nrf_memory ( QSPI flash control tool )

Introduction

This tool provides the ability to write and read binary data to and from an external QSPI flash, a shortcoming of the nrfjprog.exe commonly used in the nRF5 series.

This supports 3 main features reading the binary data from QSPI flash, writing the binary data to QSPI flash, and verifying the reliability.

Usage

First, Change the CS/SCK/DIO pins in QspiDefault.ini to fit your target board.

Then you can use the command and options following the description below.

Usage: 
    nrf_memory COMMAND [--family=<DeviceFamily>] [--saddr=<startaddress>] [--size=<n>] [--ofile=<filename>.bin] [--ifile=<filename>.bin] [--serial=<serialno.>] [--conf=<ini_file>] [--dump=<n>] [--pattern=<pattern>] [--fulltest=<n>]
    nrf_memory (-h | --help | -v | --version)

Command & Options

COMMAND:
    read                 Read binary from the given QSPI's address
    write                Write binary to the given QSPI's address
    test                 Memory test
    store                Store the default ini file
    
Options:
    -h, --help           Show this screen and exit
    -v, --version        Show version
    --saddr=<n>          Start address
    --size=<n>           Reading size
    --ofile=<filename>   Output binary file name
    --ifile=<filename>   Input binary file name
    --serial=<n>         J-link serial number. If not set, listing or set automatically
    --conf=<filename>    Configuration File
    --dump=<n>           Enable/Disable hex-dump (true=enable, false=disable)
    --pattern=<pattern>  4Bytes test pattern (default:0x55555555)
    --fulltest=<n>       Test whole memory (true=enable, false=disable)
    --family=<device>    Device Family (NRF52, NRF53, NRF91). If not set, set it automatically

Example

nrf_memory read --saddr=0x1200 --size=4096 --ofile=memorydata.bin --dump=1

nrf_memory write --saddr=0x2400 --ifile=memory.bin    

nrf_memory test --saddr=0x1000 --size=0x10000 --pattern=0x5A5A5A5A --fulltest=false

nrf_memory store

Details

• The tool will detect the device family automatically if you don't provide the information
• If you don't set the J-link serial number, the tool will list or select the J-link automatically

Reading out and writing the data from/to a given range of QSPI flash memory

Dumping out the QSPI flash memory data as readable file

Partial QSPI Flash memory verification

Tips

I used this tool to analyze the stored data in littlefs.

After reading out from the QSPI flash memory, you can see the data stored in the littlefs through littlefs disk image viewer (tniessen.github.io), as shown in the figure below.

Limitations

• Creating the executable file only supports the Windows OS.
• Not yet supported intel HEX format