Using external flash other than MX25R64

[Srikara]

Hi,

We are using nRF52840 for BLE functionality.

We are planing to use external flash with 128Mb which is other than MX25R64 available on DK board.

As part of initial bring up of external flash we are able to test external flash by defining PM_static.yml by having MCUBOOT secondary partition, Little FS in the external flash.

Now our main concern is we will not be able to use this flash but using other flashand the interface is QSPI.

My main concern is when we are moving to other flash what and all the changes from scratch is needed so that the external flash works as expected.

For e.g: DTS file modification for the flash, and what and all things needed as part of the driver modification.

I am new to the flash terminology and also can you help, where the driver code for flash exists and what modifications required for the flash othean default one, how to include it in the build.

Basically the steps involved in bringing up the external flash other than MX25R64

[riedlse]

Not a complete answer, but I found this sample in the zephyr ics build that lets you find out all of the details of the flash chip you are using to enter in the dts. 

zephyr/samples/drivers/jesd216

had to add to prj.conf and change the printf to print (if you use RTT, serial comm might work as well, didn't have that hooked up)

# QSPI configuration

CONFIG_NORDIC_QSPI_NOR=y

CONFIG_NORDIC_QSPI_NOR_FLASH_LAYOUT_PAGE_SIZE=4096

CONFIG_NORDIC_QSPI_NOR_STACK_WRITE_BUFFER_SIZE=16

# Enable logs

CONFIG_LOG=y

CONFIG_LOG_PRINTK=y

CONFIG_LOG_MODE_DEFERRED=n

CONFIG_LOG_BACKEND_RTT_MODE_DROP=n

CONFIG_LOG_BACKEND_RTT_MESSAGE_SIZE=1024

CONFIG_LOG_PROCESS_THREAD_STACK_SIZE=1024

CONFIG_SEGGER_RTT_BUFFER_SIZE_UP=4096

CONFIG_USE_SEGGER_RTT=y

CONFIG_RTT_CONSOLE=y

[Srikara]

This basic details I used while using default external flashof DK . My main concern is DTS file changes for QSPI and if any driver implementation needed.
Can you ellobarate where i can see dts file relation with flash in the path \ncs\v2.1.0\zephyr\samples\drivers\jesd216.

I do not see any dts related here

[dejans]

Hi,

Which board do you use?

Do you plan to use one external QSPI flash memory on your board which is different than existing one on the DK?

Best regards,
Dejan

[Srikara]

Hi 

I will not be using any bard. We will be using nRF52840 interfaced with external flash ove QSPI, in our complete product. 

I mean no DK will be used here.

[dejans]

Hi,

If you are planning to use QSPI NOR device which follows JEDEC specification, the basic set of features should be supported directly through nrf_qspi_nor.c driver. NAND flash would most likely be incompatible due to different sector sizes or use of different flash commands.

Best regards,
Dejan