diff --git a/Makefile.include b/Makefile.include
index f29184448ed0..6bd14bd40d39 100644
--- a/Makefile.include
+++ b/Makefile.include
@@ -416,6 +416,10 @@ TOOLCHAINS_SUPPORTED ?= gnu
 # Import all toolchain settings
 include $(RIOTMAKE)/toolchain/$(TOOLCHAIN).inc.mk
 
+# Append ldscript path after importing CPU and board makefiles to allow
+# overriding the core ldscripts
+LINKFLAGS += -L$(RIOTBASE)/core/ldscripts
+
 # Tell ccache to pass the original file to the compiler, instead of passing the
 # preprocessed code. Without this setting, the compilation will fail with
 # -Wimplicit-fallthrough warnings even when the fall through case is properly
diff --git a/boards/native/Makefile.include b/boards/native/Makefile.include
index 9c08c7d8b91f..fa5e2ad18612 100644
--- a/boards/native/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/native/Makefile.include
@@ -59,6 +59,9 @@ else
   LINKFLAGS += -ldl
 endif
 
+# XFA (cross file array) support
+LINKFLAGS += -T$(RIOTBASE)/cpu/native/ldscripts/xfa.ld
+
 # clean up unused functions
 CFLAGS += -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections
 ifeq ($(OS),Darwin)
diff --git a/core/include/xfa.h b/core/include/xfa.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..29a798a3ec7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/include/xfa.h
@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Kaspar Schleiser <kaspar@schleiser.de>
+ *
+ * This file is subject to the terms and conditions of the GNU Lesser
+ * General Public License v2.1. See the file LICENSE in the top level
+ * directory for more details.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * @ingroup     core_util
+ * @brief       Cross File Arrays
+ * @{
+ *
+ * This macro, in combination with an entry in the linker scripts, allows the
+ * definition of constant arrays to be spread over multiple C compilation
+ * units. These arrays are called "cross-file arrays" or short xfa.
+ *
+ * @experimental This API is considered experimental and will probably change
+ *               without notice!
+ *
+ * @file
+ * @author      Kaspar Schleiser <kaspar@schleiser.de>
+ */
+
+#ifndef XFA_H
+#define XFA_H
+
+/*
+ * Unfortunately, current gcc trips over accessing XFA's because of their
+ * zero-size start/end array that are used of symbol markers, with an "array
+ * index out of bounds" warning.  So until a solution for that is found, we
+ * need to disable array bounds checks for files using XFAs.
+ */
+#ifndef DOXYGEN
+_Pragma("GCC diagnostic ignored \"-Warray-bounds\"")
+#endif
+
+/**
+ * @brief helper macro for other XFA_* macros
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+#define _XFA(name, prio) __attribute__((used, section(".xfa." #name "." #prio)))
+
+/**
+ * @brief helper macro for other XFA_* macros
+ *
+ * @internal
+ */
+#define _XFA_CONST(name, \
+                   prio) __attribute__((used, \
+                                        section(".roxfa." #name "." #prio)))
+
+/**
+ * @brief Define a read-only cross-file array
+ *
+ * This macro defines the symbols necessary to use XFA_START() and XFA_END().
+ * It needs to be part of one single compilation unit.
+ *
+ * The pragmas prevent these errors:
+ *
+ *     error: ISO C forbids empty initializer braces
+ *     error: ISO C forbids zero-size array ‘xfatest_const_end’
+ *
+ * @param[in]   type    name of the cross-file array
+ * @param[in]   name    name of the cross-file array
+ */
+#define XFA_INIT_CONST(type, name) \
+    _Pragma("GCC diagnostic push") \
+    _Pragma("GCC diagnostic ignored \"-Wpedantic\"") \
+    _XFA_CONST(name, 0_) const volatile type name [0] = {}; \
+    _XFA_CONST(name, 9_) const volatile type name ## _end [0] = {}; \
+    _Pragma("GCC diagnostic pop") \
+    extern const unsigned __xfa_dummy
+
+/**
+ * @brief Define a writable cross-file array
+ *
+ * This macro defines the symbols necessary to use XFA_START() and XFA_END().
+ * It needs to be part of one single compilation unit.
+ *
+ * The pragmas prevent these errors:
+ *
+ *     error: ISO C forbids empty initializer braces
+ *     error: ISO C forbids zero-size array ‘xfatest_end’
+ *
+ * @param[in]   type    name of the cross-file array
+ * @param[in]   name    name of the cross-file array
+ */
+#define XFA_INIT(type, name) \
+    _Pragma("GCC diagnostic push") \
