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Original question:

AM2431: Getting started with a Multi-Core Application (1 Main R5F core and 1support M4F core)

AM2431: How do I flash an R5 project and an M4 project to AM2431 without wiping

Jacob Howard
Prodigy 150 points
Part Number: AM2431
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: UNIFLASH,

Tool/software:

Hi,

I have created a multicore project with a multicore payload that can be flashed into the AM2431. When flashed through UniFlash, it correctly flashes to the correct cores.

My question is, am I able to flash the M4 file and the R5 file separately or do I have to used the combined file? Trying to flash separately currently wipes the other file out.

Furthermore, am I only able to flash these files through UniFlash or are their other ways of flashing these files onto the board/processor (Like xmodem within tera-term application)?

  • 0
    TI__Guru* 77904 points

    SBL (Secondary Boot Loader) will flash pick one single appimage (Application Image) which can be a combination of multiple ELF images which can run on multiple cores.

    So you can have an appimage comprising of firmwares for R5F and M4 which the SBL loads. The SBL will pick the single appimage, split it based on the header information, load the two firmware on to the respective memory locations, set the entry point for the R5F and M4, release reset. This will run the respective firmware on to both these cores.

    Regards

    Karan

  • 0 in reply to Karan Saxena
    Prodigy 150 points

    Hi,

    That did not completely answer my questions.

    I understand that I can flash the "combined" appimage and that the SBL will parse everything. 
    My first question was, would I be able to only flash R5 code (or singular program) without wiping everything else. For example, if part of my program, like code from the R5 core, has changed, but the M4 core has not, would I be able to load just the R5 code changes without overwritting the M4 code? 

    Basically, instead of the whole combined appimage, would I be able to load the R5 appimage first and then the M4 image second? 


    My next question was, what are other ways to flash to the processor other than UniFlash? I noticed UniFlash uses XModem. I was wondering what the process is with flashing. Would I be able to use another program like Tera-Term with XModem to send over the file? Would I be able to write an appimage that is already flashed to the board, that when it hits a certain "Programing mode", allows us to send files to flash/overwrite?

  • +1 in reply to Jacob Howard
    TI__Mastermind 47096 points

    Hi Jacob,

    Thanks for your patience.

    Jacob Howard said:
    Would I be able to use another program like Tera-Term with XModem to send over the file?

    Yes you can do so, but this is not currently supported by TI.

    Jacob Howard said:
    Basically, instead of the whole combined appimage, would I be able to load the R5 appimage first and then the M4 image second? 

    I think yes this is possible. So for an instance, you can check the below attached image.

    Jacob Howard said:
    My next question was, what are other ways to flash to the processor other than UniFlash?

    Other ways apart from this is DFU flashing: https://software-dl.ti.com/mcu-plus-sdk/esd/AM243X/10_00_00_20/exports/docs/api_guide_am243x/GETTING_STARTED_FLASH_DFU.html

    Regards,

    Vaibhav