Flashing Kernel and Root File System using RedBoot Creating an image A kernel image and a root file system can be created using All Boards LTIB or compiling the kernel and setting the correct set of files. Create a root file system image from a set of files converting the files to a jffs2 file system. For this, install the package mtd-tools. In Ubuntu type apt-get install mtd-tools For making an root file system for flash, use the jffs2 file system like: mkfs.jffs2 -r rootfs/ -e 0x20000 -n -p -o rootfs.jffs2 Where rootfs/ is the original set of file for the file system and rootfs.jffs2 is the output image file. Flashing Some connections errors can be avoided by All Boards Configuring RedBoot. The process below uses TFTP to copy the files between host and target. See All Boards TFTP for detail in configurations. Copy the kernel image and the root file system image to the TFTP dir. For example, in  LTIB dir, type sudo cp ./rootfs/boot/zImage /tftpboot sudo cp rootfs.jffs2 /tftpboot/ Where /tftpboot is the dir configured for TFTP The next steps are performed in a Minicom session, and happens on the board. Formatting the flash: fis init Flashing kernel Load kernel image (zImage) using the command below. Remember to modify the host IP address: load -r -b 0x100000 /tftpboot/zImage -h 10.29.244.99 The address 0x100000 is used as a temporary location Create the kernel at the right address (0x200000, for IMX31PDK) fis create -f 0x200000 kernel Flashing root file system Load root file system image (rootfs.jffs2) to the temporary address. Remember to modify the host IP address: load -r -b 0x100000 /tftpboot/rootfs.jffs2 -h 10.29.244.99 Create the root file system in the right address (0x600000, for IMX31PDK. fis create -f 0x600000 root Testing You can now load your kernel in the flash by typing: fis load kernel To know if the root file system written in the flash was correctly saved, execute the NFS file system and mount the flash. For load the the root file system by NFS, type: exec -b 0x100000 -l 0x200000 -c "noinitrd console=ttymxc0,115200 root=/dev/nfs nfsroot=10.29.244.99:/tftpboot/rootfs init=/linuxrc ip=10.29.241.6:10.29.244.99" Wait the system go up, then mount the flash at /mnt. Reminde that the flash has a jffs2 file system. mount -t jffs2 /dev/mtdblock2 /mnt ls /mnt List the /mnt contents. The output must be the right file system. Modifying the initial script Reset the board and press CTRL-C. Type fc to modify the configurations and insert the initialization script. RedBoot> fc Run script at boot: true Boot script: Enter script, terminate with empty line >> fis load kernel >> exec -c "noinitrd console=ttymxc0,115200 root=/dev/mtdblock2 rw rootfstype=jffs2 ip=none" >> Boot script timeout (1000ms resolution): 1 Use BOOTP for network configuration: false Gateway IP address: 10.29.241.254 Local IP address: 10.29.241.6 Local IP address mask: 255.255.254.0 Default server IP address: 10.29.244.99 Board specifics: 0 Console baud rate: 115200 Set eth0 network hardware address [MAC]: false GDB connection port: 9000 Force console for special debug messages: false Network debug at boot time: false Update RedBoot non-volatile configuration - continue (y/n)? y ... Read from 0x07ee0000-0x07eff000 at 0x00080000: . ... Erase from 0x00080000-0x000a0000: . ... Program from 0x07ee0000-0x07f00000 at 0x00080000: . RedBoot> Remember to save the configuration in the flash by typing y Reset the system. To certify that the board is loading the system from flash, remove the ethernet cable.

I was trying to implement an E-Ink solution using IMX7D. Unfortunately I only had a IMXEBOOKDC3 available, not the DC4 shown on the IMX7D E-Ink tutorials. After a couple of tries I found the right way of connecting the expansion board and the the definition of the arguments on U-boot to make the IMX7D and DC3 work together.  I logged these considerations on the blog post below: http://bit.ly/IMX7D_IMXEBOOKDC3   Andres

