Re: [avrdude-dev] [RFC] XMEGA PDI programming with a AM335x processor

[Andy Simpkins]

Hi all.

I am using Enric's XMEGA PDI programming support using the Programmable 
Real-time Unit (PRUSS) available on AM335x based boards on our hardware 
platform at work, and on BBB at home, and think this would benefit other 
users as well.
What do we need to do to include this functionality within the awesome 
AVRDude?

Best regards

/Andy

Disclaimer: The company I work for was responsible for asking Enric to 
carry out this work.  We find this an invaluable extension to AVR dude 
(our platform has several AVRs performing real time / MCU accelerated 
tasks outside the control of our host system) initially program all 
firmware form the host OS (in this case a Debian based Linux distro) on 
the platform without needing external programmers saves a lot of time 
and effort during production AND more importantly we can also update 
units in the field.  We produce communication and accessibility aids for 
people with disabilities.  This platform is a speech synthesiser for 
people with no voice.

On 12/02/2017 22:01, Enric Balletbo i Serra wrote:
> Hi again,
>
> Just a quick note that finally I found the problem, as I supposed the problem 
> was in the PRU firmware, to be more exact, the problem was due I was using an 
> old PRU compiler. I just updated my repository with latest changes for if 
> someone finds it useful and wants to test.
>
> Thanks,
>    Enric
>
>
> On 29/01/17 12:53, Enric Balletbo i Serra wrote:
> > Dear all,
> >
> > This is a request for comments.
> >
> > I've been working on add XMEGA PDI programming support using the Programmable 
> > Realtime Unit (PRUSS) available on AM335x based boards like Beaglebone Black. 
> > With this you can program an XMEGA in-circuit without requiring any external 
> > hardware. The programmer needs a custom firmware that needs to be loaded to the 
> > PRU [1], avrdude loads the firmware and communicates with it to be able to 
> > program the firmware on XMEGA, the code is available here [2] and the specific 
> > commit that adds support for it is here [3]. It works doing
> >
> >   avrdude -p atxmega16d4 -c pruss -e -U flash:w:my-firmware.hex
> >
> > But there is still an issue that I need to solve, though I have a workaround to 
> > make it work. I'm pretty sure that the problem is in the PRU firmware side so 
> > not a problem with avrdude. Nevermind if you want to help test, review or give 
> > me your comments all are welcome. Do not hesitate to contact me if you are 
> > interested on this, either by email or in the irc (nickname eballetbo). I hope 
> > have a stable version soon but meanwhile, I repeat, if anyone would like to 
> > test all feedback is welcome.
> >
> > Best regards,
> >
> >   Enric
> >
> >
> > [1] https://github.com/eballetbo/pdi-pruss
> > [2] https://github.com/eballetbo/avrdude
> > [3] 
> > https://github.com/eballetbo/avrdude/commit/ba3cb893cf3931033faeb4ebe0c296842f168cc7
> >
> >
> >
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