Flasher eMMC and SD-card programming
The eMMC and SD-card programming solution.
Overview
SEGGER Flashers support in-system programming of eMMCs and SD cards to enable easy and efficient production processes. In addition to programming a wide range of microcontrollers, SoCs, and external (Q)SPI flash devices, the Flasher series can also handle eMMC and SD cards via seamless integration with the Storage Image Creator command-line tool.
With Storage Image Creator FAT, a single, ready-to-write image is generated from files provided by the user. This workflow reduces multiple preparation steps to one write operation, enabling rapid, consistent, and high-yield production programming.
Use case
Storage Image Creator FAT for SEGGER Flashers
Many products rely on eMMCs or SD cards, and they require that an initial data set with a FAT or exFAT file system (such as emFile) be written directly during production. Storage Image Creator FAT optimizes this process by generating a ready-to-use image that can be programmed in-system, eliminating extra handling steps and reducing both effort and cost. This makes it an efficient choice for production environments in which consistent, preconfigured file systems must be prepared quickly and reliably.
How it works
Because Storage Image Creator is a command-line tool, it effortlessly integrates itself into a CI/CD process, removing all human interaction and enabling automatic creation of up-to-date production images.
The utility encapsulates an entire FAT or exFAT file system as a single production file. This includes a directory structure and files that are ready to be stored and used with no additional preparation, apart from the mounting of the file system. The utility creates a file on a host computer containing a virtual storage device where files and directories can be stored in the same way they are needed on the target device.
Files and entire directory trees from the host computer can be added to the created image. The image file created by Storage Image Creator FAT is a data file that contains only the necessary sectors required for production programming. This reduces both image transfer time and programming time.
The resulting image can then be programmed during production using a SEGGER Flasher and Flashloader, in order to prepare memories on a target device for their use as part of an end product.
SEGGER Image Creators
SEGGER has Image Creator tools for all major memory types. Each tool addresses the specific needs of the respective memory technology and production workflow.
FAT
Image Creator
Builds FAT or exFAT file-system images for file-based storage, such as SD and eMMC.
NAND
Image Creator
Creates images tailored for NAND flash. Handles NAND-specific layouts, bad block management, and ECC considerations.
NOR
Image Creator
Produces images optimized for NOR flash, which is useful when file contents need to be directly mapped to memory sectors.
FAQ
Do I need an additional license in order to use Storage Image Creator FAT with Flasher?
No. The tool is available free of charge.
How can I be sure that I can program eMMCs and SD cards? Where do I find a Flashloader list?
eMMCs and SD cards are programmed indirectly through the MCU on the target system. This requires a suitable flashloader that supports the specific pin assignment of the hardware design.
For more information or assistance with your setup, you are welcome to contact us.
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