+    _Pragma("GCC diagnostic ignored \"-Wpedantic\"") \
+    _XFA(name, 0_) type name [0] = {}; \
+    _XFA(name, 9_) type name ## _end [0] = {}; \
+    _Pragma("GCC diagnostic pop") \
+    extern const unsigned __xfa_dummy
+
+/**
+ * @brief Declare an external read-only cross-file array
+ *
+ * This macro defines the symbols necessary to use XFA_START() and XFA_END().
+ * Think of this as XFA_INIT() but with "extern" keyword.
+ * It is supposed to be used in compilation units where the cross file array is
+ * being accessed, but not defined using XFA_INIT.
+ *
+ * @param[in]   type    name of the cross-file array
+ * @param[in]   name    name of the cross-file array
+ */
+#define XFA_USE_CONST(type, name) \
+    extern const type name []; \
+    extern const type name ## _end []
+
+/**
+ * @brief Declare an external writable cross-file array
+ *
+ * This macro defines the symbols necessary to use XFA_START() and XFA_END().
+ * Think of this as XFA_INIT() but with "extern" keyword.
+ * It is supposed to be used in compilation units where the cross file array is
+ * being accessed, but not defined using XFA_INIT.
+ *
+ * @param[in]   type    name of the cross-file array
+ * @param[in]   name    name of the cross-file array
+ */
+#define XFA_USE(type, name) \
+    extern type name []; \
+    extern type name ## _end []
+
+/**
+ * @brief Define variable in writable cross-file array
+ *
+ * Variables will end up sorted by prio.
+ *
+ * Add this to the type in a variable definition, e.g.:
+ *
+ *     XFA(driver_params, 0) driver_params_t _onboard = { .pin=42 };
+ *
+ * @param[in]   xfa_name    name of the xfa
+ * @param[in]   prio        priority within the xfa
+ */
+#define XFA(xfa_name, prio) _XFA(xfa_name, 5_ ## prio)
+
+/**
+ * @brief Define variable in read-only cross-file array
+ *
+ * Variables will end up sorted by prio.
+ *
+ * Add this to the type in a variable definition, e.g.:
+ *
+ *     XFA(driver_params, 0) driver_params_t _onboard = { .pin=42 };
+ *
+ * @param[in]   xfa_name    name of the xfa
+ * @param[in]   prio        priority within the xfa
+ */
+#define XFA_CONST(xfa_name, prio) _XFA_CONST(xfa_name, 5_ ## prio)
+
+/**
+ * @brief Add a pointer to cross-file array
+ *
+ * Pointers will end up sorted by prio.
+ *
+ * @param[in]   xfa_name    name of the xfa
+ * @param[in]   prio        priority within the xfa
+ * @param[in]   name        symbol name
+ * @param[in]   entry       pointer variable to add to xfa
+ */
+#define XFA_ADD_PTR(xfa_name, prio, name, entry) \
+    _XFA_CONST(xfa_name, 5_ ## prio) \
+    const typeof(entry) xfa_name ## _ ## prio ## _ ## name = entry
+
+/**
+ * @brief Calculate number of entries in cross-file array
+ */
+#define XFA_LEN(type, \
+                name) (((const char *)name ## _end - (const char *)name) / \
+                       sizeof(type))
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+/* making externc happy */
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+}
+#endif
+
+#endif /* XFA_H */
+/** @} */
diff --git a/cpu/atmega_common/ldscripts/xfa.ld b/cpu/atmega_common/ldscripts/xfa.ld
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..29b85699c9a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cpu/atmega_common/ldscripts/xfa.ld
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+SECTIONS
+{
+    .data :
+    {
+        /* Special case for AVR (Harvard architecture) where .rodata is merged
+         * into .data by the toolchain default ldscripts. */
+        KEEP (*(SORT(.roxfa.*)))
+        KEEP (*(SORT(.xfa.*)))
+    }
+    __data_start = ADDR(.data);
+    __data_load_start = LOADADDR(.data);
+    __data_end = (__data_start + SIZEOF(.data));
+    __data_load_end = (__data_load_start + SIZEOF(.data));
+}
+
+INSERT AFTER .text;
diff --git a/cpu/cortexm_common/ldscripts/cortexm_base.ld b/cpu/cortexm_common/ldscripts/cortexm_base.ld
index de0dc81fd1d8..01360513e818 100644
--- a/cpu/cortexm_common/ldscripts/cortexm_base.ld
+++ b/cpu/cortexm_common/ldscripts/cortexm_base.ld
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ SECTIONS
         *(.text .text.* .gnu.linkonce.t.*)
         *(.glue_7t) *(.glue_7)
         *(.rodata .rodata* .gnu.linkonce.r.*)
+        KEEP (*(SORT(.roxfa.*)))
         *(.ARM.extab* .gnu.linkonce.armextab.*)
 
