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Original question:

DLPC2607: Use of mobile DDR SDRAM

DLPC2607: Purpose of Mobile DDR SDRAM

MANIKANDAN B
Prodigy 75 points
Part Number: DLPC2607
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DLPA1000, DLPDLCR2000EVM

Tool/software:

Hello Texas Instruments,

I am currently working on transferring a buffer to a projector using the DLPC2607 display controller.

The DLPC2607 datasheet mentions a 16-bit interface for Mobile DDR DRAM and its compatibility with the controller. I would like to confirm whether this memory is strictly necessary for the DLPC2607 to function as a video buffer. If it is optional, can we remove it based on our requirements?

  • 0
    TI__Genius 9570 points

    Hello User, 

    Welcome to the E2E forums and thank you for your interest in DLP technology. We hope to assist you with your questions. 

    The mobile DDR DRAM is used as a double buffer frame memory and is necessary for normal operation and design. It will convert the RGB bitplane data into the necessary format for the DMD. 

    Please note the below information is for a different chipset which uses an internal buffer but I just wanted to provide more information on what the buffer is doing. For the DLPC2607 since it does not have an internal buffer it is necessary for the mobile DDR DRAM to be used as an external buffer for proper operation. 

    Thanks,

    Alex Chan

  • 0 in reply to Alexander Chan
    Prodigy 75 points

    Hi Alex,

    Thankyou for providing the details.

    From your reply we understand that, the DLPC2607 does not have an internal buffer, so it's necessary to add mobile DDR DRAM as an external buffer for proper operation in our design.

    We have a few clarifications:

    • Does the DLPC2607 display controller automatically configure the external mobile DDR DRAM? 

    • We have downloaded the "dlpc2607_firmware.zip" using the Firmware Selector tool (FWSel_DLPC2607_DLPA1000_pm1_i2c0x36_v1p2p6.exe) from the TI website. Could you clarify the purpose of this firmware? Do we need to manually flash this firmware, or is it auto-configurable?

    • In the DLPC2607 block diagram (see the circled area in the image below), there is a Flash memory located between the DLPC2607 and DLPA1000. Our understanding is that this Flash memory is used to store certain configuration registers during boot-up. Could you please confirm whether our understanding is correct?

     

  • 0 in reply to MANIKANDAN B
    TI__Genius 9570 points

    Hello User,

    The DLPC2607 will handle and take care of the external mobile DDR DRAM so there is no action on your end. Just ensure you follow the DRAM requirements from section 8.2.2.2 of the DLPC2607 datasheet. 

    The external flash is used for configuration support where you can customize things like the sequences, CMT tables, and splash images. The process for flashing the controller can be found in Section 2.3.2.1 of the DLPC2607 Software Programmer's Guide. You can also read more about the external serial flash in the DLPC2607 datasheet in section 7.4. 

    Regards,

    Alex Chan

  • 0 in reply to Alexander Chan
    Prodigy 75 points

    Hi Alex,

    Thank you for the details.

    From your response, we understand the following:

    1. The DLPC2607 display controller comes with default firmware pre-loaded which is compatible with DDR DRAM device mentioned in datasheet 8.2.2.2, so there is no need to flash any additional firmware separately.
    2. An external SPI serial flash memory device is only required, if we need to customize elements such as sequences, CMT tables, or splash images during Auto-initialize.

      Could you please confirm whether our understanding is correct?

       

  • 0 in reply to MANIKANDAN B
    TI__Genius 9570 points

    Hello User,

    Please see the following responses to your numbered points. 

    1.) If you have the EVM that is associated with the DLPC2607, which is the DLPLCR2000EVM, the external flash should come preprogrammed. If you are creating your own board or reference design, you will need to program the DLPC2607 external flash chip manually.

    2.) The external SPI serial flash memory device is required as the DLPC2607 does not have its own internal flash to hold any firmware. 

    Regards,

    Alex Chan

  • 0 in reply to Alexander Chan
    Prodigy 75 points

    Dear Alex,

    Thank you for the details.

    We are clear about the DDR DRAM requirements:

    DDR DRAM: Since the DLPC2607 does not have an internal buffer, the mobile DDR DRAM is required as an external buffer for proper operation. The DLPC2607 will automatically manage the external DDR DRAM, so no further action is required from our side. We are planning to use the Micron device "MT46H16M16LFBF-6IT:H" which is compatible with the DLPC2607, as mentioned in Datasheet section 8.2.2.2. We understand this and will include it in our design.

    However, have some clarifications regarding the External SPI Flash memory:

    1. The external SPI flash memory is essential for the DLPC2607, Since the DLPC2607 does not have its own internal flash memory, this SPI flash memory will hold the firmware. DLPC2607 will not boot without this external SPI Flash memory. Am I right?

    2. Firmware: Since we are designing our own board (and not using the DLPLCR2000EVM), We understand that the external SPI flash memory must be manually programmed with the firmware file "FWSel_DLPC2607_DLPA1000_pm1_i2c0x36_v1p2p6" generated using the DLPC2607 Firmware Selector Tool. Is this the same firmware preprogrammed in EVM, which you have mentioned above?

    3. Is this firmware required for the DLPC2607 to boot successfully? If so, could you guide us on how to flash this firmware onto the external SPI flash memory? Since we are designing our own board (and not using the DLPLCR2000EVM), the DLPC2607 will not have any preloaded firmware at bootup. We couldn't find detailed instructions on how to flash the external SPI flash memory in the datasheet or the software guide. 

    Regards,
    Manikandan

  • +1 in reply to MANIKANDAN B
    TI__Genius 9570 points

    Hello User,

    Yes the external SPI flash memory must be correctly programmed with the mentioned firmware file for correct DLPC2607 operation.

    You will need to use some sort of flash programming software and some sort of clip or adapter to program the flash chip itself. 

    In our reference design page 4 for the DLPDLCR2000EVM (https://www.ti.com/lit/pdf/tidrs01) we use the W25Q16DW flash chip part.

    You can use something like this which has ways to either use a clip to clamp onto the flash chip itself to program or you can insert a chip into a socket to program. https://www.amazon.com/LVTFCO-RT809F-Programmer-Adapters-Reader/dp/B0C8SZCHST

    Regards,

    Alex Chan

  • 0 in reply to Alexander Chan
    Prodigy 75 points

    Hello Alex,

    Thanks for providing the information.

    This has resolved my issue.

    Regards,
    Manikandan