Slow FLASH programming with i.MX35 and S29GL01GP

kkb-tech · February 19, 2013 at 9:50 AM

Hello,
We have a custom HW equipped with Freescale i.MX35 processor and Spansion S29GL01GP NOR FLASH (1024x128kbyte sectors).
For erasing and programming the FLASH we wanted to use our J-Link Pro interface.
We could connect to the target correctly.
When we tested the sector erase time, we got reasonable results (~87s for erasing 128 sectors).
But when we wanted to program the FLASH, we experienced very low flashing speed: 474 byte/s.
We performed speed test (IRAM, 128kbyte) which reported ~181 kbyte/s down and ~188 kbyte/s up speed.
When we enabled the "Use target RAM" for IRAM and 4 KB, the RAM check timed out.
After that we changed the RAM size to 1 KB. With this setting the RAM verification passed, but the subsequent erase / program operation timed out.
Did anybody experienced such a slow flashing speed?
If yes, did anybody find the reason behind that?
The "Use target RAM" option seems to be useless.
Did anybody use it with i.MX35 target?
Best regards,
Gyula Kovacs

mecalac · April 30, 2013 at 9:13 AM

I have problems to program external NAND flash connected on iMX35.
If you have solve your problem, can you post your script or jflash project?
Thanks.

MikeQ · May 2, 2013 at 5:17 PM

Hello kkb-tec,

it sounds a bit like your project has a very low JTAG speed selected, such as 5KHz.
Can you verify either in project settings or during operation in the control panel?

Programming speed should be much higher.

SEGGER - Alex · May 6, 2013 at 5:32 PM

Hi,

mecalac: NAND flash requires a so-called custom RAMCode since the connection between CPU & NAND differs from CPU to CPU and even from hardware to hardware using the same CPU.

kkb-tech: Are you using an eval board or custom hardware? If you can provide us a hardware with CFI NOR flash which can remain at SEGGER we can implement high speed CFI NOR flash programming.

Best regards
Alex

Participate now!