         /* Support C constructors, and C destructors in both user code
@@ -167,6 +168,7 @@ SECTIONS
         _srelocate = .;
         *(.ramfunc .ramfunc.*);
         *(.data .data.*);
+        KEEP (*(SORT(.xfa.*)))
         KEEP (*(.openocd .openocd.*))
         . = ALIGN(4);
         _erelocate = .;
diff --git a/cpu/esp32/ld/esp32.common.ld b/cpu/esp32/ld/esp32.common.ld
index 5d78197af266..277a31896efd 100644
--- a/cpu/esp32/ld/esp32.common.ld
+++ b/cpu/esp32/ld/esp32.common.ld
@@ -158,6 +158,7 @@ SECTIONS
     _data_start = ABSOLUTE(.);
     *(.data)
     *(.data.*)
+    KEEP (*(SORT(.xfa.*)))
     *(.gnu.linkonce.d.*)
     *(.data1)
     *(.sdata)
@@ -243,6 +244,7 @@ SECTIONS
     _rodata_start = ABSOLUTE(.);
     *(.rodata)
     *(.rodata.*)
+    KEEP (*(SORT(.roxfa.*)))
     *(.irom1.text) /* catch stray ICACHE_RODATA_ATTR */
     *(.gnu.linkonce.r.*)
     *(.rodata1)
diff --git a/cpu/esp8266/Makefile.include b/cpu/esp8266/Makefile.include
index e8c0b5719c51..4c8a32152e70 100644
--- a/cpu/esp8266/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/esp8266/Makefile.include
@@ -61,9 +61,10 @@ endif
 
 ARCHIVES += -lgcc -lwpa -lcore -lnet80211 -lphy -lpp -lstdc++
 
-LINKFLAGS += -T$(RIOTCPU)/$(CPU)/ld/esp8266.rom.ld
-LINKFLAGS += -T$(RIOTCPU)/$(CPU)/ld/esp8266.riot-os.ld
-LINKFLAGS += -T$(RIOTCPU)/$(CPU)/ld/esp8266.peripherals.ld
+LINKFLAGS += -L$(RIOTCPU)/$(CPU)/ld
+LINKFLAGS += -Tesp8266.rom.ld
+LINKFLAGS += -Tesp8266.riot-os.ld
+LINKFLAGS += -Tesp8266.peripherals.ld
 
 LINKFLAGS += -Wl,-wrap=pp_attach
 LINKFLAGS += -Wl,-wrap=pm_attach
diff --git a/cpu/esp8266/ld/esp8266.riot-os.ld b/cpu/esp8266/ld/esp8266.riot-os.ld
index 56ad0bac075f..e99aa855fe95 100644
--- a/cpu/esp8266/ld/esp8266.riot-os.ld
+++ b/cpu/esp8266/ld/esp8266.riot-os.ld
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ SECTIONS
     *(.sdata2.*)
     *(.gnu.linkonce.s2.*)
     *(.jcr)
+    KEEP (*(SORT(.xfa.*)))
     _data_end = ABSOLUTE(.);
   } >dram0_0_seg :dram0_0_phdr
 
@@ -139,6 +140,7 @@ SECTIONS
     KEEP (*(EXCLUDE_FILE (*crtend.o) .dtors))
     KEEP (*(SORT(.dtors.*)))
     KEEP (*(.dtors))
+    KEEP (*(SORT(.roxfa.*)))
     /*  C++ exception handlers table:  */
     __XT_EXCEPTION_DESCS__ = ABSOLUTE(.);
     *(.xt_except_desc)
diff --git a/cpu/lpc23xx/ldscripts/lpc23xx.ld b/cpu/lpc23xx/ldscripts/lpc23xx.ld
index 48ef75e87c77..53156e7c8f83 100644
--- a/cpu/lpc23xx/ldscripts/lpc23xx.ld
+++ b/cpu/lpc23xx/ldscripts/lpc23xx.ld
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ SECTIONS
         KEEP (*(EXCLUDE_FILE (*crtend.o) .dtors))
         KEEP (*(SORT(.dtors.*)))
         KEEP (*crtend.o(.dtors))
+        KEEP (*(SORT(.roxfa.*)))
 
