eMMC update with customized trusted image

Revision as of 15:52, 1 December 2021 by Registered User

This article gives details about updating the bootloader objects of eMMC memory, located onto STM32MP157x-EV1 (e.g.), using STM32CubeIDE.

BackToNavigationTree button.png

1. Overview[edit source]

Here is the process used:

  • eMMC is first initialized with Starter Package image thanks to STM32CubeProgrammer.
  • The trusted image is built inside STM32CubeIDE with device tree configured using embedded STM32CubeMX.
  • Next step is to update STM32MP15 board; this means the STM32MP15 board is up and running with network access: target status is green.
  • The way to check this customization is to compare version appearing in boot message.


2. Bootloader version after update with Starter Package[edit source]

Here are the TF-A BL2, U-boot version and the used extlinux.conf file used in Starter Package.
They all appear in boot messages.

  • TF-A BL2 version, booting from eMMC memory
eMMC initial setting: TF-A BL2 version
  • U-boot version & extlinux.conf file used, booting from eMMC memory
eMMC initial setting: U-boot version & extlinux.conf
  • extlinux.conf content before update.
eMMC initial setting: extlinux.conf content

3. Customizing bootloader with STM32CubeIDE[edit source]

After compiling device tree generated by STM32CubeMX we need to :

  • update MP15 target bootfs with new .dtb under /boot
  • and adjust /boot/mmc1_extlinux/extlinux.conf in order to declare new device tree and set it as default.

This is done thanks to Cortex-A Linux® Deployment shortcut configuration available from Linux® project Run As... menu.

  • Linux® deployment configuration
Linux® deployment configuration
  • eMMC Linux® deployment message
eMMC Linux® deployment message
  • eMMC Linux® device tree update
eMMC Linux® device tree update

Then, select Cortex-A project and right click to get Cortex-A Bootloader Deployment shortcut.

Bootloader update shortcut

Connection is automatically set and you need to scan MP15 target storage. This storage list depends on the board and on boot storage used. Then, select:

  • the storage to update, eMMC #0 here;
  • TF-A BL2 & FIP image to update from FIP_artifacts/ .


  • eMMC bootloader deployment configuration
eMMC Bootloader deployment configuration
  • eMMC bootloader deployment message
eMMC Bootloader deployment message

4. Bootloader version after customization wit STM32CubeIDE[edit source]

After the update, TF-A BL2 and U-Boot versions are modified and Linux® uses the generated Device Tree. Here are the boot messages now:

  • TF-A BL2 updated version, booting from eMMC memory
eMMC updated TF-A BL2 version
  • U-Boot updated version & Linux® device tree, booting from eMMC memory
eMMC updated U-Boot version & Linux® Device Tree

BackToNavigationTree button.png

No categories assignedEdit