Debug Console for iMX8M

[riteshpatel]

Hi,

I am planning to use iMX8M processor in my project. As per the existing NXP EVK, there are two separate debug console ports UART1 for Core-A53 & UART2 for Core-M4. 

Can we use a single UART1 interface as a debug console port to get the debug prints on single UART?

Thanks.

[igorpadykov]

Hi Ritesh

in general yes, however seems code modifications will be needed

for applications which use m4 console, like rpmsg or SDK_EVK-MIMX8MQ codes.

May be helpful to check linux documentation on

i.MX Software|NXP 

Best regards
igor
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[riteshpatel]

Thanks Igor,

Appreciate your quick response here.

Is there any possibility of changes in dts at linux kernel level or u-boot level changes in config file to configure the M4 console debug prints to uart1.

We have tried to find out in linux docs for this but don't get anything so If possible then can you please point out some file which we can take as a reference to update and verify.

At last, it should look like UART1 : Cortex A53 and M4

UART2 : for application use.

Thanks,

Ritesh

[igorpadykov]

Hi Ritesh

m4 does not run linux/uboot and its console does not use dts settings,

for debug console in SDK_EVK-MIMX8MQ one can check for definitions:
#define BOARD_DEBUG_UART_BASEADDR UART2_BASE
...
void BOARD_InitDebugConsole(void)
{
    uint32_t uartClkSrcFreq = BOARD_DEBUG_UART_CLK_FREQ;
    CLOCK_EnableClock(kCLOCK_Uart2);
    DbgConsole_Init(BOARD_DEBUG_UART_BASEADDR, BOARD_DEBUG_UART_BAUDRATE, DEBUG_CONSOLE_DEVICE_TYPE_IUART, uartClkSrcFreq);

}

Best regards
igor

[riteshpatel]

Hi Igor,

Thanks a lot for the pointers.

Sorry for not clearing the operating system info in the initial stage.

In our case, we are planning to use the Linux o/s and not the freertos or any other rtos.

Based on your input, Cortex-M4 will be used in case of the rtos/freeRTOS. There is no use of cortex-M4 when we use the Linux os and cortex-A53 will be used.

Is my understanding correct?

If my understanding is correct then what you have suggested is the changes needs to be done when any rtos or bare metal os is used. Is my understanding correct ?

Thanks,

Ritesh

[igorpadykov]

Hi Ritesh

yes my answer was for m4 with rtos or bare metal, as

nxp does not support linux on m4.

Best regards
igor

[riteshpatel]

Thanks Igor,

Appreciate your quick response here.

The default console are Uart1 for A53 & Uart2 for M4, correct?

So do you see any M4 debug print on Uart2 console during bootup and before code modifications for use in application?

I want to make sure no debug print to application peripheral before console change using code modification.

Thanks,

Ritesh.