         . = ALIGN(4);
         _efixed = .;            /* End of text section */
@@ -163,6 +164,7 @@ SECTIONS
         *(.ramfunc .ramfunc.*);
         *(.data .data.*);
         KEEP (*(.openocd .openocd.*))
+        KEEP (*(SORT(.xfa.*)))
         . = ALIGN(4);
         _erelocate = .;
     } > ram AT> rom
diff --git a/cpu/mips_pic32_common/Makefile.include b/cpu/mips_pic32_common/Makefile.include
index 421ce149958b..0b1918fd9ba6 100644
--- a/cpu/mips_pic32_common/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/mips_pic32_common/Makefile.include
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ include $(RIOTCPU)/mips32r2_common/Makefile.include
 CFLAGS += -D_SYS__PTHREADTYPES_H_
 
 CFLAGS += -DCPU_FAM_$(call uppercase_and_underscore,$(CPU_FAM))
-
+LINKFLAGS += -L$(RIOTCPU)/mips_pic32_common/ldscripts
 INCLUDES += -I$(RIOTCPU)/mips_pic32_common/include
-
 DIRS += $(RIOTCPU)/$(CPU)/$(CPU_MODEL)
diff --git a/cpu/mips_pic32_common/ldscripts/xfa.ld b/cpu/mips_pic32_common/ldscripts/xfa.ld
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..ef5e17a9a41b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cpu/mips_pic32_common/ldscripts/xfa.ld
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+SECTIONS
+{
+    .data :
+    {
+        KEEP (*(SORT(.xfa.*)))
+    }
+    _fdata = ADDR(.data);
+    _edata = (_fdata + SIZEOF(.data));
+}
+
+INSERT BEFORE .sbss;
+
+SECTIONS
+{
+    .rodata :
+    {
+        KEEP (*(SORT(.roxfa.*)))
+    }
+}
+
+INSERT AFTER .dtors;
diff --git a/cpu/msp430_common/ldscripts/xfa.ld b/cpu/msp430_common/ldscripts/xfa.ld
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..7b115a66c172
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cpu/msp430_common/ldscripts/xfa.ld
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+SECTIONS
+{
+    .rodata :
+    {
+        KEEP (*(SORT(.roxfa.*)))
+    } > ROM
+}
+
+INSERT AFTER .rodata;
+
+SECTIONS
+{
+    .data :
+    {
+        KEEP (*(SORT(.xfa.*)))
+    } > RAM AT> ROM
+
+    . = ALIGN(2);
+    _edata = .;
+    PROVIDE (edata = .);
+    PROVIDE (__dataend = .);
+}
+
+INSERT AFTER .data;
diff --git a/cpu/native/ldscripts/xfa.ld b/cpu/native/ldscripts/xfa.ld
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..d2b7d1d6dcf8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cpu/native/ldscripts/xfa.ld
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+SECTIONS
+{
+    .data :
+    {
+        KEEP (*(SORT(.xfa.*)))
+    }
+}
+
+INSERT AFTER .text;
+
+SECTIONS
+{
+    .rodata :
+    {
+        KEEP (*(SORT(.roxfa.*)))
+    }
+}
+
+INSERT AFTER .text;
diff --git a/cpu/riscv_common/ldscripts/riscv_base.ld b/cpu/riscv_common/ldscripts/riscv_base.ld
index 44b62ac8551e..906b2b16e8bc 100644
--- a/cpu/riscv_common/ldscripts/riscv_base.ld
+++ b/cpu/riscv_common/ldscripts/riscv_base.ld
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ SECTIONS
     *(.rdata)
     *(.rodata .rodata.*)
     *(.gnu.linkonce.r.*)
+    KEEP (*(SORT(.roxfa.*)))
   } >flash AT>flash :flash
 
   . = ALIGN(4);
@@ -182,6 +183,7 @@ SECTIONS
     *(.srodata.cst4)
     *(.srodata.cst2)
     *(.srodata .srodata.*)
+    KEEP (*(SORT(.xfa.*)))
   } >ram AT>flash :ram_init
 
