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Flash ROM size and type for DLPC350

Nobuyoshi Arai44
Expert 2575 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DLPC350, DLP4500, DLPR350

Hello DLP ALC team,

 

A parallel Flash ROM for the firmware should be connected to DLPC350.

I would like to ask you some questions about the Flash ROM. Would you please answer these questions?

 

Q1. What is the optimal size of this flash in case of the typical application?

There is a large size of Flash in the LightcCrafter4500 because it is used also for storing the pattern image. Thus, we would like to know what is the typical flash ROM size only for the firmware (without pattern image).

 

Q2. Is there any restriction of the type of parallel flash ROM for DLPC350? Or, do you have any criteria to select the flash? It looks the LightCrafter4500 is using the flash which supports a dual operation. Would you please tell us the reason why this type of flash is used?

 

It would be helpful if you can give any comment or advice to these questions above.

 

Best Regards,

 

Nobuyoshi Arai

  • 0
    TI__Genius 13235 points
    Hi Nobuyoshi,

    You can find more information about the flash signals and design considerations in the DLPC350 datasheet as well as the DLP4500 chipset datasheet (www.ti.com/.../dlpu009). Please note that we have not tested multiple flash sizes and our recommendation is based on what we have tested.

    You can find further discussion and details in this thread: e2e.ti.com/.../1174000

    Thanks,
    Clinton
  • 0 in reply to Clinton Rodgers
    Expert 2575 points
    Clinton-san,

    Thank you for the information. The thread you introduced is helpful.

    Best Regards,
    Nobuyoshi Arai
  • 0 in reply to Clinton Rodgers
    Expert 2575 points
    Hello Clinton-san,


    We have got an additional question about the flash size. Would you please give any comment?

    According to the thread you introduced, e2e.ti.com/.../1174000 , there is a following explanation;

    >>>
    The DLPR350 firmware is about 6 MB when bundled with 14 24-bit images containing 336 patterns. I would not recommend selecting a flash memory unit below 10 MB so that the distributed firmware can be loaded to verify your DLPC350 functions properly.
    >>>

    However, if we download the software called DLPR350PROM_v2.0_2014_07_25.zip and install it to the PC, it looks the size of firmware called DLPR350PROM_v2.0.0.bin is about 1.9MB. There is no 6MB file in the DLPRR350PROM folder. Thus, would you please tell us what is the correct firmware size of DLPC350?

    Our customer is considering to make their own board using DLPC350 and DLP4500. We think they should write DLPR350PROM_v2.0.0.bin + alpha to their Flash ROM and they want to know what size of FLASH ROM is needed at least.
    Would you please tell us again what size the user should prepare for the FLASH ROM? Is more than 10MB still needed or less than 10MB should be good for them?

    I am sorry but it would be helpful if you can explain it again.

    Best Regards,

    Nobuyoshi Arai / Macnica
  • 0 in reply to Nobuyoshi Arai44
    Expert 2575 points
    Hello Clinton-san,

    I am sorry　again but it would be helpful if you can give any comment to the parallel flash ROM size.
    Thank you very much for your help.

    Best Regards,
    Nobu Arai
  • 0 in reply to Nobuyoshi Arai44
    Expert 2575 points
    Hello Clinton-san,

    Please let me change my question of this thread.
    Our customer just wants to know what size of the parallel Flash ROM is needed at least. So, would you please give us the information of the minimum size of Flash for CLPC350?
    I think Flash ROM is including the DLP firmware and some internal pattern image and etc… If you can reduce and eliminate the unnecessary function or pattern image, we would like to know how many size can be reduced and what is the minimum size of Flash ROM they have to prepare.
    I also think you have a plan to update the firmware in the future. It should be better if you can answer this question based on the firmware size of future releases.

    Best Regards,
    Nobu Arai
  • 0 in reply to Nobuyoshi Arai44
    TI__Genius 13235 points

    Hi Arai-san,

    Let me clarify. In the post I referenced, the latest version of the DLPC350 FW at the time was 6 MB. This was primarily due to the number of extra pattern images that were bundled with the firmware. We removed most of those images with the 2.0 release, which is ~1.9 MB, as you mentioned. The 3.0 release that is scheduled to be out at the end of this month will be about the same size.

    In regards to memory size, the only constraints are that it be able to fit the size of the FW and that a single chip is not larger than 128 MB. If there are any additional patterns you would like to store, this will need to be taken into account. The LightCrafter4500 GUI can bundle your pattern images and create a new binary, which will determine the new minimum size requirement.

    I would like to reiterate that we have only tested the devices mentioned in the flash parameters file. However, it is a standard interface and you may test using another memory device that meets the datasheet specifications.

    Let us know if you have any additional questions.

    Thanks,
    Clinton

  • 0 in reply to Clinton Rodgers
    Expert 2575 points
    Hello Clinton-san,Thank you for the answer.
    I understand that the 6MB is the size of old firmware and the current firmware (v2.0) and new firmware (v3.0) is about 2MB.
    So, user does not need to use more than 10MB Flash ROM and can use the smaller flash device like 4MB or 8MB, if it can include the firmware itself and some necessary pattern files.
    I will answer it to the customer.Best Regards,Nobu Arai