topic KL03Z32 -- how the ROM boot loader know the user application is valid or not in Kinetis Microcontrollers

KL03Z32 -- how the ROM boot loader know the user application is valid or not

felixtsai — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 01:17:58 GMT

Hi, I am using KL03Z32 for our project. In Figure 11-2 in the Reference Manual (KL03 Sub-Family Reference Manual, Rev. 4, August, 2014), there is a judgement that "Is user application valid?". I would like to understand how the ROM boot loader know the user application is valid or not. It would be appreciated if someone can share the answer or give me a hint.

Re: KL03Z32 -- how the ROM boot loader know the user application is valid or not

Jorge_Gonzalez — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 02:01:12 GMT

Hello Felix Tsai:

Please check the response in the next thread:

Re: how application got valid

If you have any doubt just let me know.

Regards!,
Jorge Gonzalez

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Re: KL03Z32 -- how the ROM boot loader know the user application is valid or not

felixtsai — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 03:01:51 GMT

Hi Jorge,

Thanks for your reply. The thread you hinted is not the answer to my question. I have to implement the failsafe mechanism when the firmware update fails due to unstable power, such as the power is unintentionally unplugged when firmware update is in progress. From the reference manual, I understood how to make KL03Z32 boot from ROM bootloader when power on resets. But no information about how the ROM boot loader know the user application is valid or not, so that I cannot understand if Timeout detection is enabled or not. If I know how bootloader code check the user application is valid or not, I can control bootloader code to disable Timeout detection and stay in ROM bootloader, i.e. not jump to the corrupted user application in the flash memory.

Felix.

Re: KL03Z32 -- how the ROM boot loader know the user application is valid or not

joeygouly — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 14:25:13 GMT

You should reserve an area of memory that the boot loader clears on start, and fills with a specific pattern on successful completion. I can't think of a good way to actually ensure the validity of the firmware otherwise.