TMS570LS3137: on-chip flash memory read with Flash ECC enabled

Kalyan Vagvala61

Expert 1075 points

Part Number: TMS570LS3137

Hello,

We are using below tools to flash our image on TMS570LS3137 microcontroller:

XDS200 USB emulator

CCS version 8.0.0

And the generated .out file is about 300KB of size. when .out file is loaded on to flash bank 0 using emulator,

Case1:

i can see data in memory browser in bank zero till binary data is available (this is with flash ECC enable using function "_coreEnableFlashEcc_") if i try to access flash memory where binay data is not available i am seeing "Target fail to read 0x-------" in expression window.

Case 2:

with Flash ECC not enabled (commented "_coreEnableFlashEcc_" function call in startup code), i am able to access all flash locations. when i try to access flash memory where binary data is not available i am seeing as "0xFFFFFFFF" in expression window.

Can anyone please help why this is happening?

and is there any way to access flash memory where data is not available and with flash ECC enabled?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Kalyan

over 7 years ago

0 Sunil Oak over 7 years ago

TI__Mastermind 49120 points

Kalyan,

Are you erasing the entire flash memory before programming your code? If so, then you can use the "vfill" directive to the linker to allow it to generate correct ECC values for even the locations in flash memory that are not occupied by your program. This is the cause of the errors you are seeing.

See this thread for more details: e2e.ti.com/.../2569327

Regards,
Sunil

0 Kalyan Vagvala61 over 7 years ago in reply to Sunil Oak

Expert 1075 points

Thanks Sunil for your quick response.

Will check this and get back to you.

Regards,
Kalyan

0 Kalyan Vagvala61 over 7 years ago in reply to Kalyan Vagvala61

Expert 1075 points

Hi Sunil,

i modified my cmd file by adding vfill directive, but still the flash locations which are not occupied with program data are showing as "??????" and in expression window i am seeing as "Target failed to read 0x0018000 (example memory location)". But when i use fill directive no such issues.

Thanks,
Kalyan

0 Sunil Oak over 7 years ago in reply to Kalyan Vagvala61

TI__Mastermind 49120 points

Hi Kalyan,

Does your linker command file define the entire available flash memory as part of the program memory even if you use only 300KB?

Regards,
Sunil

0 Kalyan Vagvala61 over 7 years ago in reply to Sunil Oak

Expert 1075 points

Hi Sunil,

Yes, linker file defines whole flash memory as part of program memory.

Thanks,

Kalyan

0 Sunil Oak over 7 years ago in reply to Kalyan Vagvala61

TI__Mastermind 49120 points

Hi Kalyan,

When connected to the part with the debugger, open the "On Chip Flash " properties by Tools -> On-Chip Flash". Confirm that "Auto ECC Generation" box is checked.

Sunil

0 Kalyan Vagvala61 over 7 years ago in reply to Sunil Oak

Expert 1075 points

Hi Sunil,

Yes, "Auto ECC Generation" check box is checked.

Thanks
Kalyan

0 Sunil Oak over 7 years ago in reply to Kalyan Vagvala61

TI__Mastermind 49120 points

Hi Kalyan,

There is also another option in the "On-Chip Flash" configuration that allows you to erase only the part of the flash that is required for your application. Please check to make sure that you are erasing the entire flash memory. This is necessary in order to use the vfill correctly.

Regards,
Sunil

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TMS570LS3137: on-chip flash memory read with Flash ECC enabled