External Flash W25Q64 with USBD_MSC example on NRF52840

[sne_333]

Hi All,

        I have an external flash W25Q64 on which I have to mount a file system. I am using USBD_MSC example of NRF52840. My main goal is to create a file inside the flash memory chip. And when USB is plugged into the device it should be seen as a drive on laptop/desktop and I should be able to access the file which was created in the flash chip.I have made the connections on the NRF52840 using the pin configurations below:-

#define SDC_SCK_PIN     (25) 
#define SDC_MOSI_PIN   (23) 
#define SDC_MISO_PIN   (24) 
#define SDC_CS_PIN       (15) 

I have also configured the details in nrf_serial_flash_params.c file. 

static const nrf_serial_flash_params_t m_sflash_params[] = {
    {    
        .read_id = { 0xEF,0x40,0x17 },
        .capabilities = 0x00,
        .size = 8 * 1024 * 1024,
        .erase_size = 2 * 1024,
        .program_size = 256,
    }
};

nrf_serial_flash_params_t const * nrf_serial_flash_params_get(const uint8_t * p_read_id)
{
    size_t i;

    for (i = 0; i < ARRAY_SIZE(m_sflash_params); ++i)
    {
        if (memcmp(m_sflash_params[i].read_id, p_read_id, sizeof(m_sflash_params[i].read_id)) == 0)
        {
            return &m_sflash_params[i];
        }
    }

    return NULL;
}

When I run the example , i get the following error:-

<info> app: Initializing disk 0 (QSPI)...

 <error> app: Disk initialization failed.

1) Will this example run for W25Q64 IC??

2) This example also includes FATfs files. Will it automatically create a file system on the external SPI W25Q64 flash memory??

3) Why am I getting "Disk initialization failed." error?

4) Inside sdk_config.h do I also need to enable pin configurations for Qspi??

5) How to test this application? Currently I am using NRF52840 DK and then connecting external spi flash to it. But for USB detection how will it work?

I have attached few files here to check for the configurations

04162.sdk_config.h

5287.W25Q64BV.PDF

Please help me to solve this issue. I need to solve this issue on an urgent basis. Your help will be appreciated. I have also attached W25Q64 datasheet for your reference.

Thanks & Regards,

Snehal

[Sigurd]

Hi,

Take look at this case, where the configuration needed for this flash chip is discussed:
RE: QSPI and w25q64fv flash

[sne_333]

Hi Sigurd,

              The thread you mentioned shows QSPI with flash directly. I am struggling for USB MSC code. Can you please help me with USB MSC code?

Thanks & Regards,

Snehal

[sne_333]

Sigurd Can you help? 

[Sigurd]

Hi,

Could you check what disk_initialize() returned?

The code here looks like this, so you need to check the value of disk_state

    NRF_LOG_INFO("Initializing disk 0 (QSPI)...");
    disk_state = disk_initialize(0);
    if (disk_state)
    {
        NRF_LOG_ERROR("Disk initialization failed.");
        return false;
    }

Here is the list over return codes and their meaning:

http://elm-chan.org/fsw/ff/doc/dstat.html

[sne_333]

Hi Sigurd,

              It returns Disk initialization failed with disk state = 1. 

I have one doubt here, I guess NRF52840 DK board has an external flash MXIC MX25R6435F on the board. When change the read id back to  read_id = { 0xC2, 0x28, 0x17 }, in the nrf_serial_flash_params.c, I guess it is able to read the flash and mount file system on it. 

Now for detected my own flash chip W25Q64 do I have to make any hardware changes or solder bridges in the DK board?

Thanks & Regards,

Snehal

[Sigurd]

Hi,

Yes, make sure that you are not using pins that are already used by something else. 

See this image:

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ug_nrf52840_dk/UG/dk/connector_if.html

If you must use GPIOs that are default used by something else, then you might need to do changes to the solder-bridge configuration. See this page: https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ug_nrf52840_dk/UG/dk/solder_bridge.html

[sne_333]

oh ok... Got it. Also is it possible for me to test with development kit? I mean when USB is connected from development kit to my laptop should I be able to see the device as DRIVE with file created inside it?  I am using the top USB port for powering on the development board.

Thanks & Regards,

Snehal

[Sigurd]

Hi,

sne_333 said:

Also is it possible for me to test with development kit? I mean when USB is connected from development kit to my laptop should I be able to see the device as DRIVE with file created inside it?

Yes, see "Testing" section here: https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/sdk_nrf5_v17.1.0/usbd_msc_example.html

[sne_333]

yes I got this log when I ran the example code from SDK.

But I am not able to see the files inside any drive on my laptop.

Why is it so??? I should be able to see  the drive and its files from windows explorer too right?

Thanks & Regards,

Snehal

[Sigurd]

You need to connect the USB cable to nRF USB:

[sne_333]

Thank you so much Sigurd. Yes it worked. Felt so happy after seeing the drive and the files . 

Now my last doubt is will this same setup work with AT25DF041B flash chip?? I have attached its datasheet here

at25df041-flash.pdf

Thanks & Regards,

Snehal

[Sigurd]

sne_333 said:

Now my last doubt is will this same setup work with AT25DF041B flash chip??

This looks to be a SPI flash. The example in the SDK uses the block_dev library, and it has implemented support for QSPI and SD-card. So there might be some work required for you here to get this to run on SPI instead.