Updating External Flash Firmware on i.MX RT1052 EVK using a Pendrive via USB

[rathna]

Hi,

Looking  for solutions for updating the firmware for i.MX RT1052 (EVK) which is using external Flash. The new file will be available in pen drive which would get connected on  USB Host port on the EVK. Pl help / suggest with any ready example code to achieve this. 

regards

ratna

[rathna]

Dear NXP Team

Am very thankful for your quick replies

As the subject is bit vast I am taking bit of time to go through the resources. Its indeed helpful but one concern is that our requirement for flash update via USB (pen drive) has to happen without the intervention of a PC /Pc software. The display screen will be used to interact with the user while initiating update process. Since we have completed the software development work without OS we would build simple screens to access Pendrive. If an example with this concept be shared it would help further to simply and complete our work quickly

Further support on this would be highly appreciated

thanks a lot

ratna

[mjbcswitzerland]

Hi All

As this subject comes up repeatedly I would like to point out that there is a standard solution available for all i.MX RT 10xx parts (including GUI if available in the HW) that has been proven in industrial products for a couple of years. It may make sense in projects where the time needed to develop, test, document and debug a new solution needs be avoided.

Here is an example of its use in such a product:
https://youtu.be/Z-4y8R2HIVE

Regards

Mark

[rathna]

Hi Mark

Thanks for sharing this interesting and very much desired video. This is what I am actually in need of. My bad that I didn't check for replies further to my posting. 

Is it possible for you to share source code in implementing this.. even if it is a small project its fine but I would like to understand the concept. I am very badly in need of this

thanks in advance

ratna

[mjbcswitzerland]

Hi

The solution is documented at https://www.utasker.com/docs/uTasker/uTaskerSerialLoader.pdf whereby the SD card technique (from page 29) is relevant for the pen drive method too.

Guides, videos etc. are here: https://www.utasker.com/iMX/developers.html

Overview of uTasker project for i.MX RT: https://www.utasker.com/iMX.html

Regards

Mark

P.S. For i.MX and Kinetis stock availability see https://www.utasker.com/Shop/semi.html

[kerryzhou]

Hi @rathna 

  NXP don't have the directly pendrive application, please refer to the Jay and mjbcswitzerland's suggestion code, that is similar.

Wish it helps you!

Best Regards,

Kerry

[jay_heng]

There are two ways:

1. on-board DAP-Link, USB MSD update.

2. https://github.com/NXPmicro/sbl

[rathna]

Thanks for sharing this detailed information Jay_heng

I am going through the documents but just to let you know we have developed a HMI using this NXP base design reference

We have built API which facilitates a pen drive (USB) and SD card interface from the CPU card and associated navigation and screens are integrated 

Now the requirement is to provide a facility from these screens to read the file from pen drive and go for firmware update

If you can help us with some example code as per the following,

1. On power on our boot firmware will wait for availability of pen drive on USB port for 10 seconds

2. Firmware will read software version already programmmed on Flash to ne one in pendrive

3. If both are different and the one in pen drive is of higher version, firmware will display messages on the screen and wait for ENT key from the user

4. If it is of lower version, then it will again prompt the user to downgrade or abort

5. Further on OKAY from user, File read from USB will happen. HERE WE NEED TO KNOW HOW THIS ENTIRE FILE CAN BE STORED BEFORE FLASH ERASE AND WHERE IT SHOULD BE STORED TEMPORARILY

6. We need you to help us in this section about how we can initiate Flash erase, write, read cycles and confirm the newly written firmware is crosschecked with the file available in the pen drive

thanks

ratna

[daniJVV]

Hello @rathna,

Did you get to work a USB update for your project? I'm in the same case, I need to update with a pendrive without any PC/Host intervention. Also have a HMI where I can do some screens related to this procedure.

Thank you in advance

[mjbcswitzerland]

Hi

USB pen drive uploading is available at
https://www.utasker.com/iMX/RT1050.html
(including displaying loading progress on TFT display, if desired).

https://www.utasker.com/docs/uTasker/uTaskerSerialLoader.pdf

Off-the-shelf solution (available for all i.MX RT 10x parts without any porting needed) used in numerous products with proven reliability. Supports AES256 encryption and clone protection for worry-free distribution.

Regards

Mark