   . = ALIGN(4);
diff --git a/makefiles/arch/atmega.inc.mk b/makefiles/arch/atmega.inc.mk
index 2c2169323d9b..98c7d83c2513 100644
--- a/makefiles/arch/atmega.inc.mk
+++ b/makefiles/arch/atmega.inc.mk
@@ -9,8 +9,11 @@ CFLAGS_OPT  ?= -Os
 
 CFLAGS    += $(CFLAGS_CPU) $(CFLAGS_LINK) $(CFLAGS_DBG) $(CFLAGS_OPT)
 ASFLAGS   += $(CFLAGS_CPU) $(CFLAGS_DBG)
+
+# needed for xfa support. Order is important.
+LINKFLAGS += -T$(RIOTCPU)/atmega_common/ldscripts/xfa.ld
+
 LINKFLAGS += $(CFLAGS_CPU) $(CFLAGS_DBG) $(CFLAGS_OPT) -static -lgcc -e reset_handler -Wl,--gc-sections
-OFLAGS    += -j .text -j .data
 
 # Use ROM_LEN and RAM_LEN during link
 $(if $(ROM_LEN),,$(error ROM_LEN is not defined))
diff --git a/makefiles/arch/mips.inc.mk b/makefiles/arch/mips.inc.mk
index fc92ab78a318..93f3258a5e2a 100644
--- a/makefiles/arch/mips.inc.mk
+++ b/makefiles/arch/mips.inc.mk
@@ -64,6 +64,9 @@ LINKFLAGS += -L$(RIOTCPU)/$(CPU)/ldscripts
 LINKFLAGS += $(CFLAGS_CPU) $(CFLAGS_DBG) $(CFLAGS_OPT)
 LINKFLAGS += -Wl,--gc-sections
 
+# XFA support
+LINKFLAGS += -T$(RIOTCPU)/mips_pic32_common/ldscripts/xfa.ld
+
 OPTIONAL_CFLAGS_BLACKLIST += -Wformat-overflow
 OPTIONAL_CFLAGS_BLACKLIST += -Wformat-truncation
 OPTIONAL_CFLAGS_BLACKLIST += -gz
diff --git a/makefiles/arch/msp430.inc.mk b/makefiles/arch/msp430.inc.mk
index 011e2778eaa7..801d155274c8 100644
--- a/makefiles/arch/msp430.inc.mk
+++ b/makefiles/arch/msp430.inc.mk
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ ASFLAGS += $(CFLAGS_CPU) --defsym $(CPU_MODEL)=1 $(CFLAGS_DBG)
 
 LINKFLAGS += $(CFLAGS_CPU) $(CFLAGS_DBG) $(CFLAGS_OPT)
 LINKFLAGS += -Wl,--gc-sections -Wl,-L$(MSP430_SUPPORT_FILES)/include
+LINKFLAGS += -T $(MSP430_SUPPORT_FILES)/include/$(CPU_MODEL).ld
+LINKFLAGS += $(RIOTCPU)/msp430_common/ldscripts/xfa.ld
 
 OPTIONAL_CFLAGS_BLACKLIST += -fdiagnostics-color
 OPTIONAL_CFLAGS_BLACKLIST += -Wformat-overflow
diff --git a/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core-xfa-data1.c b/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core-xfa-data1.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..af8af9c07828
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core-xfa-data1.c
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2018 Eistec AB
+ *
+ * This file is subject to the terms and conditions of the GNU Lesser
+ * General Public License v2.1. See the file LICENSE in the top level
+ * directory for more details.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * @addtogroup  unittests
+ * @{
+ *
+ * @file
+ * @brief       Data elements for the core/xfa unit test
+ *
+ * @author      Joakim Nohlgård <joakim.nohlgard@eistec.se>
+ */
+#include "xfa.h"
+#include "tests-core-xfa.h"
+
+XFA(xfatest, 0) xfatest_t _xfatest1 = { .val = 12345, .text = "xfatest1" };
+XFA_CONST(xfatest_const, 0) xfatest_t _xfatest_const1 = { .val = 0xcafe, .text = "xfatest_const1" };
+
+XFA_INIT(xfatest_t, xfatest_use);
+XFA_INIT_CONST(xfatest_t, xfatest_use_const);
+
+XFA(xfatest_use, 0) xfatest_t _xfatest_use1 = { .val = 3333, .text = "xfatest_use1" };
+XFA(xfatest_use, 0) xfatest_t _xfatest_use_again = { .val = 555, .text = "xfatest use again" };
+XFA_CONST(xfatest_use_const, 0) xfatest_t _xfatest_use_const1 = { .val = 4444, .text = "xfatest_use_const1" };
+
+int hack1;
+/** @} */
diff --git a/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core-xfa-data2.c b/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core-xfa-data2.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..01bb08ad1c82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core-xfa-data2.c
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2018 Eistec AB
+ *
+ * This file is subject to the terms and conditions of the GNU Lesser
+ * General Public License v2.1. See the file LICENSE in the top level
+ * directory for more details.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * @addtogroup  unittests
+ * @{
+ *
+ * @file
+ * @brief       Data elements for the core/xfa unit test
+ *
+ * @author      Joakim Nohlgård <joakim.nohlgard@eistec.se>
+ */
+#include "xfa.h"
+#include "tests-core-xfa.h"
+
+XFA(xfatest, 0) xfatest_t _xfatest2 = { .val = 0xbeef, .text = "another test string" };
+XFA_CONST(xfatest_const, 0) xfatest_t _xfatest_const2 = { .val = 32444, .text = "const string xfa 2" };
+XFA(xfatest_use, 0) xfatest_t _xfatest_use2 = { .val = 11111, .text = "xfatest_use2" };
+XFA_CONST(xfatest_use_const, 0) xfatest_t _xfatest_use_const2 = { .val = 22222, .text = "xfatest_use_const2" };
+
+/** @} */
diff --git a/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core-xfa.c b/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core-xfa.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..1b0deb4d7b5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core-xfa.c
@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2018 Eistec AB
+ *
+ * This file is subject to the terms and conditions of the GNU Lesser
+ * General Public License v2.1. See the file LICENSE in the top level
+ * directory for more details.
+ */
+
+#include <stdint.h>
+#include "bitarithm.h"
+#include "xfa.h"
+
+#include "embUnit.h"
+
+#include "tests-core.h"
+#include "tests-core-xfa.h"
+
+XFA_INIT(xfatest_t, xfatest);
+XFA_INIT_CONST(xfatest_t, xfatest_const);
+XFA_USE(xfatest_t, xfatest_use);
+XFA_USE_CONST(xfatest_t, xfatest_use_const);
+
+/* Verifying that cross file array linking is correct by iterating over an external array */
+static void test_xfa_data(void)
+{
+    unsigned n = XFA_LEN(xfatest_t, xfatest);
+    TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_INT(2, n);
+    unsigned found = 0;
+    for (unsigned k = 0; k < n; ++k) {
+        /* we do not want to enforce the order of the data elements */
+        switch (xfatest[k].val) {
+            case 12345:
+                /* tests-core-xfa-data1.c */
+                TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_STRING("xfatest1", xfatest[k].text);
+                TEST_ASSERT(!(found & BIT0));
+                found |= BIT0;
+                break;
+            case 0xbeef:
+                /* tests-core-xfa-data2.c */
+                TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_STRING("another test string", xfatest[k].text);
+                TEST_ASSERT(!(found & BIT1));
+                found |= BIT1;
+                break;
+            default:
+                break;
+        }
+    }
+    TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_INT((1U << n) - 1, found);
+}
+
+static void test_xfa_const_data(void)
+{
+    unsigned n = XFA_LEN(xfatest_t, xfatest_const);
+    TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_INT(2, n);
+    unsigned found = 0;
+    for (unsigned k = 0; k < n; ++k) {
+        /* we do not want to enforce the order of the data elements */
+        switch (xfatest_const[k].val) {
+            case 0xcafe:
+                /* tests-core-xfa-data1.c */
