IS25LQ080B QSPI Flash alternatives

Technical discussions related to any XMOS development kit or reference design. Eg XK-1A, sliceKIT, etc.
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lorenzochiesi
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IS25LQ080B QSPI Flash alternatives

Post by lorenzochiesi »

Hi All,

I'm designing a board based mainy on xC200 multichannel audio reference platform...
The QSPI flash used in this design apper to be discontinued in short time....

Please can indicate a no-pain replacement device that can work with the tools and reference code without issues

Lorenzo


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mon2
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Post by mon2 »

Hi Lorenzo.

1) Consider to stock up on a few of the IS25LQ080B devices through Digikey / Mouser / Arrow.

http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en ... ND/5189766


2) Consider to use one of the other supported QSPI devices listed in the following documentation.

https://www.xcore.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=4603

Code: Select all

Supported QSPI devices from page 211 of xTIMEcomposer user guide
ISSI IS25LQ080B
ISSI IS25LQ016B
ISSI IS25LQ032B
SPANSION S25FL116K 
SPANSION S25FL132K 
SPANSION S25FL164K 
3) You can add your own custom QSPI device as an option.
lorenzochiesi
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Post by lorenzochiesi »

Many thanks,

I'll use the SPANSION S25FL164K,

only another question:
This memory can be sourced in a version (S25FL164K0XMFIQ1) with QSPI mode enabled by default and locked. Is this required or the standard part running by default in SPI mode can be used?

Lorenzo
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mon2
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Post by mon2 »

Hi Lorenzo. While we are not users of the xC200 multichannel audio reference platform, here are some comments which are still applicable:

1) xC200 series is able to use QSPI mode, when available and also QSPI ENABLED in the target flash. Respectively, the XMOS firmware should also be supporting of this QSPI mode and will then allow for much higher throughput as compared to standard SPI mode.

2) Recommend that your target PCB offer the XTAG interface so that you can easily debug and/or program the target SPI flash device. Using this XTAG interface, you can then enable the QSPI bit of any QSPI flash device to allow for QSPI mode use.

The XFLASH utility should allow for this configuration to enable the QSPI mode. It is also very simple to throw a standard SPI command to any flash device to enable this QSPI mode.

We state with confidence that programming a flash device in standard serial mode can take a very long time so it will be wise to first ENABLE the QSPI mode -> then use this QSPI mode to program / verify the contents of the flash device to save on production time.

3) Alternative ideas are to keep the xC200 series CPU in reset mode which will then lead to tri-stating (HI-Z) the relevant SPI lines -> use external h/w via pogo pins or similar to program the target flash device.

4) The other option is to program the same SPI flash, out of circuit with QSPI mode enabled and then solder into to place during assembly time. Most suppliers of flash devices will offer this as a value added service so that when you receive the part, it is already containing your IP and QSPI mode enabled.

We are very close to completing our low cost programming jig for QSPI mode use using zero force socket(s) but currently side tracked due to some OEM interest for another (rush) product.
henk
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Post by henk »

Hi,

As far as I know the XMOS-tools will set QSPI quad mode when you transfer the program to flash using xflash. You will need to connect it using the CLK, CE, and Q0..Q3 lines; not the CLK, CE, MISO, and MOSI you would use for ordinary SPI.

If you want to volume program parts without using the XMOS-tools, you have to make sure that the quad-enable bit gets set whilst programming the flash contents.

Cheers,
Henk
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