NAND flash usage with SEMC on MIMXRT1170-EVKB

[VojtechBaranek]

Hi, I am doing a research for a project for telemetry data storage. For that I need to use the NAND flash device on MIMXRT1170-EVKB through SEMC as a simple storage for raw data (without file system). I populated the DNP resistors on the data lines.

Now, to get me started, I would need some example showing how to store some data on the NAND flash, and read it later. Also I need to avoid using SDRAM device in any way and only utilize MCU built-in SRAM as operating memory (as in my intended project there will be no SDRAM on board).

Could you please provide some demo/example and guidance on how to achieve my goal? Thank you in advance.

[kerryzhou · Accepted solution]

Hi @VojtechBaranek ,

  I find the issues, not the SDK demo issues, SDK demo works ok, it is the hardware soldering issues.

   The board :

Populate R1872~R1879 to use NANDFlash

  is solder by my another colleague, today, I remove it, and solder it again, then it works OK, no matter SDK2.13.0, SDK2.14.0, SDK2.15.0, all works ok.

This is the test result:

Sorry for the confusing, please solder your hardware and test it again.

If you still have issues about it, please kindly let me know.

Best Regards,

Kerry

[VojtechBaranek]

Hi @kerryzhou ,

Thank you for letting me know!

Just to make sure I understand correctly - the problem was only in quality of soldering, and just removing the resistors and soldering them better to the same places made the demo working without any other changes? So I if resolder the resistors precisely, it should just start working for me as well?

Best regards, Vojtěch

[kerryzhou]

Hi @VojtechBaranek ,

  Yes, you are right! It is just the related resistor didn't solder perfectly.

  I just remove the previous solder, and solder it again, then it works OK.

  Please try it on your side, if you still have question about it, please kindly let me know.

Best Regards,

Kerry

[VojtechBaranek]

Hi @kerryzhou ,

That is great news. Thank you very much for your investigation and replies! It is funny we ran into the same issue by mistake. I will try to ask my colleagues for some re-soldering in a lab to ensure high quality, and I will try again. It is great to know it should start working

Have a nice day!

Best regards, Vojtěch

[kerryzhou]

Hi @VojtechBaranek ,

 Sorry for my later reply.

Do you also meet this issues:

I also reproduce it after I modify the on board resistor:

R1872,R1873,R1874,R1875,R1876,R1877,R1878,R1879

I already report it internally.

Any updated information, I will let you know.

Best Regards,

Kerry

[VojtechBaranek]

Hi @kerryzhou ,

This seems to be exactly the same issue as mine. I also added those resistors and in the demo I get to the same failing point.

Thank you for your effort and for reporting it. I will be looking forward to some resolution.

Wish you a nice day. Best regards, Vojtech.

[kerryzhou]

Hi @VojtechBaranek ,

   Thanks so much for your patient.

  So sorry for my later reply, as internal side still need more time to do the detail checking, please keep patient, any updated information, I will let you know.

Best Regards,

Kerry

[VojtechBaranek]

Hi @kerryzhou ,

Thank you for keeping on this topic and updating me.

I noticed by email notification there was a new release of SDK v2.15.000, so I tried it, but the issue remains still the same. I am hoping for some solution as our project is becoming blocked.

Best regards, Vojtěch

[kerryzhou]

Hi @VojtechBaranek ,

  Thanks for your understanding and patience.

   Our SDK colleague already in the testing process again.

   Any updated information, I will let you know.

  Please keep patient, thanks.

Best Regards,

Kerry

[kerryzhou]

Hi @VojtechBaranek ,

  You want to run the MIMXRT1170-EVKB on board nandflash, right?

If yes, please :

1. hardware:

To make the examples works, please add resistors:
R1872,R1873,R1874,R1875,R1876,R1877,R1878,R1879

2. software

You can use the SDK demo:

SDK_2_14_0_MIMXRT1170-EVKB\boards\evkbmimxrt1170\component_examples\flash_component\semc_nand\cm7

This code will erase, program and read the data to the nandflash.

Wish it helps you!

If you still have question about it, please kindly let me know.

Best Regards,

Kerry

[VojtechBaranek]

Thank you @kerryzhou for your reply. I followed your advice and the demo really seems to be what I was looking for.

Unfortunately, the demo does not work properly for me. It always ends on Nand_Flash_Init because the status is failed. I went to debug the code, and it always fails in fsl_semc_nand_flash.c in function semc_nand_get_onfi_timing_configure on line 223 in condition:

if (nandOnfiParameterConfig.signature == nandOnfiTag)

where nandOnfiTag is previously defined as:

nandOnfiTag = FOUR_CHAR_CODE('O', 'N', 'F', 'I')

The actual ONFI parameter configuration, that has just been read on the previous lines, is full of zeros instead of meaningful values. Yet the status of that read operation was OK.

This is a very strange issue. It seems to me that the NAND flash is alive, but giving strange data. Couldn't this be caused by some mistake in the demo?

For instance, these macros below confuse me. The first one is completely unused, the other 2 are used. And I have no idea where these values came from.

#define EXAMPLE_SEMC_START_ADDRESS          (0x80000000U)
#define EXAMPLE_SEMC_NAND_AXI_START_ADDRESS (0x9E000000U)
#define EXAMPLE_SEMC_NAND_IPG_START_ADDRESS (0x00000000U)

Could you please think about what might be the cause and solution? I will be grateful for any help.

Thank you in advance. Best regards, Vojtech.

[kerryzhou]

Hi @VojtechBaranek ,

  I think, you may need to double check your hardware modification.

   If you still have issues, please tell me your used MIMXRT1170-EVKB version, then I will test it on my side.

Best Regards,

Kerry

[VojtechBaranek]

Hi @kerryzhou, 

I double checked under microscope and all those 8 connecting resistors seem to be soldered OK. If no extra modifications (like moving some jumpers) must be done, it should work.

So if you have a possibility to test the demo on your side, I will be grateful, as it will help me know where to focus. To tell you my version of the board, I enclose these photos, which I hope contain that info.

Thank you.

Best regards Vojtech

[kerryzhou]

Thanks for your information.

I will find time to test it, any updated information, I will let you know.

Please keep patient, thanks.