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AM2432: Ethernet booting for flashing FW

Sung-IL
Mastermind 30850 points
Part Number: AM2432
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: UNIFLASH

Dear Champs,

Ethernet booting is supported on AM2432?

I found it in TRM and would like to confirm it.

And also, is it possible to use Ethernet booting to flash FW on QSPI flash memory in the production?

e.g. SBL_QSPI and app will be sent through Ethernet and flashed on QSPI flash memory in the production.

Can you comment brief idea how customer can implement it using uniflash tool by modifying source or other else?

Thanks and Best Regards,

SI.

  • 0
    TI__Guru 55055 points

    Hi Sl,

    Yes, AM243x RBL does support boot from Ethernet. The detailed process is described in TRM sections 4.4.5. The RBL will load SBL from TFPT server following BOOTP/TFTP protocol.

    The issue is after RBL load SBL_QSPI from TFTP server, it will pass the control to SBL_QSPI, the SBL_OSPI will then load the app image from QSPI flash. It will not do what you wanted it to do (load app image from Ethernet then flash it into the flash). Of course, you can modify he SBL_QSPI to SBL_ETH_QSPI which does "load app image from Ethernet then flash it into the flash, then load the app image from QSPI flash".

    Current MCU+ SDK SBL does not support this feature.

    Best regards,

    Ming

  • +1 in reply to Ming Wei
    TI__Mastermind 27743 points

    Hi SI, Ming,

    Just a clarification -

    Ethernet booting won't be supported in AM243x SOC due to below errata. As we can't apply Workaround in the ROM code, Ethernet boot is non-functional in the AM243x/AM64 SOCs. 

    i2331 CPSW: Device lockup when reading CPSW registers

    Details: A device lockup can occur during the second read of any CPSW subsystem register after any MAIN domain power on reset (POR). A MAIN domain POR occurs using the hardware MCU_PORz signal, or via software using CTRLMMR_RST_CTRL.SW_MAIN_POR or CTRLMMR_MCU_RST_CTRL.SW_MAIN_POR. After these resets, the processor and internal bus structures may get into a state which is only recoverable with full device reset using MCU_PORz. Due to this errata, Ethernet boot should not be used on this device.

    Additional info in Errata doc - link: https://www.ti.com/lit/pdf/sprz457

    You can use two stage bootloader with primary BL in QSPI/Flash which loading the application via Ethernet (as workaround can be applied in application).

    Regards,

    Prasad

  • 0 in reply to Prasad Jondhale
    TI__Mastermind 30850 points

    Hi Ming, Prasad,

    Thanks for the clarification and I understand Ethernet boot is not supported on AM243x.

    How about USB or MMCSD boot? Is there any limitation for USB or MMCSD boot for this purpose?

    Ming Wei said:
    Of course, you can modify he SBL_QSPI to SBL_ETH_QSPI which does "load app image from Ethernet then flash it into the flash, then load the app image from QSPI flash".

    Yes. I assume customer will modify SBL to their customized one to load app image from Ethernet/USB/MMCSD into the flash by themselves.

    Thanks and Best Regards,

    SI.

  • +1 in reply to Sung-IL
    TI__Guru 55055 points

    Hi SI,

    As far as I know, the USB and MMSCD are supported by the RBL, but SBL_USB is not currently supported by the MCU+ SDK.

    The MCU+ SDK does support SBL_SD. You can find what peripherals are supported by SBL in C:\ti\mcu_plus_sdk_am243x_08_03_00_18\examples\drivers\boot

    Best regards,

    Ming