[SOLVED] Flasher Pro/Portable Standalone - Flashing multiple .hex files in to a single target

darcyw · May 13th 2016, 12:42am

Hi guys,

I'm trying to determine how I can use a single project/operation to load two hex files on to a target. In this case, a bootloader, and the firmware. It's undesirable to merge the hex files due to the retesting obligations.

I can pull two hex files in to the project but only one seems to get downloaded...

In stand-alone mode, using "flasher.ini" it feels like I should be able to do something like:

[FILES]
DataFile = "bootldr.dat"
ConfigFile = "mydevice.cfg"
DataFile = "firmware.dat"
ConfigFile = "mydevice.cfg"

But as far as I can tell the Flasher doesn't work it's way down the .ini file. Any thoughts as to how I can achieve this in stand-alone mode please?

Thanks!

SEGGER - Niklas · May 13th 2016, 10:10am

Hi,

one minor mistake here:

[FILES]
DataFile = "bootldr.dat"
ConfigFile = "mydevice.cfg"
DataFile1 = "firmware.dat"
ConfigFile1 = "mydevice.cfg"

Once the Flasher.ini looks like this, you can select the image with the buttons on the Flasher portable.

Best regards,
Niklas

darcyw · May 15th 2016, 10:07pm

Hi Niklas,

Unfortunately, you've missed the point on this... "...single project/operation..."

DataFile1 & ConfigFile1 don't work on the Flasher Pro.

So, this means that both the hex files need to be loaded when pushing a single button. If I have a Flasher Pro, I need to be able to do this with a single button press. If I have a Flasher Portable, I still want to do this with a single button press... Using two buttons is just wasteful as I have many other devices I need to use those other buttons for.

Do you have any suggestions please?

Where I stated it "feels like" I should be able to do this, I think it would be useful to deliberately specify DataFile[0-3] and ConfigFile[0-3] more than once, and the Flasher can process both sections sequentially. Perhaps I have three operations to perform to a single target, and a Flasher Pro... Let's say "Bootloader", "Firmware", "Default Configuration"... this kind of sequential operation would allow that to take place.

In stand-alone mode, using "flasher.ini" it feels like I should be able to do something like:

[FILES]
DataFile = "bootldr.dat"
ConfigFile = "mydevice.cfg"
DataFile = "firmware.dat"
ConfigFile = "mydevice.cfg"

Thanks

darcyw · May 15th 2016, 10:14pm

Or perhaps I could specify...

[FILES]
DataFile = "bootldr.dat", "firmware.dat", "config.dat"
ConfigFile = "mydevice.cfg"

as an alternative...?

I'm happy to use whatever method is needed to load multiple images in a single op.

Thanks

darcyw · May 17th 2016, 9:58pm

bump... I'm surprised there isn't an easy answer for any of my three questions!

SEGGER - Niklas · May 18th 2016, 9:38am

Hi,

sorry for the delay in response.
I am not that much involved in the J-Flash development and had to check back with my colleagues first.
Currently, there is no such functionality implemented in J-Flash.

A "batch-mode" is already on our internal ToDo , but without a fixed release Date yet.
If we cannot squeeze it in at some point, probably Q4/2016 - Q1/2017.

Batch mode will allow to do the following with one action(e.g. a button press, or a command via RS232, et.c) in standalone mode:
(The following list makes no claim to being complete)

Flashing multiple data files in sequence
Flashing one data file to all or a subset of the devices in a scan chain
Flashing different projects in sequence (Flash device 2 in chain with the 2nd datafile of Project 4, then flash device 0 in chain with the 1st datafile of Project 3, ....)

Best regards,
Niklas

SEGGER - Niklas · Nov 30th 2016, 11:12am

Quick update:
This feature has been included in V6.00 of the J-Link software. For detailed information regarding this, please refer to the Flasher User manual (UM08022), chapter "2.7 Batch Programming in stand-alone mode"

Best regards
Niklas

Share