annotate doc/TIFFS-Overview @ 465:003e48f8ebe1

rvinterf/etmsync/fsnew.c: cast 0 to (char *) for execl sentinel I generally don't use NULL and use plain 0 instead, based on a "NULL considered harmful" discussion on the classiccmp mailing list many aeons ago (I couldn't find it, and I reason that it must have been 2005 or earlier), but a recent complaint by a packager sent me searching, and I found this: https://ewontfix.com/11/ While I don't give a @#$% about "modern" systems and code-nazi tools, I realized that passing a plain 0 as a pointer sentinel in execl is wrong because it will break on systems where pointers are longer than the plain int type. Again, I don't give a @#$% about the abomination of x86_64 and the like, but if anyone ever manages to port my code to something like a PDP-11 (16-bit int, 32-bit long and pointers), then passing a plain 0 as a function argument where a pointer is expected most definitely won't work: if the most natural stack slot and SP alignment unit is 16 bits, fitting an int, with longs and pointers taking up two such slots, then the call stack will be totally wrong with a plain 0 passed for a pointer. Casting the 0 to (char *) ought to be the most kosher solution for the most retro systems possible.
author Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
date Mon, 11 Feb 2019 00:00:19 +0000
parents 579441d7dcd8
children 3100f534340b
Ignore whitespace changes - Everywhere: Within whitespace: At end of lines:
rev   line source
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
1 [Historical note: this document was originally written in 2014 when the vision
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
2 of FreeCalypso was very different from what it is today. Since then we have
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
3 transitioned from making aftermarket hacks on pre-existing Calypso phones and
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
4 modems to producing and supporting our own FreeCalypso hardware products, and
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
5 our firmware work has changed from a nebulous dream to stable production code.
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
6 The ways in which we approach various technical aspects have changed
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
7 accordingly, but much of our documentation has been slow to catch up. The
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
8 documentation is now being updated, but there may still be some passages where
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
9 the old world view shines through.]
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
10
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
11 All TI GSM firmwares known to this author (Mother Mychaela of FreeCalypso)
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
12 implement some kind of flash file system, or FFS. Several different FFS code
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
13 implementations, and correspondingly several different on-flash data formats,
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
14 have been used throughout the history of TI's involvement in the wireless
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
15 terminal business. The FFS incarnation of primary interest to the FreeCalypso
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
16 project is the one invented by Mads Meisner-Jensen at TI in the early 2000s
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
17 (at least according to the comments in the sources available to us), and it is
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
18 relevant to us in the following ways:
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
19
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
20 * When targeting the GSM modem in Openmoko's GTA01/02 smartphones, we need to
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
21 work with the original FFS from the factory (call it MokoFFS), the same FFS
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
22 as used by the mokoN firmwares: this FFS contains the IMEI and the RF
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
23 calibration values from the factory, which we most certainly don't want to go
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
24 without.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
25
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
26 * The Leonardo firmware semi-src which we are using as the reference for
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
27 building our own full source, multi-target GSM fw contains a turnkey-working
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
28 implementation of this very FFS, using the on-flash format in question and
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
29 providing run-time APIs expected by the rest of the GSM fw suite. Following
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
30 the principle of ``if it ain't broke, don't fix it'', we use this FFS not
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
31 only on the gtamodem target, but also on other targets, including those where
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
32 we are starting from a blank state and thus have the freedom to use whatever
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
33 FFS we like.
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
34
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
35 * The original proprietary fw on the Pirelli DP-L10 phone also happens to use
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
36 an FFS in the same format, although Pirelli's FFS does *not* contain the IMEI
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
37 or any of the RF calibration values. This Pirelli phone was originally a
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
38 target of high interest for FreeCalypso, as we had high hopes of turning it
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
39 into a libre phone by way of our aftermarket firmware - but this plan has
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
40 since been abandoned when it became clear that Pirelli's hw is unsuitable for
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
41 aftermarket fw development because of the multitude of extra peripheral chips
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
42 for non-GSM functions which get in the way. In the earlier years of
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
43 FreeCalypso a lot of effort had been invested into studying all aspects of
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
44 the Pirelli DP-L10 phone and its original firmware, including the FFS.