It is one mandatory patch if you are in the case: The chip you are using is imx6sx TO1.3 and newer, and use the kobs-ng to flash your image to the Nand memory chip. If you are using MFG, you also need rebuild the kobs-ng, and update the binary into your MFG tool.  The patch have been integrated into the default release yocto_4.1.15, but if you are using the older version release before yocto_4.1.15, please make sure you have integrated the modification when you need to use kobs-ng to flash the image to Nand memory chip. commit 5ecf08703da489a3bd317341f630870a3d07dab9 Author: Han Xu <[email protected]> Date:   Thu Jan 28 14:40:14 2016 -0600     MMT-105: change the i.mx6sx revision check change the i.mx6sx revision check since v1.3 uses v1.2 boot config as well.     Signed-off-by: Han Xu <[email protected]>     (cherry picked from commit 1dac0c14d1e2016c2fa804f6628543d8d238c680) diff --git a/src/plat_boot_config.c b/src/plat_boot_config.c index 461675a..e1ef6f3 100644 --- a/src/plat_boot_config.c +++ b/src/plat_boot_config.c @@ -1,5 +1,5 @@ /* -* Copyright (C) 2010-2015 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. All Rights Reserved. +* Copyright (C) 2010-2016 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. All Rights Reserved. */ /* @@ -256,10 +256,12 @@ int discover_boot_rom_version(void)                                         }                                         fgets(line_buffer, sizeof(line_buffer), revision);                                         if (!strncmp(line_buffer, "1.0", strlen("1.0")) || -                                                       !strncmp(line_buffer, "1.1", strlen("1.1"))) +                                                       !strncmp(line_buffer, "1.1", strlen("1.1"))) {                                                 plat_config_data = &mx6sx_boot_config; -                                       if (!strncmp(line_buffer, "1.2", strlen("1.2"))) +                                       /* all other revisions should use the latest boot config */ +                                       } else {                                                 plat_config_data = &mx6sx_to_1_2_boot_config; +                                       }                                 }                                 if (!strncmp(line_buffer, plat_imx6ul, strlen(plat_imx6ul))) How to apply it to older version quickly:  Apply the patch and rebuild the kobs-ng in yocto_3.14_x environment: bitbake -c compile -v -f imx-kobs cd tmp/work/cortexa9hf-vfp-neon-poky-linux-gnueabi/imx-kobs/5.0-r0/imx-kobs-5.0 git apply yocto_3_14_x.patch bitbake -c compile -v -f imx-kobs you can find the new binary “kobs-ng” under “tmp/work/cortexa9hf-vfp-neon-poky-linux-gnueabi/imx-kobs/5.0-r0/build/src” Apply the patch and rebuild the kobs-ng in yocto_3.10_53 environment: . ./setup-environment build bitbake -c compile -v -f imx-kobs cd tmp/work/cortexa9hf-vfp-neon-poky-linux-gnueabi/imx-kobs/3.10.53-1.1.0-r0/imx-kobs-3.10.53-1.1.0 git apply yocto_3_10_53patch bitbake -c compile -v -f imx-kobs you can find t he new binary “kobs-ng” under tmp/work/cortexa9hf-vfp-neon-poky-linux-gnueabi/imx-kobs/3.10.53-1.1.0-r0/imx-kobs-3.10.53-1.1.0/src As one alternation method, you also can download the whole imx-kobs-5.4 package which yocto_4.1.15 is using to build. wget http://www.freescale.com/lgfiles/NMG/MAD/YOCTO//imx-kobs-5.4.tar.gz

Question: LVDS in split mode (dual lvds) is used. In this configuration, only LVDS0_CLK is used. What is the suggestion for the LVDS1_CLK?  The HW user guide says that if this is unused, then to leave it floating.  Would we also suggest the same for this case or would termination be more appropriate?  Or is there some possible way to gate this clock?  (if so, it isn't obvious in the RM) Answer: According to the MX6 Developer's Guide, any unused LVDS pins should be left floating, so the LVDS1_CLK pair, in this case should be left floating. In order to minimize any potential EMC, the lands for those balls should not have any additional traces leading away. To add a bit more information, the customer ran some tests and found that the clock gate bits for the LVDS1 are essentially ignored in Dual mode.  The only way to disable it is if they are both disabled which is not helpful in this case.  It seems that the Dual mode setting overrides the CG.

The Android O8.0.0_1.4.0 for i.MX 7ULP RFP(GA) release is now available on IMX_SW web page. Overview -> BSP Updates and Releases -> Android O8.1.0 for i.MX 7ULP GA.   Files available:   # Name Description 1 android_o8.1.0_1.4.0_7ulp-ga_docs.tar.gz Android O8.1.0_1.4.0 for 7ULP GA Documentation 2 imx-o8.1.0_1.4.0_7ulp-ga.tar.gz i.MX Android proprietary source code for Android O8.1.0_1.4.0_7ULP_GA 3 android_o8.1.0_1.4.0_7ulp-ga_image_7ulpevk.tar.gz Prebuilt images with NXP extended features for the i.MX7ULP EVK board 4 android_o8.1.0_1.4.0_7ulp-ga_tools.tar.gz Manufacturing Toolkit and VivanteVTK for Android O8.1.0_1.4.0_7ULP_GA 5 fsl_aacp_dec_O8.1.0-7ULP_GA.tar.gz AAC Plus Codec for  O8.1.0_1.4.0_7ULP_GA   Target boards: i.MX 7ULP EVK   Features and Known issues For features and known issues, please consult the Release Notes in detail.#

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This is a How-To documentation for OpenCL on i.MX6 using LTIB, there are all necessary steps and sample code to create,  build and run a HelloWorld application.

