Working with Flasher ARM

Flasher ARM can be used for programming flash targets with the J-Flash software or stand-alone.

Setting up Flasher ARM for first use

In order to use Flasher ARM for the first time you need to install the Flasher ARM related software and documentation pack which, among others, includes the J-Flash software and connect Flasher ARM to the host PC via USB.

Connecting the target system

Power-on sequence
In general, Flasher ARM should be powered on before connecting it with the target device. That means you should first connect Flasher ARM with the host system via USB / RS232 and then connect Flasher ARM with the target device via JTAG. Power-on the device after you connected Flasher ARM to it.
If you use Flasher ARM in stand-alone mode, just power-on Flasher ARM via external power supply

Verifying target device connection with J-Link.exe
If the USB driver is working properly and your Flasher ARM is connected with the host system, you may connect Flasher ARM to your target hardware. Then start the J-Link command line tool JLink.exe, which should now display the normal Flasher ARM related information and in addition to that it should report that it found a JTAG target and the target’s core ID. The screenshot below shows the output of JLink.exe. As can be seen, it reports a Flasher ARM with 3 JTAG devices connected.

Verifying target device connection with J-Flash
Another way to verify the target connection is to connect to the target using J-Flash. To connect to the target with J-Flash you have to choose an appropriate project file for the target first. After opening the project file choose Target --> Connect from the menu to connect to the target. If everything works as expected, follow the instructions in 2.2 to download a program to Flasher ARM with J-Flash.

Using Flasher ARM with PC Software "J-Flash"

J-Flash is a software running on Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 or Windows Vista systems and enables you to program your flash EEPROM devices via the JTAG connector on your target system.
J-Flash works with any ARM7/9/Cortex-M3 system and supports all common external flashes, as well as the programming of internal flash of ARM microcontrollers. It allows you to erase, fill, program, blank check, upload flash content, and view memory functions of the software with your flash devices.

Features

• Works with any ARM7/ARM9/Cortex-M3 chip
• ARM microcontrollers (internal flash) supported
• Most external flash chips can be programmed
• High-speed programming: up to 200 Kbytes/second (depends on flash device)
• Very high-speed blank check: Approximately 16 Mbytes/sec (depends on target)
• Smart read-back: Only non-blank portions of flash transferred and saved
• Easy to use, comes with projects for standard eval boards.

Setting up Flasher ARM for stand-alone mode

In order to setting up Flasher ARM for the "stand-alone mode" it has to be in "J-Link mode". When the correct connection of Flasher ARM to the host PC is veryfied start the J-Flash software. For more information about the general setup sequence to prepare Flasher ARM for stand-alone mode, please refer to the Flasher ARM User's Guide (UM08007)

LED status indicators

Progress and result of an operation is indicated by Flasher ARM.s LEDs:

Using the serial link to program in circuit

Flasher ARM can be used for in circuit programming of supported CPUs, which incorporate built in firmware for serial update of user flash. The target system has to be designed to support this mode of operation. Refer to target specific connection diagrams or Users manuals of your target CPU.

Remote control of Flasher ARM

Flasher ARM can be remote controlled by automated testers without the need of a connection to PC and Flasher ARM™s PC program. Therefore Flasher ARM is equipped with additional hardware control functions, which are connected to the SUBD9 male connector, normally used as RS232 interface to PC. The following diagrams show the internal remote control circuitry of Flasher ARM: