Facing issues with HSE Firmware on nxp s32k312

[Anitha7]

We are using the NXP S32K312 MCU and currently facing issues with the HSE firmware:

1.The HSE status register value appears corrupted (0x4038C107).

2.Unable to access HSE APIs due to this status corruption.

3.Attempts to erase or reflash the HSE firmware have failed.

4.Writing to MU0_TR1 register or memory to trigger erase/reset commands does not work.

5.Observed multiple software resets during a single external reset when debugger is connected.

Request for Assistance:

1.Could you please provide the correct and recommended procedure to erase and reflash the HSE firmware on the S32K312?

2.If reflashing the HSE firmware is not possible due to the current corrupted state, what steps can be taken to recover the HSE or resolve the status register corruption?

3.Any known issues or workarounds for the multiple resets observed during hard reset with debugger attached?
4.How can I resolve the corrupted HSE status register issue and regain access to the HSE APIs?

Process we followed HSE firmware flashing.
step 1:We flashed the provided PINK file without IVT along with the demo application and the secure boot application ELF files.
step2:Reset done
Step3:Observed ?? marks at HSE locations 0x005d4000 and DCM registers
Step4: We reflashed our bootloader at address 0x00400000 and the application at address 0x00442000
Step5:When performing a hard reset with the debugger connected, we observed multiple resets triggered from the software side, despite issuing only a single external reset command

 Please find Screenshots for reference

@lukaszadrapa Please help me to resolve these issues

[lukaszadrapa]

Hi @Anitha7 

This seems to be the key point:

"step 1:We flashed the provided PINK file without IVT along with the demo application and the secure boot application ELF files."

Installation method via "default application NVM location" (no pointer to the pink file is defined in IVT) works only when there's no valid IVT in the flash. If you loaded the pink file to 0x400000 and some other applications with valid IVT to the flash, HSE firmware will not be installed. 

According to your screenshots, HSE feature flag at 0x1B00_0000 has been already programmed because area at 0x5D_4000 is reserved for HSE firmware. Easiest solution - erase whole flash (including data flash) and load only the pink file at 0x40_0000. Reset the device and HSE firmware will be installed. 

Then you can check HSE GRP register at 0x4039_C028. If bit 0 is set, HSE firmware is installed. 

Regards,

Lukas

[Anitha7]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
I am currently unable to erase the HSE firmware. I attempted the method suggested previously—writing 0x57 into RAM and using the TR[1] mechanism—but it did not succeed in erasing the memory. Additionally, the HSE firmware APIs are not responding or functioning as expected. I am facing HSE firmware reinstallation issue.

Could you please provide an alternative or updated method to forcefully erase or reset the HSE firmware?

[Anitha7]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
I am currently unable to erase the HSE firmware. I attempted the method suggested previously—writing 0x57 into RAM and using the TR[1] mechanism—but it did not succeed in erasing the memory. Additionally, the HSE firmware APIs are not responding or functioning as expected. I am facing HSE firmware reinstallation issue as shown in figure.

Could you please provide an alternative or updated method to forcefully erase or reset the HSE firmware?

How to download HSE Firmware Reference Manual

[lukaszadrapa]

The HSE firmware reference manual can be downloaded from this page from Documentation -> Secure files section:

https://www.nxp.com/products/S32K3#documentation

If it is not visible for your, it may be necessary to request the access rights:

https://www.nxp.com/support/support/secure-access-rights:SEC-ACCESS

Based on content of MU FSR register (0x4038C107), the HSE firmware is not present. That means you cannot run any HSE services. As I wrote in my first response, check HSE GPR register at 0x4039_C028. If bit 0 is cleared, there's no HSE firmware installed. 

There are three methods how to install the firmware - by default location, via IVT or via MU. All of them are described in the HSE firmware reference manual. 

Regards,

Lukas

[Anitha7]

Hi,

I attempted to reinstall the HSE firmware on a new hardware platform. Initially, the HSE status register shows the bit '0' (indicating the presence of HSE firmware) correctly set. However, after performing a functional reset, this bit is cleared, and I am no longer able to access the HSE firmware — even though the memory allocated for it appears to be intact.

Could you please clarify the expected behavior of the HSE status register after a functional reset? Additionally, what are the recommended reset handling steps to ensure the HSE firmware remains accessible post-reset?

[lukaszadrapa · Accepted solution]

Well, this is not supposed to happen. I have a couple of questions:
What is version of your SBAF? You can read it at 0x4039_C020. Description can be found in Table 141 in HSE FW reference manual rev. 2.5.
Which version of HSE FW did you installed? And was that AB_SWAP or FULL_MEM version?
Which installation method did you use? Is there any application loaded in the flash? If so, how are the clocks configured?

And notice that once HSE feature flag in UTEST is programmed, corresponding area in flash for HSE firmware is removed from memory map permanently. If HSE firmware is erased, this area won't be accessible again. The same is valid when AB_SWAP version is installed - in this case, there are two areas reserved for HSE firmware, one in active block, one in passive block. When AB_SWAP is installed, HSE OTA flag is programmed in UTEST, so both areas will be reserved for HSE firmware forever.