Many times I came across one issue while using Redlib in MXUXpresso IDE project. I like to provide some guidance here to match the proper solution that can help others. Problem Statement : printf or sprintf doesn't print anything or printing random characters while using Redlib library. Reason : When you are creating your project you may ask to choose the c/c++ library setting to select either of the c libray provided by IDE in Advanced project setting wizard. If you have not checked the option "Redlib: Use floating point version of printf" (which will use the floating-point variant of printf) have tried to print the floating point value, You will end up with the problem mentioned above. Solution : You need to enable the floating support by modifying some preprocessor directives in "Defined symbols (-D)" wizard of your project. Path :  Your Project > properties > C/C++ Build > Setiings > Tool Settings > MCU C Compiler > Preprocessor. These are: PRINTF_FLOAT_ENABLE - keep the directive value to "1" SCANF_FLOAT_ENABLE - keep the directive value to "1" CR_INTEGER_PRINTF - Undefine/Remove this directive Click on Apply and close. That is it. Now you will have your expected prints for floating point values in your debugger console.

Important: If you have any questions or would like to report any issues with the DDR tools or supporting documents please create a support ticket in the i.MX community. Please note that any private messages or direct emails are not monitored and will not receive a response.   This is a detailed programming aid for the registers associated with MMDC initialization. The last sheet formats the register settings for use with ARM RealView ICE. It can also be used with the windows executable for the DDR Stress Test. This programming aid was used for internal NXP validation boards.

logcat Logcat is the most powerful debug tool for Android. Logcat is to Android what the dmesg is to kernel. It shows messages logs from system and applications. logcat can be used directly on board console or via adb. $ logcat directly on board console. It gives the complete log message list and waits for any new log message. $ logcat & board console. It gives log list and run in background. Any new log message will be displayed. # adb logcat Using adb you can get log messages through Ethernet or USB connection. $ logcat -d > logcat.txt it sends log messages to logcat.txt file and exits. $ logcat *:W it filters expression displays all log messages with priority level "warning" and higher, on all tags * * http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/debugging/debugging-log.html

When streaming, if you want to play a streaming URL, it can be inconvenient if the browser cannot recognize the URL as a media stream and downloads the content rather than using Gallery to play it. To create this kind of media streaming, you need to write an apk to use VideoView to play the URL/media stream from the console. Here is the command of how to play a media file or network stream from console. Gingerbread am start -n com.cooliris.media/com.cooliris.media.MovieView -d "<URL>"       The URL can be file position or network stream URL, such as: you can play a local file by: am start -n com.cooliris.media/com.cooliris.media.MovieView -d "/mnt/sdcard/test.mp4" You can also play a http stream by: am start -n com.cooliris.media/com.cooliris.media.MovieView -d "http://v.iask.com/v_play_ipad.php?vid=76710932" Or play a rtsp stream by: am start -n com.cooliris.media/com.cooliris.media.MovieView -d "rtsp://10.0.2.1:554/stream" ICS am start -n com.android.gallery3d/com.android.gallery3d.app.MovieActivity -d "<URL>"        The URL has the same definition of Gingerbread.

