AWR1243: Programming Serial Data Flash by using Flash Programmer

Hi Cesar-san,

Thank you for your reply.

I have known that the "out2rprc.exe" can be used to create the binary files for xWR14xx and xWR16xx, and that it is in the following path of the mmWave SDK.

C:\ti\mmwave_sdk_01_01_00_02\packages\scripts\ImageCreator\

Can the "out2rprc.exe" create the binary image for AWR1243 and convert to an hex format such as ASCII-hex, Intel, Motorola-S, Tektronix?

If not so, how is it achieved to program by using a Flash Programmer?

RADARSS (BSS) Image and MasterSS (MSS) Image must be placed into a flash memory by using a Flash Programmer as follows:

AWR1243 Bootloader Flow
http://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra561/swra561.pdf
2.2.1 File Placement in SDF (Page 7)

Can the binary data in RPRC image files be placed directly into predefined location in flash memory?

C:\ti\mmwave_sdk_01_01_00_02\packages\scripts\ImageCreator\xwr16xx\Image_Creator_User_Guide.pdf

Can the pre-build files included in the mmWave Device Firmware Package (DFP) be used in the case of programing by Flash Programmer?

C:\ti\mmwave_dfp_00_09_01_06\firmware\masterss\xwr12xx_masterss.bin
C:\ti\mmwave_dfp_00_09_01_06\firmware\radarss\xwr12xx_xwr14xx_radarss.bin

Best regards,

Daisuke

Hi Cesar-san,

Daisuke Maeda said:

Can the binary data in RPRC image files be placed directly into predefined location in flash memory?

Daisuke Maeda said:

Can the pre-build files included in the mmWave Device Firmware Package (DFP) be used in the case of programing by Flash Programmer?

Is it correct to place all the continuous data in each binary file sequentially from top of the start offset address in flash memory?

Please give me an answer as soon as possible. Your prompt reply would be appreciated.

Best regards,

Daisuke

Hi Cesar-san,

Please give me an answer to my previous post.

The reason why it is required to program a flash memory directly is as I mentioned in my first post.

Daisuke Maeda said:

Our customer wants to program a flash before mounting it to the board in production process.

Please give me an answer as soon as possible. Your prompt reply would be appreciated.

Best regards,

Daisuke

Hi Kaushal-san,

Thank you for your reply.

I have known that usually Uniflash/Bootloader is used to download the firmware files. The data flow for programming the external flash in this case is as follows.

 [Uniflash/Bootloader] -> {UART(RS232)/SPI} -> [AW1243] -> {QSPI} -> [External Flash]

Our customer wants to use an other programmer. The data flow for programming the external flash in this case is as follows.

 [Other programmer] -> {QSPI} -> [External Flash]

Is it correct to write the 3 files at the offsets by an other programmer?

Our customer is concerned that the data is added or modified by AW1243 in the case of using Uniflash/Bootloader.

Best regards,

Daisuke

Hi Kaushal-san,

Thank you for your reply.

Kaushal Kukkar said:

Please note that Serial Flash is optional in AWR1243 device and is expected for development purpose only. In production AWR1243 device, it will reside in ROM of AWR1243. Firmware patches can be loaded using SPI.

I found the same explanation for Flash and its programming in Table 4-1 of datasheet (SWRS188).

"This option is for development/debug in preproduction phase. Can be disabled by firmware pin mux setting."

I also found the description to load firmware using SPI.

AWR1243 Bootloader Flow
http://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra561/swra561.pdf
Figure 4. Execution Mode of Bootloader (image load over SPI) (Page 4)

Best regards,

Daisuke

Hi Kaushal-san,

I have an additional question.

Kaushal Kukkar said:

Please note that Serial Flash is optional in AWR1243 device and is expected for development purpose only. In production AWR1243 device, it will reside in ROM of AWR1243. Firmware patches can be loaded using SPI.

Why is Serial Flash expected for development purpose only?

If Serial Flash is used in production, is there any problem?

Best regards,

Daisuke

Hi Kaushal-san,

Sorry many times.

Please give me an answer to my previous post.

Daisuke Maeda said:

Why is Serial Flash expected for development purpose only?

If Serial Flash is used in production, is there any problem?

To make the boot time as short as possible, our customer wants to use the flash boot instead of the SPI boot.

QSPI is setup to operate at 18 MHz in the flash boot. It is equivalent to 72 MHz since four data pins are used. On the other hand, SPI operates at most 40 MHz.

AWR1243 Bootloader Flow
http://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra561/swra561.pdf
2.2.2 Image Load Sequence (page 8)

Best regards,

Daisuke

Hi Kaushal-san,

Sorry many times.

Please give me an answer as soon as possible. Your prompt reply would be appreciated.

Daisuke Maeda said:

Why is Serial Flash expected for development purpose only?

If Serial Flash is used in production, is there any problem?

Our customer wants to use the flash boot instead of the SPI boot for shorter boot time but is concerned that the flash boot has any problems.

Best regards,

Daisuke

Hi Kaushal-san,

Thank you for your reply.

I understand that the Serial Flash (QSPI) can be used in production without any problems.

I have an additional question about what AWR1243 device can also work without SFlash.

Kaushal Kukkar said:

In production AWR1243 device, it will reside in ROM of AWR1243. Firmware patches can be loaded using SPI.

What is the ROM of AWR1243? Does it mean "Built-in Firmware (ROM)" in the datasheet (SWRS188)?

If the firmware on the external SFlash can be replaced the Built-in Firmware (ROM), only the firmware patches can be loaded using SPI in production.

How can our customers write the Built-in Firmware (ROM)? Is it done by TI before AWR1243 is shipped from TI?

Best regards,

Daisuke

Hi Kaushal-san,

Thank you for your reply.

Kaushal Kukkar said:

 Firmware is programmed in ROM by TI before shipping.

I will contact my local TI representative how to proceed with it.

Best regards,

Daisuke