Linux ARM64 Command-Line Flasher for S32K118

[adithyan007]

We are using the S32K118 EVB and need to program the S32K118 MCU from an ARM64-based processor running Linux .

Is there any command-line flashing tool available for Linux ARM64 that supports flashing the S32K118 (for example over UART or anyother interface)?

If no official tool is available, are there any recommended open-source or reference implementations that can be cross-compiled for ARM64?

[adithyan007]

Hi Lukas,

Thanks for the explanation.

To clarify my requirement:
I have an ARM64 Linux based system (CLI only, no GUI) that is connected to an S32K118. As part of our firmware upgrade flow, I need to flash/program the S32K118 directly from this ARM64 Linux host.

Specifically:

- I need a command-line flashing tool that can run on ARM64 Linux.

- The host tool should talk over a physical interface (e.g., UART, ) to the S32K118

- I do not need a GUI tool — only CLI.

Can you confirm:

Does NXP provide any official command-line flashing tool that supports ARM64 Linux?

If not, is there an NXP-endorsed or reference implementation that can be built and used on ARM64 Linux?

If no official solutions exist, what is the recommended supported workflow for CLI-based flashing from an ARM64 Linux host?

[lukaszadrapa]

No, there's no such tool. We provide only mentioned application notes which can be used as a starting point to develop own solution. Customers have quite different requirements for communication between host and S32K MCU, so it's up to users to develop appropriate communication protocol.
Regards,
Lukas

[lukaszadrapa]

Hi @adithyan007 

I’m not aware of such tool for ARM64-based processors. And it’s not clear to me – are you looking for a tool working with a SWD probe or just for an application working with a bootloader running on MCU?

Because there’s no in-built bootloader on S32K1 devices, it’s either necessary to use SWD interface to load a code or it’s necessary to load a bootloader via SWD interface in first step and then you can use the bootloader to load other applications.

We provide following resources for bootloaders for S32K1 devices:

Application note “S32K1xx Firmware updates” discussing A/B swap and using CAN:

https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/application-note/AN12323.pdf

https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/application-note-software/AN12323SW.zip

Application note “S32K1xx Bootloader” using UART:

https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/application-note/AN12218.pdf

https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/application-note-software/AN12218SW.zip

We have demo of UDS bootloader for S12Z, S32K1xx and S32K344:

https://community.nxp.com/t5/S32K-Knowledge-Base/Unified-bootloader-Demo/ta-p/1423099

Notice that this is unofficial demo only provided AS IS with no guarantees and no support, it’s not production code. It uses CAN and LIN.

If you are looking for production code, there are some third parties which provide flash bootloaders like:

https://www.vector.com/int/en/products/products-a-z/embedded-components/flash-bootloader/

Regards,

Lukas

[Robin_Shen]

Hi

Please note that during the Christmas holiday period, our support response times may be longer than usual. In some cases, your request might be addressed after the New Year. Thank you for your understanding.

Best Regards,
Robin