+                TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_STRING("xfatest_const1", xfatest_const[k].text);
+                ++found;
+                break;
+            case 32444:
+                /* tests-core-xfa-data2.c */
+                TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_STRING("const string xfa 2", xfatest_const[k].text);
+                ++found;
+                break;
+            default:
+                break;
+        }
+    }
+    TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_INT(n, found);
+}
+
+static void test_xfa_use_data(void)
+{
+    unsigned n = XFA_LEN(xfatest_t, xfatest_use);
+    TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_INT(3, n);
+    unsigned found = 0;
+    for (unsigned k = 0; k < n; ++k) {
+        /* we do not want to enforce the order of the data elements */
+        switch (xfatest_use[k].val) {
+            case 3333:
+                /* tests-core-xfa-data1.c */
+                TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_STRING("xfatest_use1", xfatest_use[k].text);
+                ++found;
+                break;
+            case 555:
+                /* tests-core-xfa-data1.c */
+                TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_STRING("xfatest use again", xfatest_use[k].text);
+                ++found;
+                break;
+            case 11111:
+                /* tests-core-xfa-data2.c */
+                TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_STRING("xfatest_use2", xfatest_use[k].text);
+                ++found;
+                break;
+            default:
+                break;
+        }
+    }
+    TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_INT(n, found);
+}
+
+static void test_xfa_use_const_data(void)
+{
+    unsigned n = XFA_LEN(xfatest_t, xfatest_use_const);
+    TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_INT(2, n);
+    unsigned found = 0;
+    for (unsigned k = 0; k < n; ++k) {
+        /* we do not want to enforce the order of the data elements */
+        switch (xfatest_use_const[k].val) {
+            case 4444:
+                /* tests-core-xfa-data1.c */
+                TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_STRING("xfatest_use_const1", xfatest_use_const[k].text);
+                ++found;
+                break;
+            case 22222:
+                /* tests-core-xfa-data2.c */
+                TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_STRING("xfatest_use_const2", xfatest_use_const[k].text);
+                ++found;
+                break;
+            default:
+                break;
+        }
+    }
+    TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_INT(n, found);
+}
+
+Test *tests_core_xfa_tests(void)
+{
+    EMB_UNIT_TESTFIXTURES(fixtures) {
+        new_TestFixture(test_xfa_data),
+        new_TestFixture(test_xfa_const_data),
+        new_TestFixture(test_xfa_use_data),
+        new_TestFixture(test_xfa_use_const_data),
+    };
+
+    EMB_UNIT_TESTCALLER(core_xfa_tests, NULL, NULL,
+                        fixtures);
+
+    return (Test *)&core_xfa_tests;
+}
diff --git a/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core-xfa.h b/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core-xfa.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..9efd5267f6c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core-xfa.h
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2018 Eistec AB
+ *
+ * This file is subject to the terms and conditions of the GNU Lesser
+ * General Public License v2.1. See the file LICENSE in the top level
+ * directory for more details.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * @addtogroup  unittests
+ * @{
+ *
+ * @file
+ * @brief       Declarations for the core/xfa unit test
+ *
+ * @author      Joakim Nohlgård <joakim.nohlgard@eistec.se>
+ */
+#ifndef TESTS_CORE_XFA_H
+#define TESTS_CORE_XFA_H
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+
+typedef struct {
+    unsigned val;
+    const char *text;
+} xfatest_t;
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+}
+#endif
+
+#endif /* TESTS_CORE_XFA_H */
+
+/** @} */
diff --git a/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core.c b/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core.c
index 3551286e5d6e..fe7dfe2af539 100644
--- a/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core.c
+++ b/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core.c
@@ -19,4 +19,5 @@ void tests_core(void)
     TESTS_RUN(tests_core_priority_queue_tests());
     TESTS_RUN(tests_core_byteorder_tests());
     TESTS_RUN(tests_core_ringbuffer_tests());
+    TESTS_RUN(tests_core_xfa_tests());
 }
diff --git a/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core.h b/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core.h
index a22a58e4d8b1..294e888fe0d4 100644
--- a/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core.h
+++ b/tests/unittests/tests-core/tests-core.h
@@ -92,6 +92,13 @@ Test *tests_core_byteorder_tests(void);
  */
 Test *tests_core_ringbuffer_tests(void);
 
