S32k344-WB Boot Mode entry methods

[ganavi1]

How to entry to the system boot mode since we need to flash the device via UART , I2C  ...

whether flashing user code Via UART it is supported or not ? 

so it is supported means what is  the entry method and also pin configuration ?

Device info : SCH-47478 REV C2

[lukaszadrapa]

Hi @ganavi1 

S32K3 devices support only internal boot mode from flash. External boot mode is not supported. Such feature was available on older automotive devices like MPC5xxx (UART or CAN boot mode) but it’s not supported by S32K3 devices.

That means the only option is to use a bootloader.

Let me summarize what we have:

We have very basic OTA demo “SW32K3_OTADEMO_0.8.0_D2203” for S32K344 - it shows how to write new application to passive block and then request AB SWAP (this is a feature of HSE firmware). RTD 1.0.0 is used in this demo.

Next more advanced demo is “S32K396 OTA Demo version 0.4.0” which shows how to update firmware via ethernet. This one uses RTD 3.0.0 P07.

Both demos can be found in S32K3 Reference Software:

https://www.nxp.com/webapp/swlicensing/sso/downloadSoftware.sp?catid=SW32K3-REFSW-D

Click on the link and then search for “Automotive SW - S32K3 - OTA Demo”.

These are the only versions we have, it’s only reference software, it’s up to users to migrate it to other derivatives or to newer RTD packages.

Then we have Unified bootloader:

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

This is unofficial demo only shared on the community, provided AS IS with no guarantees and no support. It’s not production code. Notice that this bootloader does not use HSE firmware - it does not take advantage of AB Swap feature. There are examples for S32K312/314/324/344.

If you are looking for production code, take a look at third parties like:

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

Regards,

Lukas

[ganavi1]

There is no hardware method to enter into boot mode for the boot S32K344-WB 

[lukaszadrapa]

No, S32K3 always boots from internal flash from predefined location in given priority. See S32K3 reference manual, tables 196, 198 and 199 (it depends if HSE firmware is installed and which HSE firmware version is installed), item "IVT locations in priority order". 

SBAF searches the location in given order and if it finds valid IVT, it will boot from that IVT. 

There's nothing what you could configure externally. 

[ganavi1]

I am working with the S32K344 MCU and trying to implement firmware update using OTA.

Currently I am studying the following examples:

• S32K344_HSE_OTA

• Unified Bootloader demo

• S32K344_CAN_Bootloader_RTD200

However, I am confused about the following points:

1. Which example should be used as the base project for implementing OTA firmware update?

2. Does the Unified Bootloader support OTA update over CAN or Ethernet?

3. In the HSE_OTA example, the OTA update seems to be simulated using internal flash. Is there any example where firmware is actually received from CAN or Ethernet?

4. If I want to implement OTA update with security (HSE enabled), what is the recommended architecture for S32K344?

5. Is there any reference design or documentation available for secure OTA firmware update using HSE?

My development environment:

• MCU: S32K344

• Board: S32K344-wb

• Toolchain: S32 Design Studio

• RTD version: 4.0.0

Any guidance or recommended documentation would be very helpful

[lukaszadrapa]

OTA demos from mentioned “Automotive SW - S32K3 - OTA Demo” reference software are the closest option.

Yes, “SW32K3_OTADEMO_0.8.0_D2203” uses only binary file in flash for evaluation.

“S32K396 OTA Demo version 0.4.0” is more advanced demo, new firmware is loaded via ethernet.

Unified bootloader does not use HSE, so it’s pure SW implementation, no HSE AB swap is used. It uses CAN only for S32K3 devices.

And we have following OTA trainings:

https://www.nxp.com/design/design-center/training/TIP-CONNECTS2021-AUT428

https://www.nxp.com/design/design-center/training/TIP-NXP-AUT-T3955A

Both can be found in Training section on S32K3 page: https://www.nxp.com/products/S32K3

[ganavi1]

Is there any user manual or documentation available for the S32K344-WB that explains how to update the firmware via Ethernet?
Also, are there any example codes or reference implementations provided for this functionality?
It would be helpful to know if NXP provides application notes or SDK support for Ethernet-based firmware updates.
Additionally, please let me know the recommended approach or tools for implementing this feature.