[FAQ] AM2634: How to choose & setup the Dual core with Lockstep feature?

Hi

(1) CURRENT FLOW FOR LOCKSTEP & DUAL CORE

The following is the flow for Lockstep / Dual core:

1. After Power On Reset, the R5F0 core is initially in Lockstep mode.

2. If your app image contains code for both cores, then our  SBL configures it into Dual Core mode.

3. If your app image contains code only for a single core, then it is configured to Lockstep mode.

4. This configuration cannot be changed again once set. Only the next Power On reset can modify the configuration you need.

If you already have a single core image and using our SBL, then your core will be configured into lockstep automatically and there is nothing you need to do.

• For more information on the Boot flow: 
• software-dl.ti.com/.../DRIVERS_BOOTLOADER_PAGE.html

(2) DUAL CORE MODE EXAMPLE PROJECTS

To generate dual core image you can import example projects like:

• "examples\empty\am263x-cc\system_freertos"
• "examples/drivers/ipc/ipc_notify_echo".

Links: 

https://software-dl.ti.com/mcu-plus-sdk/esd/AM263X/08_03_00_23/exports/docs/api_guide_am263x/DRIVERS_IPC_NOTIFY_PAGE.html

https://software-dl.ti.com/mcu-plus-sdk/esd/AM263X/08_03_00_23/exports/docs/api_guide_am263x/EXAMPLES_DRIVERS_IPC_NOTIFY_ECHO.html

https://software-dl.ti.com/mcu-plus-sdk/esd/AM263X/08_03_00_23/exports/docs/api_guide_am263x/EXAMPLES_EMPTY.html

This automatically configures into dual core mode.

(3) FORCE CONFIGURING INTO LOCKSTEP OR DUAL CORE MODE (THROUGH CCS GEL)

• If you want to force configure a project to work in dual core mode through CCS, then you can do it through the gel files. 
• GEL File: ccs\ccs_base\emulation\gel\AM263x\AM263x.gel.
• Here modify "mode = AM263x_Check_supported_mode();" to "mode = 1;" and issue a system reset or power on reset.
• With this change CCS always configures the device in "Dual Core Mode" and all four R5 cores can be used. To revert to Lockstep Mode, undo this change.

Currently, there is no provision for user to configure dual core mode through sbl manually or in the .cfg file. The SBL will switch to Dual core or continue in lock step mode depending on whether App Image loaded by SBL contains the R5 Core 1 image or not.

• If the App Image to be loaded contains the R5 core 1 binary
  • The SBL will configure R5 to switch to Dual Core Mode using SOC_rcmR5ConfigDualCore(cpuId);
  • At the end of SBL flow, The Application image of R5 will start running in the dual core mode.
• If the App Image doesnot contain the R5 core 1 binary
  • The SBL will not configure R5 to switch to Dual core Mode
  • At the end of SBL flow, The Application image of R5 will start running in the lock step mode.

Thanks & Regards

Sri Vidya

Similar Threads you can refer to:

https://e2e.ti.com/support/microcontrollers/arm-based-microcontrollers-group/arm-based-microcontrollers/f/arm-based-microcontrollers-forum/1118671/am2634-how-to-enable-r5f0-0-r5f0-1-with-qspi-boot-mode/4162533?tisearch=e2e-sitesearch&keymatch=%252520user%25253A525185#4162533

https://e2e.ti.com/support/microcontrollers/arm-based-microcontrollers-group/arm-based-microcontrollers/f/arm-based-microcontrollers-forum/1100702/am2634-how-to-use-the-128-kb-tcm-in-lockstep-mode

Thank you so much Sri Vidya.

Regards,

Sharmili Narayanamurthy