Can we update uboot image over OTA update on IMX8MP board

[Jyo]

Hello Team,

I am currently working on the firmware upgrade procedure and would like to include a provision for updating U-Boot as well.

As per NXP’s documentation:
The NXP BootROM always boots from a fixed offset (imx-boot).
Therefore, BootROM cannot switch between multiple imx-boot images (e.g., imx-boot_a and imx-boot_b) based on a flag.

To address this limitation, I am planning to move the U-Boot image to the boot partition, leaving only the minimal SPL code inside imx-boot. The SPL would then load the appropriate U-Boot image from the selected partition.

I am currently reviewing the mkimage code to understand how U-Boot is packaged into imx-boot, but I haven’t found a clear explanation so far.

Could you please confirm if this approach is feasible with the current architecture?
Alternatively, is there any other recommended way to update U-Boot as part of a firmware upgrade (e.g., OTA)?

Thanks
Jyo

[Jyo]

Hi @joanxie 

Thanks for your response.

My main objective is to support U-Boot updates via OTA using a dual-partition scheme.
For this, U-Boot would need to reside at a separate offset, and the SPL should be able to select which firmware image (U-Boot_A or U-Boot_B) to update.
Could you please confirm if it’s possible for the SPL to jump to a different offset, either U-Boot_A or U-Boot_B

[joanxie]

the imx8mp supports Secondary Image Boot, but this isn't the same application as you mentioned, for more detailed information, you can refer to the chapter 13.2 How to create an image for Secondary Boot of enclosed file, refer to the chapter 4.3 i.MX series chips have a secondary boot for two copied bootloader, but a bootloader upgrade is still not
recommended. 

[joanxie]

the enclosed AN should give you more useful information, pls refer to that