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Simplest way to flash a MAC Address on fresh TM4C1294 custom board?

Jas Laferriere
Prodigy 80 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: EK-TM4C1294XL, LMFLASHPROGRAMMER

So I designed a custom board using the TM4C1294XL design as a starting point.

My understanding of the situation was that given a brand new TM4C1294 chip, the flash would be clear and therefore the bootloader would launch from which I could flash my program via ethernet. I tested this with my TM4C1294XL board by erasing the flash using LMFlash and then using LMFlash to flash my program and it all worked. The program is written to have a means of accessing the bootloader if software updates need be made. In other words, I was planning on doing all program flashing via ethernet.

Now my concern is that I've read that a fresh TM4C1294 chip does not have a MAC address. Does this mean that it will not be able to acquire an IP via DHCP and I won't be able to flash it the first time?

If that's the case, what are the minimal amount of connections I need to add to my board design to be able to give the chip a MAC address such that all can work as I intended? Can I use my TM4C1294XL eval board's ICDI circuit to flash my custom board? Is that even the best way?

Any insight on the matter is appreciated.

  • 0
    TI__Guru**** 244400 points
    Hello Jas

    Yes, without a MAC address and IP cannot be acquired.

    The MAC address is not allocated by TI. We have a bunch of MAC address that we get allotted from IEEE.

    For a customer designing an Ethernet based product, they need a similar bunch of MAC address's allotted. The next task is to program them to the USERREG0 and USERREG1 so that the BOOTP in ROM Ethernet boot loader can use. Also since the BOOTP is a boot protocol, it still needs an IP address so that the network router/swtich can route the image to the device.

    A simpler way of doing the same would be to flash the application image along with the MAC and then use the same on the n/w for firmware upgrades. You may use the ICDI from the EK-TM4C1294XL to flash the MAC address and first application code to the device. To be able to so, first remove the 0Ohm resistors (R8, R10, R11, R15, R16), and tap the JTAG+Reset from the right side header pins to your custom board.

    Regards
    Amit
  • 0 in reply to Amit Ashara
    Prodigy 80 points

    Is there a guide or document that describes the connections and process required to program USERREG0 and USERREG1? Those are registers correct? Are they non-volatile then?

  • 0 in reply to Jas Laferriere
    TI__Guru**** 244400 points

    Hello Jas,

    When using the LMFlashProgrammer the format is as shown in the image below. Do note that the "Commit MAC Address" check box must be set. Only then will it become non-volatile. Also in case it needs to be changed again and made non volatile, an unlock operation must be performed

    Regards

    Amit