Flex Config User Guide
The "Flex Config" application is for internal Aptina use only, targeted mainly to Application Engineers. It enables a user to store a sensor or ISP configuration on the Demo3 that gets applied upon power-up, and optionally can enable the HDMI port of the Demo3.It can also optionally setup the UVC default Descriptor and download FW that converts the Demo3 in to a UVC device.
Intended use-cases include;
- Automotive; in conjunction with headboard Flash programming of the headboard, demonstrate that by only applying power to the Demo3 that images can be streamed.
- Mobile; for ICP, store custom configurations that don't require DevWare initialization.
- Enable the Demo3 be an UVC plug-and-play device with the default Descriptor.
HW Configuration
Connect the Demo3 board to the PC/laptop and double-click on the Flex_Config tool icon to start the tool. The intro page should show up.
Intro Page
This page shows the mode of the connected Demo3 device. It tells you whether the device is in USB/UVC mode. It also tells you the version of the stage-2 firmware on the Demo3. If the Demo3 board is not connected or it did not boot correctly, you will see "Device Not Found". Unplug the device and plug it back in. Please wait for the device to register with Windows (wait for the sound feedback from Windows indicating that the device has been connected), before starting the tool. Click Next to continue.
Reboot Page
To read and program the flex Config, the Demo3 must be rebooted to Flash Programming firmware. The tool will do this when you click the Reboot Device button. It should take 15 to 30 seconds. Once the device Reboot is complete, click Next to continue.
Current Flex Config Page
This page gives details about the current flex configuration stored on the Demo3. It tells you whether the flex configuration is valid, and it displays a text description about the configuration. It also tells you the output format it is configured for, the output interface it uses, whether HDMI interface was configured, and whether XMCLK was programmed on the Demo3.
Next, it gives 3 options in the form of radio buttons.
- No change to Config – This means that the current settings are acceptable and you do not want to change them. Just click Next to Continue.
- Invalidate Current Config – This invalidates the current configurations, so that the Demo3 does not load it the next time it boots. Once invalidated, the configuration cannot be re-validated. It must be re-programmed.
- Program a New Config – If this option is selected, it enables a drop-down box with options for the type of the new configuration
- ICP-1 – Input is an XML file supporting bootdata loading for ICP-1 firmware. This bootdata section is programmed into the SPI flash by the tool.
- ICP-2/ICP-3 – Input is an XML file supporting bootdata loading.
- No Config File – Use this option if the Non-ICP ISP or SOC headboards.This includes self-bootable devices with on-board EEPROM/Flash that will remain as a USB device.Or for supported SOCs that you will be able to download FW to enable them as a UVC device.
Click Next to Continue.
Program New Config Page
This page asks for a few inputs from the user in order to program the flex configuration correctly, and to get the Demo3 up with the right settings.
Configuration file – This is an XML file with bootdata section for ICP configuration. The tool extracts the bootdata section from the XML and programs it on the SPI.It is only enabled when either of the ICP options were selected from the previous page.
Configuration Description – Enter a text description of the config. This text will be displayed in the Current Flex Config page the next time you run this tool.
Output Resolution - Enter the output width, height and frame rate. This is required to program the Demo3 correctly in UVC mode.
Output Interface - Enter the output interface. Enter if you want to enable HDMI output from the demo3.
HDMI programming – Select HDMI output if required.
XMCLK programming - Select the XMCLK programming checkbox if you want to program the Demo3 XMCLK to a certain value. Then enter the frequency value in MHz in the text input box next to it.For e.g. for 24MHz output, enter 24.
Click "Program Flex Config" button to program the configuration on the Demo3 SPI flash. Once the programming is completed the message "All Done!" is displayed.
Click Next to Continue.
Current FW mode Page
This page asks you whether you want to switch the mode of the Demo3 from USB to UVC or vice versa. Click the YES radio button if you wish to update the stage-2 firmware on Demo3.
Program New Firmware Page
This page gives you a list of options of "IMSG" available to load onto SPI.
- For a self-booting device that you want to appear as a UVC device, select "*FlexConfig.img".
- For supported SOCs, select the IMG file associated with the SOC.
- The IMG file "100E02*" is the USB FW.
Select one, and click on "Program New Firmware" button to program the new firmware. Wait for the status to say "Programming Done"
Click Next to Continue.
Conclusion Page
Click Finish to cancel. Reboot device by unplugging and plugging in the Demo3 device again.
Recovery Instructions
It is possible that a FW update could render the Demo3 inoperative.
Here's a link to Recovery Instructions in case that happens.
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