AWR6843: MMwave diag SBL not working as expected: when i use Backup Meta Image address for downloading and booting new Image from there

Hey Madhusudhan,

How are you downloading the appimage to the backup meta image address? If you are using UniFlash, please verify under Settings & Utilities -> Format that Format SFLASH Memory during flash file download is disabled and then attempt to reflash the meta image and then SBL.

Regards,

Kristien

No i'm not using the UNIFlash for downloading the backup Image. I'm downloding via the SBL through UART

#define SBL_BACKUP_IMAGE_OFFSET             0x00180000U

retVal = SBL_imageFlasher(qspiFlashHandle, (flashAddr + (uint32_t)SBL_BACKUP_IMAGE_OFFSET));

if(retVal != 0)
{
SBL_printf("\r\nError: Could not download the image to Flash. Resetting the board to retry\r\n");

/* Reset the MSS core */
SOC_softReset(gSblMCB.socHandle, &retVal);
}
}

retVal = SBL_imageLoader(qspiFlashHandle, (flashAddr + (uint32_t)SBL_BACKUP_IMAGE_OFFSET));
if(retVal != 0)
{
SBL_printf("\r\nError: Could not download the metaimage to RAM. Trying to boot the backup factory default image.\r\n");
SBL_printf("\r\nDebug: Loading backup factory default image from Flash address: %x\r\n",(flashAddr + (uint32_t)SBL_BACKUP_IMAGE_OFFSET));

/* Error loading image. Fall back to factory default image */
retVal = SBL_imageLoader(qspiFlashHandle, (flashAddr + (uint32_t)SBL_BACKUP_IMAGE_OFFSET));
if(retVal != 0)
{
SBL_printf("\r\nError: Could not download the backup factory default image metaimage to RAM. Resetting the board to retry\r\n");

/* Reset the MSS core */
SOC_softReset(gSblMCB.socHandle, &retVal);
}
}

Hey Madhusudhan,

Understood, I will need a day or two to look into this. For now, I would recommend looking over the IWR6843 Bootloader Flow Application Note to learn more about the device bootloader flow and how this compares to the SBL flow.

Regards,

Kristien

Until i get a response from you regarding the issue, will try to understand the document you've suggested let you know if i could figure out the solution. Thanks 

Sounds good!

Regards,

Kristien

Hello Kristien, 

                 I went through the mentioned document. However i couldn't find the underlying issue, Please let me know if were able to understand the possible situation for the addressed issue. Thanks 

Hey Madhusudhan,

I am looking into this on behalf of Kristien. I will get back to you on Tuesday but I have a few questions for you:

1. Why are you downloading this image to a different offset to the default image offset? Is it because you have multiple images that you are using?
2. What version of the SDK are you using? Please try and use 3.6.2.0 as that is the latest.

Best,

Vignesh K.

Hello Vignesh Kondapally, 

                        Yes i want to keep the multiple images on the firmware so i'm trying to use a different offset. 
I'm currently using 3_06_00_00 SDK. i will also try with the mentioned SDK and let you the results. Thanks 
i just have a question because when i change the offset for downloading appImage is it by any chance affecting the interrupt vector table so its not booting from the SBL is my doubt. Can you please provide me some insights for the same, Thanks 

Hey Madhusudhan,

This wont affect the interrupt vector table. Just for a sanity check, can you confirm that you are trying to load into the SBL by sending a UART character in the first 20 seconds of the SBL command prompt. I have a few more questions for you to understand your issue fully. 

1. What SBL project are you using, is it the CAN SBL from the Radar Toolbox? 

2. What partitions of SFLASH are you flashing the other images that you have loaded?

3. What happens if you do a NRESET instead of PMIC reset?

4. Are you using an EVM? If not, what SFLASH part are you using instead? - Please refer to this link which shows which supported SFLASHs.

Best,

Vignesh K.

Hi Vignesh Kondapally, 

              Yes i'm sending a UART character in first 20 seconds of SBL command prompt. 
I'm using C:\ti\radar_toolbox_1_20_00_11\source\ti\examples\diagnostic_monitor_ref\ti\utils diag_SBL from the Radar tool box 1_20_00_11 
I'm using the defined partitions given in the code Meta_image_offset and Backup_meta_image_offset. 
Backup_Image_offset address is 0x00180000U 
Meta Image offset address is (512U * 1024U)
when i do reset it will start running the application instead of SBL 
Using the EVM, Thanks 

Hey Madhusudhan, 

I will get back to you in a few days after researching and looking into the issue a little deeper. I will let you know if I have any additional questions. Thank you for your cooperation and patience. 

Best,

Vignesh K.

Hey Madhusudhan,

Could you try re-flashing meta image 1 and the application into meta image 2 using UNIFLASH and reporting whether you are still observing the same issue when you are resetting. Thank you.

Best,

Vignesh K.

Hello Vignesh, 

Tried to Flash using the teraterm. Still facing the same issue. Thanks 

Hi Madhusudhan,

Do you have the SBL on meta image 1 and your applications in the next images? Could you also please try doing this through UNIFLASH? I understand it may not be accurate to the partitions you want to do but I am curious if it will work through UNIFLASH, because then we can narrow down the problem more.

Best,

Vignesh K.

Hello Vignesh, 

            I tried to Flash SBL on meta Image 1 and application on the meta Image 4. i dont see SBL or Application being booted after that. here i have shared the screenshots below. Thanks 

Hi Madhusudhan,

I apologize for the late reply. This is happening after you power cycle and change the mode to functional, is this correct? If it is saying that the flash was successful and you are not seeing any changes on your device I suggest the following:

1. Turn off format SFLASH

2. Try to flash only the SBL image in the first image 

3. Power cycle the device

4. Try to flash only the application image

5. Power cycle the device again and see if you recognize any changes.

Let me know what happens, I really hope this resolves your issue!

Best,

Vignesh K.

Hello Vignesh, 

       Like you mentioned i have turned off the SFLASH and loaded SBL alone initially on meta Image 1. i did turn off and on the device. Later , i Flashed the application from the metaImage selection 4. Now changed the device from Flash mode to Functional Mode. However no changes were observed. SBL was not booting up. i see blank screen on teraterm as before. Thanks 

Hi Madhusudhan,

I apologize for not being able to narrow down on this issue and if that has caused any frustration. I will need to consult someone else on my team for this issue as I have already suggested everything that I can think of. Please allow me a few days to look further into it, thank you for your patience.

Best,

Vignesh K.

Hi Madhusudhan,

Could you try your example using UNIFLASH again but while trying to flash all your required images at once. So with the SBL image in Meta image 1 and the demo in image 4. Let me know if this fixes any issues.

Thank you for your patience.

Best,

Vignesh K.