S32G-VNP-EVB3 Unable to load from SD Card

[SriramVenkat]

Hi,

We had bought an EVB3 board on which the S32G399A SoC is used. We're trying to boot up the board from the SD card. We've checked the hardware settings, like jumpers, and they are placed as such by default for SD cards.

Firstly, SDP710_BSP_UG_NXP_S32G_EVB_20210913.pdf by referring to this document. Done the following steps,

1. I downloaded the Linux BSP and built it. On that, I generated a. sdcard file.
2. Prepared a bootable SD card.
3. Transferred the Dtb & .sdcard file to SD card.

After this we're trying to put the SD card on the board and check the console. Nothing is booting.

My intention is to ensure that the virgin board, after the assembly stage, is booting up and to see some logs over the serial console.

Awaiting for your response/reply. Thanks.!

[Daniel-Aguirre]

Hi,

How are you setting your EVB3? On top of the PLATEVB or standalone? We can recommend looking into the EVB3 quick start guide on regards of the power supply configuration [Page 4]:

S32G-VNP-EVB3 Quick Start Guide (nxp.com)

As for booting from SD card, we understand that you are loading a Linux BSP, which BSP version are you using?

Also, which *.sdcard file are you using?

We also understand that there is no need of transferring any *.dtb file, since the *.sdcard should have all the required information. But this might depend on your BSP version. 

On regards of the switches, can you let us know in which boot mode are you setting your EVB3? We can read that the RCON are set for SD interface, but we would like to understand if the chip is set to boot from that interface.

Please, let us know.

[SriramVenkat]

Hi Daniel,

We're setting up EVB3 on top of PLATEVB. We've followed the procedures mentioned in the QSG for the power supply configuration. I was able to see the LED indicators in both the cases.

The BSP version used is: 39.0-2022.04.

The SD card file used is: fsl-image-base-s32g399aevb3-20240216091623.rootfs.sdcard

The boot mode was set as mentioned in the user guide for EVB3, Boot from RCON (S32G-VNP-EVB3 is set to SD boot mode by default). 

BMODE0 = 1 and BMODE1 = 0. This was used. Followed as per application note AN12422.

And the BOOT_CFG1 settings for the external memory selector pin. Here, SD Boot is set in the DIP switch of BOOT_CFG1.

BOOT_CFG2 & BOOT_CFG3 are left unused.

I hope all the queries are clarified. If you have any others, please let me know. Thank you.!

[Daniel-Aguirre]

Hi,

Thanks for your feedback. With this, you mention you are not seeing information going through UART0 (J58), is this correct?

Is D13 toggling or not (near J58)? If so, which color (green, red or both)?

Can you confirm in which position is J50?

Have you ensured that under the heatsink there is an S32G399 chip? This since commonly EVB3 does not come with a chip pre-installed. If so, have you use the following socket structure?:

chip > plastic washer/square > metal plate > heat-sink base (plate with a screw hole) > heatsink

We have an EVB3 available and we are not seeing any problems with BSP39.0, as shown below:

Please, let us know.

[SriramVenkat]

Hi Daniel,

Yes, we can't see it on UART0 (J58). Also, we tried connecting on UART1 (J179). There was also no response. That is the problem we're facing, and we're not able to confirm that the board is up/working.

The D13 LED is not toggling. Initially, when we connect to the PC, we can see RED. After that, no toggle is happening. If we press anything on the keyboard, we can see GREEN glowing minimally.

J50 is connected to pin 1-2: Enables SD (default).

Yeah, we are aware of that S32G399A chip ordered separately. And this chip has been placed by following the S32G-PROCEVB-S socket and heatsink - User Guide.

[Daniel-Aguirre · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Thanks for your feedback. Are you able to take a photo in which we are able to see the switches configuration? Just for a sanity check from our side.

As for the LED, it seems that the cable is working properly, since it is sending information.

Also, can you help us confirm that there is nothing below the S32G399 chip? We had a situation in which the plastic washer was left under the chip and similar behavior happened. Can you confirm that you can see all the pads under the socket and that there is not a plastic in between the socket and the chip? There is a protection plastic that has holes in it, but the holes should reach up-to the socket walls.

How much pressure have you applied to the heatsink?

Please, let us know.

[SriramVenkat]

Hi Daniel,

Yes, you are right. When we were examining the socket, we were able to see the plastic washer (which appears to be a black square frame in the corners) of the socket wall was present.

We removed and placed the chip in the socket and when we're booted via SD card, we are able to see the UART console running with A53 Core_0.

Thanks for the reply.