc everywhere.

Decision Trees

UART Exposure

Need UART access?
├─ Want nc everywhere?  -> CreateServerSocketTerminal (MANDATORY)
└─ Want PTY tooling?    -> CreateUartPtyTerminal (DO NOT for TMNL)

Renode Launch Mode

Running inside tmux?
├─ Yes -> renode-init.sh (MANDATORY)
└─ No  -> renode --disable-gui -e 'i @script.resc' (ALLOWED)

DO NOTs (Strict)

• DO NOT use PTY UART for TMNL. Use TCP sockets + nc.
• DO NOT start Renode with GUI when running in tmux.
• DO NOT rely on ad-hoc commands. Use .resc scripts.
• DO NOT mix registries or ports without documenting overrides.

Guardrails (Mandatory)

• Always pass --disable-gui for headless runs.
• Always expose UART with CreateServerSocketTerminal.
• Always use connector Connect <uart> <socket>.
• Always pin ports in the script (default: 5501).

Highly Suggested

• Keep Renode in tmux session tmnl-renode.
• Keep three windows: renode, uart, console.
• Use nc for both UART and monitor.

Standard Commands

Start headless Renode + UART + monitor in tmux:

embedded/renode/scripts/renode-init.sh

Attach:

tmux attach -t tmnl-renode

UART socket (default):

nc 127.0.0.1 5501

Monitor socket (default):

nc 127.0.0.1 1234

Pitfalls

• If UART appears silent, ensure firmware is loaded and connector Connect is present.
• If nc shows no output, check Renode monitor for UART traffic.
• If multiple Renode sessions run, port conflicts will be silent. Use one session.

Files to Edit

• embedded/renode/nrf52840/nrf52840-telemetry.resc
• embedded/renode/scripts/renode-init.sh
• embedded/renode/README.md