QSPI pins on XCORE-200

[Unchyu2]

Hello,

We have designed a new board using the XU216-256-TQ128-C20 as the core microprocessor.
We can program the board and it works well but cannot flash the memory. When we try to Flash the code from xTimeComposer we get the error:

Error on tile[0]: failed to connect to flash device. Please verify that SQI type is supported and that the correct SQI ports are defined within your xn file.

We based our design on the XCORE-200 Multichannel Audio Platform 2v0 Hardware Manual but we have three differences:

1. we changed the ports which connects the memory to the microprocessor form

Code: Select all

            <Port Location="XS1_PORT_1B" Name="PORT_SQI_CS"/>
            <Port Location="XS1_PORT_1C" Name="PORT_SQI_SCLK"/>
            <Port Location="XS1_PORT_4B" Name="PORT_SQI_SIO"/>

to

Code: Select all

            <Port Location="XS1_PORT_1H" Name="PORT_SQI_CS"/>
            <Port Location="XS1_PORT_1G" Name="PORT_SQI_SCLK"/>
            <Port Location="XS1_PORT_4D" Name="PORT_SQI_SIO"/>

2. our memory is IS25LQ016B instead of IS25LQ080B

3. we have a 10 kOhm pull-up resistance on SPI_CS instead of 1 kOhm

I have read in the XU216-256-TQ128 Datasheet that in order to boot from QSPI master you have to use only those specific pins, is that correct or can they be changed in software?

Thank you in advance for your answer,
Ilie

[henk]

Hi Ilie,

If you want to use the QSPI flash as the boot-rom, then you must connect it to 1B, 1C, and 4B, as prescribed on the data-sheet.

If you don't intend to boot from it, then you can use the ports you used; but I am not sure whether xflash can find it if the flash is on different pins.

If you intend to boot from it, and you don't want to change the pin-out, then you can write a custom boot-rom in OTP. Still - I am not sure whether xflash will find it.

Cheers,
Henk

[ffomich]

Hi llie,

some port pins are reserved: https://www.xmos.com/support/silicon?component=18106