Overview and Features

Summary

Flash Tool is part of the DevSuite software toolset, and allows you to generate binary images and write them to non-volatile memory. Most Flash Tool functionality requires a Sensor Data (.xsdat) file to be loaded. If a sensor is attached to the computer via USB, Flash Tool will automatically find the Sensor Data file for you. The following sensors are supported:  A-356SOC (MT9V126-138), AP100ATAP0100AT/CS, AP101ATAP0101AT, and ASX340AT/CS.

The images Flash Tool generates are composed of records such as register sets, variable sets, bitmap overlays, string overlays, patches, Host Command Interface (HCI) commands, and vendor-specific records. Records can be placed in initialization tables that are run when the sensor starts up and placed in command sequences which can be invoked from an initialization table or via the I²C protocol during run-time).

HCI commands are powerful tools to control sensor operation. In fact, Flash Tool itself uses HCI commands to write the binary image to memory. To help you create commands, there is a Host Command Interface Plug-In built into DevWare DevWareX. From this Plug-In, HCI command sequences can be copied (in .ini format) and imported into Flash Tool. Other .ini sources (such as DevWare’s preset .ini files) can also be imported into Flash Tool. 

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Open Start Menu ->All Programs -> Aptina Imaging -> Tools -> Flash Tool

2) Load the Sensor Data file(s) - Sensor Info Tab

If you have a sensor attached via USB: the Sensor Data file will load automatically.

If you DO NOT have a sensor attached: manually load a Sensor Data File by clicking “Load” and selecting the .xsdat file for your sensor. The default location is C:\Aptina Imaging\sensor_data. If you are using an AP10XXX AP010x or AP020x sensor, you will have an option to also load a Superset/Far Sensor, default location: C:\Aptina Imaging\sensor_data\configurations

3) Load a Configuration File - Configuration Tab

Click the “Load” button to the right of the Configuration file field, open the folder for your sensor and select a sample configuration file (FCFG file). The default location is C:\Aptina Imaging\flashtool\YOUR_SENSOR

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Depending on the particular Configuration file you have loaded, the various "Table" contents of this tab will vary and may be empty. See Help within Flash Tool for more details on using this tab.

5) Select the Initialization Table Setting tab

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4) Click through the

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Initialization Tables

When the sensor starts up, it will automatically load and run all the records within each initialization table, in the order indicated by the arrowsleft to right in the "Select Table" section. Which tables are available to you depends on your sensor, but will certainly include Global, Patch, and Calibration.

Click on several on these tables each of the Radio Buttons in the "Select Table" section to see what records have been loaded by your Configuration file.

Creating Records

1)    Create a

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Command Sequence and a

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Record

1. • Click the “New” button in the bottom-left under the “Sequences".

   • Click the “New” button in the bottom-middle of Flash Tool to create a new record:
   • For Record Type, select “Command”, and for Command select “Refresh”
   • Click the “Test” button, and then the “Finish” button

2)   Invoke your command sequence from an initialization table

To invoke your newly created command sequence during sensor start-up:

1. • Select an initialization table of your choice and create a new record of type Command->Invoke_Command_Seq 
   • Replace “<Sequence-ID>” with the ID shown in the Command Sequences table
   • Click “Finish”
   • Oops! Click on your command sequence and you will see that the Refresh Command is not allowed during initialization

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1. • "Command Sequence" Radio button and then the “Add New Record” button.

   • Use "Select "Record Type" to select a value and then fill in the parameters.
   • Click the “Finish” button; you'll see the new entry in the "List of Command Sequences" section.

2)   Create other Records as required

• • Select the appropriate Table via the "Select Table" Radio button.

Load HCI commands from DevWare plug-in into Flash Tool

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1. • First check the “ini” radio button under Log, then click the “Copy All” button
   • Switch to Flash Tool and select command sequence 0The "Command" that you created.
     
   • Click the “Import” “Convert INI” button, and click “Load Text” in the pop-up window
   • Paste (Ctrl-v) into this window and click “OK
   • Click the “Convert” button

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You should notice two records inserted into your command sequence. Select each one and you’ll see that one of them is ignored by Flash Tool because it is not supported.

Hit the “Delete” “Delete Records” button to get of remove it.

Save your Configuration to File

1. • Select the “Save and Program” tabHit the “Save Configuration to File” button"Save FCFG" button. 
   • Specify a location and file name and then hit Save.

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To generate images and write them to Flash, you must specify the memory type/size that your image will be written to.

1. • Select the “Global Settings” “Generate Image and Program” tab
   • Specify the Memory Type (optional)

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Generate a Flash Image and Write to NVM

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• Click the “Generate Flash Image” button and specify a name/location for the binary image.
• Click “Program Image Into Flash” and select the binary image file you specified in step 21.

Graduation!

You are now a successful alumni of the Flash Tool Quick Start Tutorial. Use your power wisely.

If you need further help, please reference Flash Tool’s in-application help, the Detailed Help File,  or contact an Aptina Application Engineer.