CC3220S: Query on "FLASH SPI" interface of CC3220

Hi Team,

Thank you for your answer.

Now I am able to load .bin file into ex-flash using uniflash tool and CC3220 is running the same after a power cycle.

We are designing a device (based on CC3220) that store external sensor's data(more than one and different types) at each minute.

At each hour device needs to upload that data to the server that is a basic idea of our application.

we want to write/read another application-specific information(sensor's data) from/to a particular location of external flash during runtime.    

we don't want to use filesystem for data storing.

1) Can we use SPI(that is connected to sFlash) run time?

2) After loading application code to RAM, will cc3220 use sFlash interface(SPI) for another purpose during runtime?

   if yes then, how can I manage clash if application use the same SPI for data storing? 

 3) Please provide necessary information for reading/writing external flash at a particular location during runtime.

Hi,

TI does supports direct access (reading/writing data) into SFlash from application MCU. For writing user data into sFlash you need to use filesystem API. Although may to be possible have direct access into sFlash, your will need this research/development by your own, because this feature is not supported by TI. I think is should be technically possible, but I have not tested this at CC3220 device. I only know that this is possible at 1st gen devices (CC3200).

Personally I not recommended store with 1 min interval into sFlash by filesystem API (SPI flash chips MX25R3235F have guaranteed 100k write/cycles into one cell). If you need you can keep you sensor data temporary inside RAM or save into external storage with higher guaranteed write cycles (e.g. EEPROM, FRAM).

Answers to your questions:

1) Can we use SPI(that is connected to sFlash) run time?

You should to use filesystem API. In case of Wifi coprocessor (NWP) is enabled, you haven not available this SPI for your access from application MCU.

2) After loading application code to RAM, will cc3220 use sFlash interface(SPI) for another purpose during runtime?

Yes. NWP store into flash many own data like a configuration, temporary files, etc. sFlash is intended as storage for NWP. If you need to infrequently save small quantity of data you can use filesystem API which uses NWP to store your data.

 3) Please provide necessary information for reading/writing external flash at a particular location during runtime.

You should to use sl_ filesystem API.

BTW ... I am not a TI employee but a developer from a independent 3rd party company.

Jan

what is the maximun size of sFLASH is supported by CC3220S.

as per swra515.pdf  section, 8.2 table 8-1 filesystem supports max 16MB (mega BYTE).

Does it also applicable to CC3220S??

Hi,

Max size of sFlash for CC3220S is 16MB (=128Mbit). This is same for all CC3220 and CC3235 devices.

Jan

Hi  Jan

Can you please share validated memory part number for  more than 4MB? 

which support CC3220S

Hi,

Unfortunately I don't know exact part numbers of SPI flash which was validated with CC3220 (exception parts stated at SWRA515). If you need this part numbers, you can wait for a answer from a TI side.

I thinks that 64Mbit flash MX25R6435F should work fine.

Jan