AM2434: Initial programming of QSPI NOR Flash options

Mathias Felix

Part Number: AM2434

Hi,

We started product development with an AM2434 and are using custom electronics from our development partner. The board has an SD card that we currently use for the NULL SBL.
In the next step, we will switch to our own development board, which will no longer have an SD card. Apart from direct access via a flash programmer, what options are there for copying a bootable image/SBL to the external QSPI flash?

Is this possible with JTAG, as with a simple MCU with integrated flash?
If it is possible with JTAG, which adapter is required? We are currently using XDS200 debug adapters. Are there any advantages (higher speed) with an XDS560?
What are the requirements regarding the flash (command set, timing, etc.)?
Is there a description of the workflow for how this is done?

Thanks and best regards,
Mathias

4 days ago

0 Meet Thakar 4 days ago

TI__Genius 16610 points

Hi Mathias,

You can check these flashing utilities supported by MCU+SDK: https://software-dl.ti.com/mcu-plus-sdk/esd/AM243X/11_02_00_24/exports/docs/api_guide_am243x/TOOLS_FLASH.html

Best Regards,
Meet.

0 Vaibhav Kumar 3 days ago

TI__Guru 52063 points

Hi,

Meanwhile you check for the tools, could you share the QSPI Flash Part number which the customer is planning to use on their custom DUT?

Regards,

Vaibhav

0 Mathias Felix 2 days ago in reply to Meet Thakar

Prodigy 172 points

Hi Meet,

Thank you for the link. As far as I understand the process, accessing the external QSPI flash is possible in case the device can be booted in DEV mode, right? And is it possible to just load a NUL SBL into the first flash section without application or XIP image?

In the SDK example an older CCS is used. Is the process the same with CCS 20.x?

Best regards,
Mathias

0 Mathias Felix 2 days ago in reply to Vaibhav Kumar

Prodigy 172 points

Hi Vaibhav,

We plan to use one of the following flash devices:

IS25WJ064
GD25LQ64E
W25Q64JW

They're all 64Mbit / 1.8V types and according to our own HW dev team compatible with the AM2434. Do you have any concerns?

Best regards,
Mathias

0 Vaibhav Kumar 2 days ago in reply to Mathias Felix

TI__Guru 52063 points

Hi Mathia,

I have the configurations of Winbond and the ISSI Flash which you mentioned. These can be tried on your custom DUT.

Let me know which one you would like to go ahead with, I can then share the configurations accordingly.

For you to test the configurations out, I would like you to create another E2E stating the flash part number and the configurations required.

Looking forward to your response.

Thanks,

Vaibhav

0 Meet Thakar 2 days ago in reply to Mathias Felix

TI__Genius 16610 points

Mathias Felix said:
Thank you for the link. As far as I understand the process, accessing the external QSPI flash is possible in case the device can be booted in DEV mode, right? And is it possible to just load a NUL SBL into the first flash section without application or XIP image?

This is correct, and yes you can just load SBL NULL if you don't want to load any application.

Mathias Felix said:
In the SDK example an older CCS is used. Is the process the same with CCS 20.x?

The process differs a bit for newer CCS versions, for initializing the SoC, LoadJSFiIe command is no longer supported in CCS 20.x versions, instead of this you should directly load sciclient_ccs_init.release.out from CCS in the DEV boot mode, also refer to this for a change in flashing procedure: [FAQ] AM64/AM243: Facing an issue with CCS when trying to flash an image using SBL JTAG UNIFLASH

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AM2434: Initial programming of QSPI NOR Flash options