Marvell ARMADA 16x Applications Processor Family

Marvell ® ARMADA 16x Applications Processor Family
Version 3.2.x Boot ROM Reference Manual
2.2 Autoboot on an Uninitialized System
The Boot ROM is directed to probe a pre-determined address for each flash type that is supported
for a valid NTIM header. If no header is found, the Boot ROM waits for a download from the USB
port, if enabled (see the Download Capabilities section of the “Boot Operations” chapter.) The Boot
ROM probes flash devices in the following order:
• XIP on SMEMC CS0
• x16 NAND on NFC CS0
• x8 NAND on NFC CS0
• OneNAND and Flex OneNAND on SMEMC CS0
• eSD or eMMC devices on MMC3
• Alternative eSD or eMMC devices on MMC3
• eSD or eMMC devices on MMC1
• SPI Flash
The current implementation of the ARMADA 16x Applications Processor probes the boot partition
(Partition 1) of the eSD or eMMC device at offset 0x0 for the NTIM header. If the device does not
support a physical boot partition, then the NTIM may be placed in the user partition and the probe
process will find it.
The autoboot mechanism ends with the Boot ROM waiting for a download; if not, then the NTIM
header is found for booting the system. Boot times can vary from one flash type to another because
of the fixed-probe order.
2.3 Download Capabilities
The Boot ROM has the built-in capability to download and run an image over the USB OTG port.
This mechanism uses the communication protocol defined in Chapter 9, “Communication Protocol”.
The purpose of downloading is for manufacturing use on systems in the uninitialized platform boot
state where the flash is not programmed, or for a boot failure. The intent is to allow an OEM to
download software to program or debug the platform boot images.
The download mechanism is much slower than a boot from flash and is not intended as a normal
boot option. The USB device driver in the Boot ROM can operate only as a device and must be
attached to a Host PC running a utility that implements the communication protocol. The embedded
device drivers cannot run in Host mode, which prevents plugging in USB mass storage devices such
as a USB flash device.
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Doc. No. MV-S301208-00 Rev. - Copyright © 11/15/10 Marvell
Page 18
November 2010 PUBLIC RELEASE