STM32F103-EVAL execute function from NOR

lonnie · ‎2008-10-27

Posted on October 27, 2008 at 13:32

lonnie · ‎2011-05-17

Posted on May 17, 2011 at 12:48

My goal is to have my main application that is stored in internal flash call a function stored in external NOR flash. What options do I have to accomplish this?

Looking at the STM32F103-EVAL board schematic, it seems the only way to program the NOR flash is via the STM32 itself, not by JLink. I was able to compile and run the FSMC NOR example, which demos erase/write/read operations with simple data.

The FSMC NOR_CodeExecute example requires that NOR be programmed with an external tool, which the STM32F103-EVAL doesn't support.

Has anyone successfully program NOR via the STM32 with a function and executed it?

Thanks in advance.

jj · ‎2011-05-17

Posted on May 17, 2011 at 12:48

Enjoyed your post - just received my EVAL-E board today - will investigate and report.

Your issue has broader implications - perhaps this is a means by which those with ''special expertise'' can embed (and secure) their code w/in the STM32 and allow subsequent user-programmers to customize the functionality as they desire. Such capability may be of interest to those forum posters able to accept, ''not invented (entirely) here!''

youzou1981 · ‎2011-05-17

Posted on May 17, 2011 at 12:48

Hi Lonnie,

You can use the DFU provided with ST USB package to program the NOR Flash.

You have to create a DFU file containg your function code.

Cheers,

Y1981

lonnie · ‎2011-05-17

Posted on May 17, 2011 at 12:48

I was able to install the USB DFU on my PC and the required firmware on the dev board. I did successfully program and execute from NOR flash, but the DFU took over 15 minutes to program 128 mega bits. That seems excessive, maybe something is misconfigured.

I was also able to follow the NOR example and program NOR with executable code. In order to do this, I placed my function at a specific address in internal flash. I then copied that function to NOR using the WriteBuffer function provided with the NOR driver. In the ICF file I set the address of the function in internal flash using ''place address at''. I told the linker that I would initialize the function manually and to place the function into NOR memory area.

I'm using IAR build tools.

[ This message was edited by: lonnie.walker on 27-10-2008 18:02 ]

virtualfight · ‎2011-05-17

Posted on May 17, 2011 at 12:48

Are you using one of the recommended Toolchains (RVMDK, EWARM, HITOP)? Then follow the instructions in the readme.txt located in the ''examples\FSMC\NOR_CodeExecute\binary'' folder.