5.4 In-Flight Reprogramming using IAP or Auto Update

Auto-update and IAP programming uses the device SPI port configured in SPI Master mode. Programming data is retrieved from an attached SPI Flash device to reprogram the RT PolarFire device.

RT PolarFire devices verify the FPGA fabric and sNVM content while programming the device. If there is exposure to SEUs during this process, enabling a mis-programmed fabric has a low probability, but it is possible. For this reason, we recommend using the RTPF500ZT device if IAP or auto-update is desired. If the RT PolarFire device is configured for system controller suspend mode, the IAP programming capability is disabled and unavailable. In RT PolarFire devices, the system controller suspend mode is enabled, by default.

RTPF500ZT devices have an improved IAP and auto-update algorithms to further reduce the possibility of a mis-programmed device due to SEUs. RTPF500ZT devices verify programming data content during programming, but then subsequently executes a standalone verification and digest check on the device to assure the device is correctly programmed prior to enabling the device for operation. If any of the post programming checks fail, the programming sequence retries as described in Auto Update and IAP. RTPF500ZT devices have an enhanced capability to allow temporary exit from system controller suspend mode making all system services, including IAP, available to the user until the device is forced back into system controller suspend mode.