6.2.8. Flashing eMMC on BeagleBone Black via SD Card¶
6.2.8.1. Overview¶
This documentation provides the flow and script for programming the eMMC on a BeagleBone Black solely via micro SD Card. This solution will work with a completely blank board / EVM. This solution can be used as a base to create a custom production programming solution. A host Linux PC with the most current Processor SDK will be needed to create a bootable SD card.
In order to accomplish this goal, two main objectives need to happen:
- Create a bootable USB using the SDK’s SD Card Creation script with our Linux PC.
- Use the included sd-card-flasher script on the EVM to repartition and reformat the eMMC.
6.2.8.2. What is Needed¶
- The most current Processor SDK for Linux installed on an appropriate development system
- A BeagleBone Black
- A 5V power supply compatible with the BeagleBone Black
- A Serial Debug Cable is recommended to monitor U-Boot outputs
- The flasher script:
sd-card-flasher.sh
6.2.8.3. Preparing the SD Card¶
Follow the steps outlined in the Linux SD Card Creation Guide.
For this guide, it is recommended to follow the steps to create an “SD Card Using Default Images.”
Once the SD Card has been created with default images, copy the included sd-card-flasher.sh to the /home/root/ directory in the rootfs partition of the SD Card:
sudo cp <PATH-TO-FLASHER>/flasher.sh <PATH-TO-SD-CARD>/rootfs/home/root/
Verify flasher script has been copied to SD card:
sudo ls <PATH-TO-SD-CARD>/rootfs/home/root/
Copy rootfs from SDK to SD card:
sudo cp <PROCESSOR-SDK>/filesystem/tisdk-default-image-am335x-evm.tar.xz <PATH-TO-SD-CARD>/rootfs/home/root/
Verify rootfs tarball has been copied to SD card:
sudo ls <PATH-TO-SD-CARD>/rootfs/home/root/
6.2.8.4. Booting EVM and Running Partition Script¶
Connect EVM to UART console via Serial Debug Cable
Insert SD Card into EVM
Boot and power on EVM from SD Card.
Note
The BeagleBone Black can be booted from an SD Card by simply holding down the USER/BOOT button on the board before powering it on.
Once the EVM has booted, login with root permissions.
Invoke sd-card-flasher.sh script. It will be located in the /home/root/ directory:
./sd-card-flasher.sh
If the eMMC has successfully been programmed, the script will output a successful flash message.
Power off EVM, and remove SD Card
Power EVM back on to ensure eMMC has been flashed