How to generate ivt_flashloader.bin for IMXRT?

[jackking]

I am trying to generate a custom flashloader using the flashloader example from the SDK.  This generates the full flashloader.bin.   I see in MfGTool and the docs that it uses the special ivt_flashloader.bin which only has the image vector table.

How can I generate this ivt_flashloader.bin  using the SDK example?

[jeremyzhou]

Hi Jack King,

Thank you for your interest in NXP Semiconductor products and for the opportunity to serve you.
ivt_flashloader.bin file is the Flashloader released to support image programming in the development phase, it's a boot image which includes the IVT.
Please refer to the 4.2. Generate unsigned normal i.MX MCU bootable image in the attachment to generate the ivt_flashloader.bin.

Have a great day,
TIC

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[jackking · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the reply.  I am trying to do a complete build of flashloader from source.  Maybe if I outline the steps here it will help clarify the process.

• Download MCUXpresso SDK (2.5.0 at this time)
• In MCUXpresso IDE (10.3.1) import the SDK example for flashloader
• For testing, I am just trying to build the flashloader example as-is.
• In order to generate the .srec output, modify the post-build steps under C/C++ Build -> Settings.  Refer to: https://mcuoneclipse.com/2017/03/29/mcuxpresso-ide-s-record-intel-hex-and-binary-files/
• Build the project, it is not configured for XIP (no XIP directives)
• Collect the flashloader.srec file and dcd.bin file for SDRAM found here: https://community.nxp.com/docs/DOC-340655
• Download the Flashloader rev 1.1 distribution from here: Flashloader
• Place the generated flashloader.srec and dcd.bin files into the flashloader directory for the elftosb tool (.\Flashloader_RT1050_1.1\Tools\elftosb\win)
• Create a bd file (or use the provided bd file imx-dtcm-unsigned.bd in the bd_file directory)
  • I did need to set the sources section to elfFile = extern(0)  not srecFile = extern(0)
  • The contents of my bd file are:

  • options {
        flags = 0x00;
        startAddress = 0x20000000;
        ivtOffset = 0x400;
        initialLoadSize = 0x20000;
        DCDFilePath = "dcd.bin";
    }
    
    sources {
        elfFile = extern(0);
    }
    
    section (0)
    {
    }‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

• Execute the command to generate the .bin file with dcd.bin and bd_file for dtcm, unsigned:

  • C:\elftosb\win> elftosb.exe -f imx -V -c my-dtcm-unsigned.bd -o ivt_flashloader.bin flashloader.srec‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍
           Section: 0x0
    iMX bootable image generated successfully‍‍‍‍‍‍

• FYI: Executing the elftosb command, if you just get output that states "Section: 0x0"  and there is no message stating the image is generated, then something didn't work right and the generated ivt_flashloader.bin file is zero bytes in length.
• Now you should see a generated ivt_flashloader.bin and ivt_flashloader_nopadding.bin in the same directory
• Success! Now you should be able to use the boot image in MFGtool or Jay Heng's NXP-MCUBootUtility

I also used this post for reference: https://community.nxp.com/docs/DOC-341317

[markus2]

Hi Jack King,

I am trying to get the MfgTool2.exe working with i.MXRT1015 (it works for me on 1020). I downloaded the SDK 2.5 for i.MXRT1015 and followed all your steps in order to build the ivt_flashloader.bin.

The prob is ivt_flashloader.bin ends up being 2125 KB in size (the earlier one working with the 1020 had only 59KB) and in the MfgTool2.exe logfile I get:

ModuleID[2] LevelID[10]: ExecuteCommand--Boot[WndIndex:0], File is C:\Users\Development\Downloads\Flashloader_RT1020_1.0_GA\Flashloader_RT1020_1.0_GA\Tools\mfgtools-rel\Profiles\MXRT102X\OS Firmware\ivt_flashloader.bin
ModuleID[2] LevelID[1]: WriteReg(): Invalid write ack: 0x23238904

ModuleID[2] LevelID[1]: WriteReg(): Invalid write ack: 0x23238904

ModuleID[2] LevelID[1]: RunPlugIn(): TransData(0x20000000, 0x213800,0x0) failed.
ModuleID[2] LevelID[1]: PortMgrDlg(0)--MxHidDevice--Command Boot excute failed
ModuleID[2] LevelID[10]: CmdOperation[0], current command executed failed, so SetEvent(hDevCanDeleteEvent)

The tool says: "Boot" body="BootStrap" error, file="C:\Users\Development\Downloads\Flashloader_RT1020_1.0_GA\Flashloader_RT1020_1.0_GA\Tools\mfgtools-rel\Profiles\MXRT102X\OS Firmware\ivt_flashloader.bin"

Any idea what's going wrong?

Thanks alot,

Markus

[jeremyzhou]

Hi Jack King,

Thanks for your reply.
The flashloader should be executed in DTCM, however, the imx-flexspinor-normal-unsigned.bd is used to generate a boot image which boots from the QSPI. Obviously, it's not right to do that.
Please use the imx-dtcm-unsigned.bd file, so gives a try.
Have a great day,
TIC

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[jackking]

Thanks, that helps.  After changing to DTCM unsigned, I am able to generate the boot image.  I will amend my previous post with the correct command.