1.1 UART Bootloader

The UART bootloader Library can be used to upgrade firmware on a target device without the need for an external programmer or debugger.

Features

  • Supported on CORTEX-M and MIPS based MCUs, and MPUs

  • Uses Harmony 3 UART PLIB to communicate resulting in smaller bootloader size

  • Supports Fail Safe update for the devices which have a Dual Bank flash memory

  • Takes Binary File as input

  • Uses command line host script to receive binary from Host PC

Running From SRAM (For CORTEX-M Devices)

  • Supports simultaneous Flash memory write and reception of the next block of data, Achieved by loading bootloader into flash and running from SRAM

  • Has capability to self update as it is running from SRAM

bootloader_ram_layout

  • At reset the bootloader Reset handler copies the entire bootloader firmware into SRAM from Start location and start executing from SRAM

  • Once the application is called from bootloader, applications startup code takes control over SRAM and starts executing

UART Bootloader Block Diagram

uart_bootloader_block_diagram

  • Input Task:

    • This task is responsible for receiving data from Host-PC through the UART communication interface

    • The task keeps polling for data to be received when bootloader is in idle mode

    • The task also validates the incoming packet from host with expected header information

    • Once the packet reception is completed it gives control to Command Task

  • Command Task:

    • This task processes the commands received from Input Task and provides response back to host accordingly

    • If the command received is a Data command it gives control to the Flash Task

  • Flash Task:

    • This task is responsible to program the internal flash memory with data packet received

    • The task uses the NVM peripheral library to perform the Unlock/Erase/Write Operations

    • The task also invokes Input Task in parallel to receive next packet while waiting for the flash operation to complete for CORTEX-M based MCUs

MPU UART Bootloader

  • MPU UART bootloader performs the following functions:

    • It loads the harmony application from SD/eMMC/NAND/Serial Flash memory to the DDR memory and executes it

    • It receives new harmony application image and writes it to SD/eMMC/NAND/Serial Flash memory

mpu_uart_bootloader_block_diagram

  • Input Task:

    • This task is responsible for receiving data from Host-PC through the UART communication interface

    • The task keeps polling for data to be received when bootloader is in idle mode

    • The task also validates the incoming packet from host with expected header information

    • Once the packet reception is completed it gives control to Command Task

  • Command Task:

    • This task processes the commands received from Input Task and provides response back to host accordingly

    • If the command received is a Data command it gives control to the Programming Task

  • Programming Task:

    • This task is responsible to program the SD/eMMC/NAND/Serial Flash memory with data packet received

    • The task uses the following System service or Driver to perform the Unlock/Erase/Write/Read Operations

      • MPU UART bootloader with SD/eMMC media uses SYS_FS (FAT-FS) API to perform the Write/Read Operations

      • MPU UART bootloader with NAND Flash media uses NAND Flash Driver API to perform the Unlock/Erase/Write/Read Operations

      • MPU UART bootloader with Serial Flash media uses FLASH Driver (e.g. SST26 Driver) API to perform the Unlock/Erase/Write/Read Operations