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AM2432: GPMC NOR Flash application questions

Oseok Kwon
Prodigy 10 points
Part Number: AM2432


Tool/software:

Hi, i want to use AM2432 and bootloader and applications in the NOR FLASH with GPMC interface.

i understood that when i use GPMC for NOR flash, XIP is not supported, so i would run code in the ram.

It is under review for development of mass productions. 

in this situations, my questions are like below.

1. when i copy the code from nor flash to ram, What library and functions should i use?

2. I need to implement In Application Programming(IAP).

    when i write the nor flash in the code running from ram, what library and functions should i use?

3. i will implement sbl gpmc nor flash at the flash memory 0x0000 0000 and application image will be located flash address of 0x1000_0000 or elsewhere.

    i want 'CCS debug target action' write the application IMG to the NOR flash 0x1000_0000 address. and CCS can debug it. (flash write to 0x1000 0000, debug in the ram)

   what setting should i need for this? i want CCS does not touch the bootloader area in the nor flash and just write the application code in the flash 0x1000 0000 and could debug it.

   FYI, when my application run in standalone, SBL will copy the code from flash(0x1000 0000) to RAM, and jump to it.

4. We will use hardware fault injection test in the GPMC NOR Flash data & address line before MASS product. in datasheet CRC check and SECDED is applied in AM2432

  Do I need to set up something to use this feature?

I always use internal flash MCUs and external Flash type is my first time.

It s a little tricky. help me and I will waiting for your answers. Thanks.

  • 0
    TI__Guru 50707 points

    Hello,

    I am looking at your queries and you may expect reply in one or two days .

    Regards,

    Anil.

  • 0 in reply to Swargam Anil
    Prodigy 10 points

    Hi Anil is there any progress on this questions? thanks.

  • 0 in reply to Oseok Kwon
    TI__Guru 50707 points

    Hello ,

    Oseok we don't support the GPMC SBL in AM243X devices.

    But, if you look at the other SOCs like AM62X devices, we do support the GPMC SBL support.

    The SBL always reads an application from external Flash memory (NOR) and will put in the MSRAM or DDR memory.

    Do you have any requirements the Boot completion time ?

    The GPMC devices are slow devices. You may get low performance results.

    Why don't you go with the OSPI NOR flash method rather than GPMC ?

    And one more thing, the CCS does not support writing any application images on the external memory.

    It simply takes an application image file (.out) file and puts it into the MSRAM and DDR memory based on the Linker file.

    And, the CRC  validation checking user need to enable the ECC method for Memories .

    Regards,

    Anil.

  • 0 in reply to Swargam Anil
    Prodigy 10 points

    Do you have any requirements the Boot completion time ?

       -> No requirements. but, under 1sec will be ok

    The GPMC devices are slow devices. You may get low performance results.

       -> Our application size is under 1mb. So, we will copy all source code from external flash to the MSRAM(2mb) and run in the MSRAM. 

    Why don't you go with the OSPI NOR flash method rather than GPMC ?

       -> we need to use QSPI for another usage. and AM2432 has only 1 OSPI/QSPI so we are trying to use GPMC flash interface for code.

    Let me tell you more about our situation.

    We are using TI hercules mcu to our MASS production. But we have performance issues calculating math functions like sin,cos,tan .. etc.

    So we are checking AM2432. 800Mhz will be much better than 330Mhz.

    Swargam Anil said:
    The SBL always reads an application from external Flash memory (NOR) and will put in the MSRAM or DDR memory.

    I want to know more detail about your upper comment. In the technical reference manual, we can use GPMC NOR boot like under images. 

    You said GPMC SBL is not supported, but the document says boot from GPMC flash  can be done.

    Could you tell me a bit more on what you mean? I know there is no GPMC NOR Flash examples in the MCU+ sdk,

    I think that, If possible, I tried to create a custom GPMC flash SBL by modifying the sbl examples using the functions provided by ti.

    So, i asked you under questions. and i want to know is it possible or not.

    Oseok Kwon said:

    1. when i copy the code from nor flash to ram, What library and functions should i use?

    2. I need to implement In Application Programming(IAP).

        when i write the nor flash in the code running from ram, what library and functions should i use?

    And more questions about boot from GPMC NOR flash.

    if i place the complied .RPRC data in the flash from 0x0000 0000 to its size, AM2432 automatically fetch the code to the MSRAM at the startup. right?

    I need to use dual-core. So, what if i make and place the multi-core image(like under image) to the flash address 0x0000 0000. AM2432 automatically copy the code to the MSRAM, and 2 cores automatically run from its base address?  As far as i understand, i need to enable each cores in SBL. This part is a little confusing. And i think i'm not fully understand about this. 

    My last questions is how can i write nor flash from AM2432 GPMC interfaces. We need two methods.

    One is for manufacturing(JTAG or Uart type one click flash write) and the other is In Application Programming(When running, get the code pieces from uart and copy to MSRAM and finally write the NOR Flash).

    Actually, the reason i have asked several questions so far is to handle these two things.

    Thank you. Anil.

  • 0 in reply to Oseok Kwon
    TI__Guru 54358 points

    Hi,

    The subject matter expert is out of office today. Responses to this thread will be delayed.

    Thanks for your patience.

    Regards,

    Tushar

  • +1 in reply to Tushar Thakur
    TI__Guru 50707 points

    Hello ,

    The GMCP NOR or NAND is supported at the SOC level.

    But, this is not supported on the Software side as TI does not validate these  boot modes.

    I am routing your queries to SBL expert to comment on how to proceed further.

    To my knowledge, even if we don't support these boot modes, we do support this feature in the AM62X devices.

    So, in this case, you can take these projects and continue to validate them at your side on AM243X devices , but TI does not help here.

    Regards,

    Anil.

  • 0 in reply to Swargam Anil
    Prodigy 10 points

    It seems like it would be risky to use GPMC NOR or NAND flash interface.

    I will check another interface AM243x. 

    i'm closing this issue. but please let me know if there are some comments from SBL experts 

    Swargam Anil said:
    I am routing your queries to SBL expert to comment on how to proceed further.

    Thank you so much.