+/**
+ * @brief   Generates tests for xfa.h
+ *
+ * @return  embUnit tests if successful, NULL if not.
+ */
+Test *tests_core_xfa_tests(void);
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/tests/xfa/Makefile b/tests/xfa/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..a7e027850621
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xfa/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+include ../Makefile.tests_common
+
+include $(RIOTBASE)/Makefile.include
+
+all: static-test
+static-test: $(ELFFILE)
+	$(Q)TEST_STARTADDR=$$($(OBJDUMP) -t $< | grep -E '\sxfatest_const$$' | awk '{ printf "0x%s", $$1}'); \
+	TEST_ENDADDR=$$($(OBJDUMP) -t $< | grep -E '\sxfatest_const_end$$' | awk '{ printf "0x%s", $$1}'); \
+	if test ! $$((TEST_STARTADDR)) -lt $$((TEST_ENDADDR)); then \
+	  echo "Error: Static check of XFA linked const array failed, verify linker flags and try again" >&2; \
+	  exit 1; \
+	fi
diff --git a/tests/xfa/main.c b/tests/xfa/main.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..1bd38ce3810b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xfa/main.c
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2015 Kaspar Schleiser <kaspar@schleiser.de>
+ *
+ * This file is subject to the terms and conditions of the GNU Lesser
+ * General Public License v2.1. See the file LICENSE in the top level
+ * directory for more details.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * @ingroup     test
+ * @{
+ *
+ * @file
+ * @brief       cross file array (XFA) test application
+ *
+ * @author      Kaspar Schleiser <kaspar@schleiser.de>
+ *
+ * @}
+ */
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+#include "xfa.h"
+
+#include "xfatest.h"
+
+XFA_INIT(xfatest_t, xfatest);
+XFA_INIT_CONST(xfatest_t, xfatest_const);
+
+int main(void)
+{
+    puts("Cross file array test");
+
+    unsigned n = XFA_LEN(xfatest_t, xfatest);
+    printf("xfatest[%u]:\n", n);
+    for (unsigned i = 0; i < n; i++) {
+        printf("[%u] = %u, \"%s\"\n", i, xfatest[i].val, xfatest[i].text);
+    }
+    n = XFA_LEN(xfatest_t, xfatest_const);
+    printf("xfatest_const[%u]:\n", n);
+    for (unsigned i = 0; i < n; i++) {
+        printf("[%u] = %u, \"%s\"\n", i, xfatest_const[i].val, xfatest_const[i].text);
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
diff --git a/tests/xfa/tests/01-run.py b/tests/xfa/tests/01-run.py
new file mode 100755
index 000000000000..88a6425ca4f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xfa/tests/01-run.py
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+
+# Copyright (C) 2021 Freie Universität Berlin
+#               2021 Inria
+#               2021 Kaspar Schleiser <kaspar@schleiser.de>
+#
+# This file is subject to the terms and conditions of the GNU Lesser
+# General Public License v2.1. See the file LICENSE in the top level
+# directory for more details.
+
+import sys
+from testrunner import run
+
+
+def testfunc(child):
+    child.expect_exact('Cross file array test')
+    child.expect_exact('xfatest[2]:')
+    child.expect_exact('[0] = 1, "xfatest1"')
+    child.expect_exact('[1] = 2, "xfatest2"')
+    child.expect_exact('xfatest_const[2]:')
+    child.expect_exact('[0] = 123, "xfatest_const1"')
+    child.expect_exact('[1] = 45, "xfatest_const2"')
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    sys.exit(run(testfunc))
diff --git a/tests/xfa/xfatest.h b/tests/xfa/xfatest.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..1645123c0e36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xfa/xfatest.h
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2016 Kaspar Schleiser <kaspar@schleiser.de>
+ *
+ * This file is subject to the terms and conditions of the GNU Lesser
+ * General Public License v2.1. See the file LICENSE in the top level
+ * directory for more details.
+ */
+
+#ifndef XFATEST_H
+#define XFATEST_H
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+
+#ifndef DOXYGEN /* just a test header, please ignore */
+
+typedef struct {
+    unsigned val;
+    const char *text;
+} xfatest_t;
+
+#endif /* DOXYGEN */
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+}
+#endif
+
+#endif /* XFATEST_H */
diff --git a/tests/xfa/xfatest1.c b/tests/xfa/xfatest1.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..ace77dc27284
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xfa/xfatest1.c
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+#include "xfa.h"
+#include "xfatest.h"
+
+XFA(xfatest, 0) xfatest_t _xfatest1 = { .val = 1, .text = "xfatest1" };
+XFA_CONST(xfatest_const, 0) xfatest_t _xfatest_const1 = { .val = 123, .text = "xfatest_const1" };
diff --git a/tests/xfa/xfatest2.c b/tests/xfa/xfatest2.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..ebf6db651c5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xfa/xfatest2.c
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+#include "xfa.h"
+#include "xfatest.h"
+
+XFA(xfatest, 0) xfatest_t _xfatest2 = { .val = 2, .text = "xfatest2" };
+XFA_CONST(xfatest_const, 0) xfatest_t _xfatest_const2 = { .val = 45, .text = "xfatest_const2" };