Hands-On RTOS with Microcontrollers

Scheduler returns unexpectedly

It is also possible to run into issues with vStartScheduler returning this:

//start the scheduler - shouldn't return unless there's a problemvTaskStartScheduler();//if you've wound up here, there is likely//an issue with overrunning the freeRTOS heapwhile(1){}

This is simply another symptom of the same underlying issue – inadequate heap space. The scheduler defines an IDLE task that requires configMINIMAL_STACK_SIZE words of heap space (plus room for the TCB).

If you're reading this section because you actually have a program that isn't starting and you're not experiencing either of these symptoms, do not worry! There's an entire chapter in the back of this book, just for you. Check out Chapter 17, Troubleshooting ...