GPMC Parallel NOR boot using BeagleBone Black

ARM arm

Hi Biser,

Can I do GPMC XIP parallel NOR boot using Beagle Bone by using the expansion headers of the beagle bone and making my own custom board for NOR / OTP Flash and check it. In that case I will not have to spend on ICE V2 which has parallel NOR Flash and I just want to test that feature. There after I can build up my hardware design based on BBB.

Biser, what do you think can be the probable issues which I can face in doing this as most of the header signals are shared on BBB?

Your response will be highly valuable.

over 10 years ago

0 Biser Gatchev-XID over 10 years ago

TI__Guru**** 393215 points

The ICE board does is not supported by the Linux SDK, so if you want to run Linux I wouldn't recommend it. The best choice for your case would be a Beaglebone White board, but I don't know if these can still be found. You can check here: http://beagleboard.org/bone

0 ARM arm over 10 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Expert 2630 points

I want to use starterware for this project, in that case can i go with beaglebone black and parallel NOR booting using Expansion Header?

I have a beagle bone black with me...

0 ARM arm over 10 years ago in reply to ARM arm

Expert 2630 points

I want to boot using a 16 bit Muxed XIP booting with configuration of XIP_MUX1 or XIP_MUX2 using Expansion Header of BBB.

0 ARM arm over 10 years ago in reply to ARM arm

Expert 2630 points

My worry area is hardware aspects more ...

0 Biser Gatchev-XID over 10 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

TI__Guru**** 393215 points

As I pointed out above:

Biser Gatchev-XID said:
The best choice for your case would be a Beaglebone White board, but I don't know if these can still be found. You can check here: http://beagleboard.org/bone

Beaglebone Black has other devices connected to the pins you need and it will be much harder for you to get a working system. Please be aware that in all cases using Beaglebones it will be necessary to resolder SYSBOOT resistors to get your required boot order.

0 ARM arm over 10 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Expert 2630 points

Hi Biser,

Apart from BGA, we have full in-house assembly unit so soldering and de-soldering is no issue for us.

Do you envisage any BGA component removal such as mmc chip etc. or fanout trouble or track impedance issue on those lines? Do i need to erase mmcNand Flash in this case?

BBW I will need to purchase again and is twice costlier than BBB...

Regards.

0 Biser Gatchev-XID over 10 years ago in reply to ARM arm

TI__Guru**** 393215 points

If you will use BBB the cleanest way would be to remove the eMMC. Whether it's erased will not matter in this case.

0 ARM arm over 10 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Expert 2630 points

Hi Biser,

Now I understand why you have advised regarding BBW because removal of eMMC is scary considering its position etc with plastic connectors on side.

Please tell me as to why this removal is important? And whether there is some other work around you can suggest?

After your final reply I will take a call ....

Thanks friend...

0 Biser Gatchev-XID over 10 years ago in reply to ARM arm

TI__Guru**** 393215 points

MOHIT HADA said:
Please tell me as to why this removal is important? And whether there is some other work around you can suggest?

Because it's stepping on most of the GPMC signals you will need at boot time. I don't see any workaround for what you need. BBB HW documentation can be found here: http://elinux.org/Beagleboard:BeagleBoneBlack#Hardware_Files

0 ARM arm over 10 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Expert 2630 points

Hi Biser,

I discussed the same with BBB community Gerald Coley. He says that once we set the SYSBOOT and Reset the eMMC, we can use GPMC configuration safely on BBB.

I was about to buy BB White with NOR cape but now I think I can give a try to this. This is an update. Kindly comment if you have your apprehensions still in this.

Thanks for the patience.

Regards.

0 Biser Gatchev-XID over 10 years ago in reply to ARM arm

TI__Guru**** 393215 points

Well, Gerald is the authority on BBB. Just note that eMMC reset is performed from a GPIO and you don't have control on that until after boot. You will still need to modify the board so as to reset the eMMC BEFORE the processor has started booting, i.e. tie the reset line directly to the level you need to hold the eMMC in reset immediately upon power-up.

0 ARM arm over 10 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Expert 2630 points

Thanks biser. This is exactly what I wanted to confirm and you have done it without asking.

Regards.

0 ARM arm over 10 years ago in reply to ARM arm

Expert 2630 points

Hi Biser,

This is w.r.t to the above post you had replied where we are trying to interface parallel NOR flashes with BBB using Expander Header.

I have attached the schematic with this email where we will directly interface with BBB w/o any memory expander card in between like the NOR cape that gets interfaced with BB White. We want to boot using U2 [parallel NOR Flash - XIP Interface, AD Muxed, 16 bit using CSn0] and check the content of U3 [ parallel NOR Flash - XIP Interface, AD Muxed, 16 bit using CSn1]. Once the content of U3 is tested, the actual application code will be executed from U3. Now we have three queries for which we request your kind reply:-

1) Is the schematic going on correct lines so that we could fabricate the PCB and test?

2) NOR cape that interfaces with BB White has an on-board EEPROM. Is it at all required as BBB has one for board identification?

3) What is the method by which we can flash / program these NOR Flashes on board? Is there some application note for it?

We want to use starterware for our project.

BBB_NOR_INTERFACE.pdf

0 Biser Gatchev-XID over 10 years ago in reply to ARM arm

TI__Guru**** 393215 points

MOHIT HADA said:
1) Is the schematic going on correct lines so that we could fabricate the PCB and test?

Sorry, we don't do schematic reviews on this forum. This is a separate process and can be requested through a TI representative for a complete project.

MOHIT HADA said:
2) NOR cape that interfaces with BB White has an on-board EEPROM. Is it at all required as BBB has one for board identification?

EEPROM is not required for your purpose.

MOHIT HADA said:
3) What is the method by which we can flash / program these NOR Flashes on board? Is there some application note for it? We want to use starterware for our project.

Starterware is supported on a dedicated forum: https://e2e.ti.com/support/embedded/starterware/f/790 Please ask there.

0 ARM arm over 10 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Expert 2630 points

Thanks Biser. EEPROM was the important thing. Rest we will take care.

Regards

0 ARM arm over 10 years ago in reply to Biser Gatchev-XID

Expert 2630 points

Hi Biser,

When I have tried to explore this option, I have found that hardware reset of eMMC is not possible unless I do not configure eMMC for using the RST_n pin. In that case after I boot, I ahve to configure eMMC for using its reset pins, then this whole thing seems confusing.

If I want to boot using GPMC interface, how can i boot and configure eMMC for using its reset interface?

Please reply on it.

Regards.

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GPMC Parallel NOR boot using BeagleBone Black