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Background

Often, when it comes to programming the mDDR/DDR2 memory controller, customers reuse the values provided in an EVM GEL file. This can lead to read/write issues as the GEL file timings are specifically tuned for a particular memory chip and clock speed. The mDDR/DDR2 memory controller register settings must be tuned for the customer's specific use case.

Configuring mDDR/DDR2 Memory Controller

The mDDR/DDR2 memory controller contains a set of registers which must be programmed according to the requirements of the memory chip being used. To determine the values to program into these registers you must read through AC timing information given in the memory chip data sheet. The mDDR/DDR2 memory controller user guide contains a chapter with step by step instructions on how to calculate the values for the mDDR/DDR2 memory controller. A spreadsheet was created to aid in that calculation. You can download the spreadsheet here.

To use the spreadsheet plug in the memory-specific timings into the green cells. The spreadsheet will automatically generate the values for the mDDR/DDR2 memory controller registers. It will also automatically populate some register fields when you select between DDR2 and mDDR.

NOTE: The function DEC2HEX is used during the register value calculation. If you see an error where this function is used, you will have to install the Analysis ToolPak in Excel. Go to Tools>Add-Ins and select Analysis ToolPak from the options listed.

Spreadsheet Improvements

The spreadsheet was created with minimal functionality. Suggestions for future improvements include:

Implementing checks on the register field calculations to guard against overflows and illegal values.
Adding pull down lists to some options like "page size" instead of requiring user to enter specific values.

Completed improvements:

Rev 3 & 4 - Added a separate sheet which will input a register value and decode that value into the register bit fields. Two values for the same register are entered side by side, for quick comparison of the two register values at the same time. This is helpful when you want to quickly determine what is the difference between say an EVM GEL file configuration and your custom configuration.

References

TMS320C674x/OMAP-L1x Processor DDR2/mDDR Memory Controller User's Guide (SPRUGJ)
AM17x/AM18x ARM Microprocessor DDR2/mDDR Memory Controller User's Guide (SPRUFU)

For technical support on OMAP please post your questions on The OMAP Forum. Please post only comments about the article Programming mDDR/DDR2 EMIF on OMAP-L1x/C674x here.