How to configure and use nRF9160DK external flash mx25r6435f

[Liza]

Hi,

I use the nRF9160dk and I want to use nRF9160's external flash mx25r6435f to store a few data.

There are few related posts from too many years ago. Could you provide a clear guideline to configure and use it?

board: nrf9160dk

SDK: v2.5.0

Thanks,

Liza

[dejans]

Hi Liza,

You could follow external flash documentation which shows Kconfig and devicetree configuration.

Best regards,
Dejan

[Liza]

Dear Dejan,

I have followed the configuration. 

I build the nrf9160dk_nrf9160_ns board and failed to bind with mx25r6435f ("--ERROR: Flash device is not ready--“). Here is my files.3580.nrf9160dk_nrf9160_ns.overlay

Fullscreen 8032.storage.txt Download

void NVSInit(){
	printk("\nNVS init started...\n");

	const struct device *dev_flash;
	dev_flash = device_get_binding(DEVICE_DT_NAME(DT_NODELABEL(mx25r64)));
    	if (!dev_flash) {
        		printk("\n--ERROR: Flash device is not ready--\n");
        		return;
   	 }

	err = flash_write(dev_flash,0,1,1);
	if(err!=0){
		printk("\n--ERROR: Failed to write data.-- \n\r");
		exit(1);
	}
	err = 1;

	err = flash_read(dev_flash,0,1,1);
	if(err!=0){
		printk("\n--ERROR: Failed to read data.-- \n\r");
		exit(1);
	}
	err = 1;
}

I learned from other post. Should I build nrf9160dk_nrf52840 board first to open the external flash? 

Thanks,

Liza

[Liza]

I bind mx25r6435f and read&write successfully. But I do not know what makes it success. Turning SW10 to nrf52 and build nrf52 board, or program board controller firmware (nrf9160_dk_board_controller_fw_2.0.1.hex)?

[dejans]

Hi,

Before programming board controller to nrf52840, PROG/DEBUG SW10 switch needs to be set to nRF52 position. nRF52840 controls analog switches on nrf9160-dk. To enable this control, you need to have board controller firmware flashed on nrf52840. It is board controller firmware which by default enables pin routing to external flash. 
On nrf9160-dk, it is EXT_MEM_CTRL signal on nrf52840 which controls whether nrf9160 is connected to external flash or not.



You can find more information about board controller in the documentation.

Best regards,
Dejan

[Liza]

Dear Dejan,

Got it. Thanks.

Best regards,

Liza