This tutorial teaches how to program bootloader on a SD Card using ATK. To program kernel and root file system to the SD card, please follow this i.MX35 PDK Linux Booting SD    ATK (Advanced Toolkit)       ATK (Advanced Toolkit) is a Windows software for programming the flash memory of i.MX boards. It can be downloaded here.     Using ATK       This section will describe the procedure to erase and program the bootloader in the SD Card.       1. Connect a serial cable between PC and i.MX board.       2. Set the switches:       Debug Board: SW9 -> 0         SW10 -> 0         Personality Board: SW1 and SW2 (All bits) -> 0     3. Run ATK going to Start -> Programs -> AdvancedToolKit -> AdvancedToolKit           Set the options:       i.MX CPU -> i.MX35_TO2       Device memory -> DDR2;       Communication Channel -> Serial Port (Usually COM1)     4. Click Flash Tools to erase, program, or dump the the memory and click GO     Erasing     1. To erase SD Card, select the parameters as below: Select MMC/SD as "Flash Model".     Select Erase on "Operation Type". 2. Turn on the board and press Erase.     3. ATK shows a message: "Flash erase successful!" when card is erased   Programming     Next, program the bootloader image into the memory card following the steps below:     1. Select the parameters: The bootloader binary image file can be found into your Board Support Package (click here to download) Select Program on "Operation Type".     Address: 0x00000000     File: "mx35_3stack_redboot_mmc.bin" (or similar name that indicates a MMC/SD image)     2. Press Program.     3. Close ATK, turn off the board and set switches to:     Debug Board: SW9 -> 0       SW10 -> 0 Personality Board: SW2 (Bits 1 and 2) -> 1       SW2 (All other bits) -> 0       SW1 (All bits) -> 0     4. Open Hyper Terminal, set it 115200,N,8 and see RedBoot Prompt.      

  IMX6 SL boot process is described in Chapter 8 (System Boot) of the Reference Manual. Shortly, the loading boot data from boot SD card is performed in two stages : first read IVT, DCD, then read executable code, using the Boot Data Structure.    At first, boot ROM copies 4K byte (containing IVT and DCD ) from sector 0 of the boot SD card to internal buffer in OCRAM, located in reserved area (0x00900000 - 0x00907000). This area must not be used by user application.   Then, “after checking the Image Vector Table header value (0xD1) from Program Image, the ROM code performs a DCD check. After successful DCD extraction, the ROM code extracts from Boot Data Structure the destination pointer and length of image to be copied to RAM device from where code execution occurs”.   The IVT contains field entry - absolute address of the first instruction to execute from the image.   Note : according to Figure 8-3 (Internal ROM and RAM memory map), only OCRAM Free Area (68KB) from 0x00907000 till 0x00918000 may be used by user’s application.   The attachment contains SD-bootable example.

Patch for i.MX6 boards with LPDDR2 using single channel

This white paper is a discussion of random hangs and other issues using Windows Embedded Compact on Freescale i.MX6 application processor and how they were solved. All information in this document applies to Windows Embedded Compact 7 and 2013 as well as all variants of the i.MX6.      

i.MX 6 SoloX MCC MCC is a library for lightweight communication between cores Configured at compile time (mcc_config.h) Current version (2.0) is not backward compatible MCC works with shared memory area Communication is performed through ‘send’ and ‘receive’ functions Shared memory Cores communicate through shared memory Core structures of the MCC  MCC_ENDPOINT core Identifies a processor core, A9 is 0 and M4 is 1. node In Linux, each process using MCC has its own node number. MQX has only one node number. port Any number of ports per node is allowed. Value MCC_RESERVED_PORT_NUMBER is not allowed. The number of endpoints in system is defined during compile time by macro MCC_ATTR_MAX_RECEIVE_ENDPOINTS. MCC_BOOKEEPING_STRUCT Endpoint table I. MCC API  Functions Standard API −int mcc_initialize(MCC_NODE); −int mcc_destroy(MCC_NODE); −int mcc_create_endpoint(MCC_ENDPOINT*, MCC_PORT); −int mcc_destroy_endpoint(MCC_ENDPOINT*); −int mcc_send(MCC_ENDPOINT*, MCC_ENDPOINT*, void*, MCC_MEM_SIZE, unsigned int); −int mcc_recv(MCC_ENDPOINT*, MCC_ENDPOINT*, void*, MCC_MEM_SIZE, MCC_MEM_SIZE*, unsigned int); −int mcc_msgs_available(MCC_ENDPOINT*, unsigned int*); −int mcc_get_info(MCC_NODE, MCC_INFO_STRUCT*); MCC_SEND_RECV_NOCOPY_API_ENABLED −int mcc_get_buffer(void**, MCC_MEM_SIZE*, unsigned int); −int mcc_send_nocopy(MCC_ENDPOINT*, MCC_ENDPOINT*, void*, MCC_MEM_SIZE); −int mcc_recv_nocopy(MCC_ENDPOINT*, MCC_ENDPOINT*, void**, MCC_MEM_SIZE*, unsigned int); −int mcc_free_buffer(void*);

This PDF is training material for showing examples on video encoding, video decoding, video streaming on an i.MX53QSB board.

[中文翻译版] 见附件   原文链接： https://community.nxp.com/docs/DOC-343054