Program the SPI flash of the TKey #
Programming the SPI flash of the TKey makes it possible to develop and test different FPGA configurations and firmwares while reprogramming multiple times.
The entire content of the SPI flash can be read by anyone who has access to the TKey. If you want a secure, locked-down version of TKey, you should instead program the NVCM.
Programming the SPI flash is done in two steps:
- Download tools.
- Program the SPI flash.
1. Download tools #
When programming the SPI flash we are using iceprog from our fork of
the Yosys icestorm project:
https://github.com/tillitis/icestorm/
If you want to use iceprog natively you will need to compile only
icestorm/iceprog in the “interfaces” branch with:
make PROGRAM_PREFIX=tillitis-
By default it installs with make install in /usr/local/bin.
Our OCI image
tkey-builder
includes our version of iceprog for use with Podman.
2. Program SPI flash #
First ensure that the TKey is inserted into the TKey Programmer and that the programmer is inserted into your computer.
Podman #
Make sure you have the tkey-builder container running as outlined in
Start the container.
Programming #
In a native shell or your container shell:
cd hw/application_fpga
tillitis-iceprog application_fpga.bin
Note that your own user need permission to speak to the raw USB device of the TKey Programmer. See Linux device permissions.
1. Download tools #
When programming the SPI flash we are using iceprog from our fork of
the Yosys icestorm project:
https://github.com/tillitis/icestorm/
If you want to use iceprog natively you will need to compile only
icestorm/iceprog in the “interfaces” branch with:
make PROGRAM_PREFIX=tillitis- OS=macos
By default it installs with make install in /usr/local/bin.
You can also download a binary release here:
https://github.com/tillitis/icestorm/releases
2. Program SPI flash #
First ensure that the TKey is inserted into the TKey Programmer and that the programmer is inserted into your computer.
After installing tillitis-iceprog, run:
cd hw/application_fpga
tillitis-iceprog application_fpga.bin
At the current state Tillitis does not provide a simple way of programming the SPI flash from a Windows machine. We are working on a solution.
When programming the SPI flash we are using iceprog from our fork of
the Yosys icestorm project:
https://github.com/tillitis/icestorm/
Use the “interfaces” branch.
According to Yosys it shoud be possible to compile but Tillitis has not yet explored this solution, please see the bottom of Yosys download page if you want to try.
Your Tkey is now ready to be taken out of the programmer.
If you plan to later lock down your Tkey by flashing the NVCM, it is highly recommended to generate a new bitstream with a new unique UDS and UDI.
Once you are done, continue to casing to assemble the plastic case.