MCU Bootloader for NXP Microcontrollers

MCUBOOT

The MCU bootloader is a configurable flash programming utility that operates over a serial connection on supported NXP MCUs. The bootloader is delivered in two ways: as full source code that is highly configurable; or pre-programmed by NXP® into ROM or flash on select NXP MCUs. The MCU bootloader uses startup, header files, and peripheral drivers from MCUXpresso SDK releases.

The host side tools have been replaced by the MCUXpresso Secure Provisioning Tool (SEC) tool and underlying reference code (permissively licensed) Secure Provisioning SDK (which can be used to create custom programming and provisioning tools). Both tools are available on this page to communicate with the MCU bootloader.

Diagram

MCU Bootloader Startup Flow Diagram

MCU Bootloader Startup Flow Diagram
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Features

  • A common bootloader for MCX MCUs, i.MX RT crossover MCUs, LPC MCUs, Kinetis MCUs and Digital Signal Controllers
  • Supports for flashless devices
  • C/C++ Source code provided under a permissive BSD open source license
  • Supported Serial communications with active peripheral detection
    • UART
    • SPI
    • I²C
    • USB device HID/MSC
    • CAN
  • Common packet-based protocol for all peripherals
  • Capability to program or boot from external flash memory
  • Capability to program encrypted image
  • ROM flash driver usage examples
  • Host side tools include Secure Provisioning SDK (blhost/rblhost) and MCUXpresso Secure Provisioning Tool (SEC) that:
    • Run on Windows, Linux and Mac OS
    • Provide utilities for flash erase & programming and bootloader configuration
    • Support parallel programming for production
  • IDE Support:
    • MCUXpresso VSCODE
    • MCUXpresso IDE
    • IAR Embedded Workbench
    • Keil MDK Arm®

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Application Note (1)
Fact Sheet (1)
Reference Manual (1)
Release Note (1)
User Guide (10)

Design Resources

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