Using J-Flash for the First Time

Start J-Flash from the Windows Start menu. J-Flash’s main window will appear, which contains a log window at the bottom and the Project window of a default project on the left. The application log will initially display:

• The version and time of compilation for the J-Flash application.
• The version and time of compilation for the J-Link DLL.
• The number of supported flash devices.
• The number of supported MCU devices.
• The location of the default project.

The Project window contains an overview of the current project settings (initially J-Flash opens a default project).
(Click on screenshot to enlarge picture.)

Complete "J-Flash Guided Tour" video How to add the J-Flash license video How to program the flash using J-Flash video How to erase the flash using J-Flash video How to read the flash using J-Flash video

Sample Projects

If you are new to J-Flash, it might be a good idea to open one of our sample projects to familiarize yourself with the application. You find those project files in the Projects subdirectory of J-Flash’s installation directory. Once you have opened a project file, the project window contains the relevant project settings, e.g. chip type, clock speed, RAM size etc. The settings are known to be good defaults for the respective devices. You may then continue to open your own data files to actually program your device. The table below contains the included project files together with a short description.

Menu structure

The main window of J-Flash contains seven drop-down menus (File, Edit, View, Target, Options, Window, Help). Any option within these drop-down menus that is followed by a three period ellipsis (...), is an option that requires more information before proceeding.

File	Description
Open...	Opens a data file that may be used to flash the target device. The data file must be an Intel HEX file, a Motorola S file, or a Binary file (.hex, .mot, .srec, or .bin).
Merge...	Merges two files. The data files have to be Intel HEX files, Motorola S files, or Binary files (.hex, .mot, .srec, or .bin).
Save	Saves the data file that currently has focus.
Save As...	Saves the data file that currently has focus using the name and location given.
New Project	Creates a new project using the default settings.
Open Project...	Opens a J-Flash project file. Note that only one project file may be open at a time. Opening a project will close any other project currently open.
Save Project	Saves a J-Flash project file.
Save Project As...	Saves a J-Flash project file using the name and location given.
Close Project	Closes a J-Flash project file.
Export Setup File...	Exports a file that can be used to setup the J-Link. Please refer to the J-Link documentation for more information regarding J-Link setup files.
Recent Files >	Contains a list of the most recently open data files.
Recent Projects >	Contains a list of the most recently open project files.
Exit	Exits the J-Flash application.

Edit	Description
Relocate...	Relocates the start of the data file to the supplied hex offset from the current start location.
Delete range...	Deletes a range of values from the data file, starting and ending at given addresses. The End address must be greater than the Start address otherwise nothing will be done.
Eliminate blank areas...	Eliminates blank regions within the data file.

View	Description
Log	Opens and/or brings the log window to the active window.
Project	Opens and/or brings the project window to the active window.

Target	Description
Connect	Connect Creates a connection through the J-Link using the configuration options set in the Project settings... of the Options drop-down menu.
Disconnect	Disconnects a current connection that has been made through the J- Link.
Show CFI Info	Reads the CFI query information of a CFI compliant flash device.
Test >	Two test functions are implementet "Generates test data" generates data which can be used to test if the flash can be programmed correctly. The size of the gerated data file can be defined. "Tests up/download speed" writes data of an specified size to an defined address, reads the written data back and measures the up- and download speed.
Lock/Unlock sectors >	Sectors may be locked and unlocked. The soft lock and soft unlock work on a software only basis for those sectors that have been selected on the Flash tab of the Project Settings... found in the Options drop-down menu. If the software locks a sector with soft lock, it can easily be unlocked using the soft unlock feature. The hard lock and hard unlock work on a hardware only basis. If a sector is locked using the hard lock command, it can only be unlocked through hardware support. For example, some flash devices have a special PIN that must be set high or low to allow an unlock command.
Secure chip	Secures the MCU
Unsecure chip	Unsecures the MCU
Check blank	Checks flash to see if it is empty.
Fill with zero	Fills all selected flash sectors with zero. Some flash chips need this before erasing them.
Erase sectors	Erases the sectors selected in the Flash tab of the Project Settings... found in the Options drop-down menu.
Erase chip	Erases the entire chip.
Program	Programs the chip using the currently active data file.
Program & Verify	Programs the chip using the currently active data file and then verifies that it was written successfully.
Auto	The Auto command performs a sequence of steps. It connects to the device, erases sectors and programs the chip using the currently active data file before the written data is finally verified. The range of sectors to be erased can be configured through the Flash tab of the Project settings dialog and through the Global settings dialog. See chapter “Set-tings” on page 19 for further details.
Verify	Verifies the data found on the chip with the data file.
Verify CRC >	Verifies the CRC. There are three ways in which the CRC can be verified. "Affected sectors" verifies the CRC of the affected sectors. "Selected sectors" verifies the CRC of the selected sectors. "Entire chip" verifies the CRC of the entire chip.
Read back >	Reads back the data found on the chip and creates a new data file to store this information. There are three ways in which the data can be read back. The Selected sectors identified on the Flash tab of the Project Settings... found in the Options drop-down menu may be read back. The Entire chip may be read back. A specified Range... may be read back.
Start Application	Starts the application found on the chip.

Options	Description
Project settings...	Location of the project settings that are displayed in the snapshot view Project settings... found in the Project window of the J-Flash application as well as various settings needed to locate the J-Link and pass specified commands needed for chip initialization.
Global settings...	Settings that influence the general operation of J-Flash.

Window	Description
Cascade	Arranges all open windows, one above the other, with the active window at the top.
Tile Horizontal	Tiles the windows horizontally with the active window at the top.
Tile Vertical	Tiles the windows vertically with the active window at the left.

Help	Description
Help	Shows this help file in a PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader.
Licenses...	Shows a dialog with licensing information. The serial number of a connected J-Link may be read and licenses added or removed.
About...	J-Flash and company information.
J-Flash ARM User's Guide	Shows this help file in a PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader.
J-Link ARM User's Guide	Shows the J-Link ARM User™s Guide in a PDF viewer such as Adobe Reader.
Licenses...	Shows a dialog with licensing information. The serial num- ber of a connected J-Link may be read and licenses added or removed.
About...	J-Flash and company information.