NOR Boot - Linux + MQX

[bfac]

Hello!

We are evaluating the possibility of using a Flash SPI memory to boot the whole system on our product, we understand the memory size would be a limitation, but as our product will not have any display and sound we think it should fit a small NOR memory.

We think to boot the whole system from the NOR, so we should have u-boot, kernel, rootfs and mqx images on the memory, at a first analysis it looks feasible, but I wonder if this is already implemented.

The question then is:

Is the boot over SPI NOR already implemented for u-boot?

Our master core is the A5, it should boot the u-boot from NOR, and then u-boot should unpack, store and start M4 core with MQX image on internal RAM. Linux would follow regular u-boot steps to boot from DDR, rootfs should also be on DDR.

Thanks!

Bruno

[vladimirkhusain · Accepted solution]

Yes, this is possible to do. In fact, your configuration appears to be very close to a boot scenario descibed in Chapter 6 of this document:

http://www.emcraft.com/docs/VF6-SOM-skg-1.11.0.pdf

Boot is from a Spansion QSPI Flash device. Target platform is the Emcraft Sstems VF6 System-On-Module Starter Kit:

Vybrid VF6 SOM

[bfac]

Thanks Vladimir!

What Linux BSP you are using? The timesys one?

[vladimirkhusain]

Not timesys. We (Emcraft) maintain our own BSP. It is available for free download from our web site so fell free to check the QSPI Flash boot code in U-boot.