3.5.3. Flash via UART

UART is used as the transport or interface to send the file to flash to the EVM.

3.5.3.1. Important files

uart_uniflash.py is located at <TI_SDK_PATH>/bin/uart_uniflash/uart_uniflash.py

Flashing application and example flash configuration files for GP, HS-FS and HS are located at

<TI_SDK_PATH>/bin/uart_uniflash/bin/am64xx-evm/

3.5.3.2. Requirements on Host PC

The tool is implemented using python and needs python version 3.x on Linux host.

The tool uses additional python packages as listed below.

pyserial for UART access on PC

xmodem for the file transfer protocol

tqdm for progress bar when the tool is run

3.5.3.3. Getting ready to flash

Make sure the flashing application and binaries you want to flash is built for the EVM.

Make sure you have installed python version 3.x and additional packages.

Make sure you have identified the UART port on the EVM.

3.5.3.4. Flash configuration file

Create a flash configuration file, using the example flash configuration file.

The flashing application (1 or 2 stage) needs to be flashed before flashing the binaries. Refer the flash configuration files for number of stages needed. Also modify the flash configuration to specify the correct path. Ex. for HS-FS

--flash-writer=<enter path to file>/sbl_uart_uniflash_stage1.release.hs_fs.tiimage

Now edit or add path to your binaries in the flash configuration file and also the offset to be flashed at. Example.

--file=<path to file>/tiboot3.bin --operation=flash --flash-offset=0x0

Flash configuration file for flashing to OSPI NOR

Create a flash configuration file. Refer to example_sbl_ospi_linux.cfg for GP devices, example_sbl_ospi_linux_hs.cfg for HS and example_sbl_ospi_linux_hs_fs.cfg for HS-FS.

Specify the paths of flashing application and files to be flashed at which offset in the flash configuration file.

3.5.3.5. Flashing the files

Set EVM in UART BOOT MODE and power on the EVM.

Run below python command on the Windows command prompt (cmd.exe) or Linux bash shell to flash the files

cd <TI_SDK_PATH>/bin/uart_uniflash/
python uart_uniflash.py -p {name of your UART com port} --cfg={path to your edited config file}

At each step in the flashing your will see success or error messages, including progress as the file is being transferred.

3.5.3.6. Flash tool options

Type below to see all the possible options with the flashing tool

cd <TI_SDK_PATH>/bin/uart_uniflash/
python uart_uniflash.py --help