Toradex SMARC iMX8M Plus Module

Quick Start

  • Build the ARM trusted firmware binary

  • Get the DDR firmware

  • Build U-Boot

  • Flash to eMMC

  • Boot

Get and Build the ARM Trusted Firmware (Trusted Firmware A)

$ echo "Downloading and building TF-A..."
$ git clone https://git.trustedfirmware.org/TF-A/trusted-firmware-a.git
$ cd trusted-firmware-a

Then build ATF (TF-A):

$ export CROSS_COMPILE=aarch64-linux-gnu-
$ make PLAT=imx8mp IMX_BOOT_UART_BASE=0x30a60000 bl31
$ cp build/imx8mp/release/bl31.bin ../

Get the DDR Firmware

$ cd ..
$ wget https://www.nxp.com/lgfiles/NMG/MAD/YOCTO/firmware-imx-8.10.1.bin
$ chmod +x firmware-imx-8.10.1.bin
$ ./firmware-imx-8.10.1.bin
$ cp firmware-imx-8.10.1/firmware/ddr/synopsys/lpddr4*_202006.bin ./

Build U-Boot

$ export CROSS_COMPILE=aarch64-linux-gnu-
$ make toradex-smarc-imx8mp_defconfig
$ make

Flash to eMMC

> tftpboot ${loadaddr} flash.bin
> setexpr blkcnt ${filesize} + 0x1ff && setexpr blkcnt ${blkcnt} / 0x200
> mmc dev 0 1 && mmc write ${loadaddr} 0x0 ${blkcnt}

As a convenience, instead of the last two commands, one may also use the update U-Boot wrapper:

> run update_uboot

Boot

ATF, U-Boot proper and u-boot.dtb images are packed into a FIT image, which is loaded and parsed by SPL.

Boot sequence is:

  • SPL —> ATF (TF-A) —> U-Boot proper

Output:

U-Boot SPL 2025.04-rc5-00023-g34c31be81211 (Apr 04 2025 - 15:36:23 +0100)
Training FAILED
DDR configured as single rank
SEC0:  RNG instantiated
Normal Boot
Trying to boot from BOOTROM
Boot Stage: Primary boot
Find img info 0x4802f200, size 1100
Need continue download 1024
NOTICE:  Do not release JR0 to NS as it can be used by HAB
NOTICE:  BL31: v2.11.0(release):v2.11.0-723-gbd298f5c30ac
NOTICE:  BL31: Built : 14:18:43, Apr  4 2025


U-Boot 2025.04-rc5-00023-g34c31be81211 (Apr 04 2025 - 15:36:23 +0100)

CPU:   Freescale i.MX8MP[8] rev1.1 1600 MHz (running at 1200 MHz)
CPU:   Industrial temperature grade (-40C to 105C) at 72C
Reset cause: POR
DRAM:  4 GiB
Core:  312 devices, 32 uclasses, devicetree: separate
WDT:   Started watchdog@30280000 with servicing every 1000ms (60s timeout)
MMC:   FSL_SDHC: 1, FSL_SDHC: 0
Loading Environment from MMC... Reading from MMC(0)... OK
In:    serial@30a60000
Out:   serial@30a60000
Err:   serial@30a60000
Model: Toradex 0097 SMARC iMX8M Plus Quad 4GB WB IT V1.0A
Serial#: 15603364
SEC0:  RNG instantiated
Net:   Get shared mii bus on ethernet@30be0000
eth1: ethernet@30be0000, eth0: ethernet@30bf0000 [PRIME]
Hit any key to stop autoboot:  0
SMARC iMX8MP #