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
45
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
46 Naming
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
47 ======
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
48
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
49 I have previously referred to the FFS format in question as Mokopir-FFS or
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
50 MPFFS, from "Moko" and "Pirelli". I was originally hesitant to call it TIFFS,
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
51 as lacking the source code, I had no way of knowing whether the FFS format and
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
52 implementation were of TI's own invention, or something that TI licensed as a
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
53 black box from one of their many proprietary software partners. (I was unable
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
54 to identify it as any well-known, industry-standard FFS format, but absence of
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
55 evidence is not evidence of absence.) But now that we have TI's original source
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
56 code which implements this FFS (first the MV100-0.1.rar source, then the full
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
57 Leonardo one), complete with comments and a HISTORY file, we know that our FFS
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
58 was invented and implemented by someone named Mads Meisner-Jensen at TI - I'm
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
59 guessing in the SSA group in Nice, France.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
60
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
61 I am now making a naming transition from MPFFS to TIFFS: there is really no
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
62 link between this FFS format and the Openmoko+Pirelli duo, other than the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
63 happenstance of me having first encountered this FFS on these two GSM device
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
64 brands, and the name TIFFS is more neutrally-descriptive.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
65
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
66 What it is
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
67 ==========
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
68
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
69 In a rare departure from TI's norm (most of TI's GSM firmware and associated
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
70 development tools suffer from heavy Windows poisoning), what I call TIFFS is
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
71 very Unixy. It is a file system with a hierarchical directory tree structure
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
72 and with Unixy forward-slash-separated, case-sensitive pathnames; the semantics
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
73 of "what is a file" and "what is a directory" are exactly the same as in UNIX;
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
74 and TIFFS even supports symlinks, although that support is a little under-
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
75 developed, and apparently no FFS symlinks were ever used in any production GSM
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
76 device. Thus the FFS implemented in TI-based GSM devices (modems and
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
77 "dumbphone" handsets) is really no different from, for example, JFFS2 in
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
78 embedded Linux systems.
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
79
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
80 (The only traditional UNIX file system features which are missing in TIFFS are
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
81 the creation/modification/access timestamps and the ownership/permission
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
82 fields.)
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
83
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
84 The FFS in a GSM device typically stores two kinds of content:
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
85
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
86 * Factory data: IMEI, RF calibration values, device make/model/revision
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
87 ID strings etc. These files are expected to be programmed on the factory
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
88 production line and not changed afterward.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
89
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
90 * Dynamic data written into the FFS in normal device operation: when you use a
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
91 "dumbphone" running TI-based firmware, every time you store something "on the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
92 phone" or in "non-volatile memory", that item is actually stored in the FFS.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
93 (Where else, if you think of it?) That includes contacts and received SMS
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
94 stored "on the phone" instead of the SIM, any selections you make in the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
95 settings/preferences menus which persist across reboots (power cycles), call
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
96 history etc.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
97
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
98 It needs to be noted that the "dynamic data" aspect of FFS usage applies not
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
99 only to complete phones, but also to modems like the one used in the GTA01/02.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
100 One would naively think that non-volatile storage of data in flash outside of
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
101 factory programming would be needed only in a device with its own UI, and that
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
102 a modem subservient to external AT commands would be completely stateless
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
103 across reboot/power cycles; but that is not the case in actuality. TI-baseed
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
104 GSM firmwares, including Openmoko's mokoN and our own FreeCalypso, are designed
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
105 to always "mount" their FFS with read/write access; TI's FFS implementation in
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
106 the firmware has no concept of a "read-only mount".
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
107
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
108 I am still investigating just what kinds of data are routinely written into the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
109 non-volatile FFS by the firmware in normal operation on devices like the GTA0x
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
110 modem, but there most definitely are some.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
111
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
112 There is no hard separation between "static" and "dynamic" data in the file
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
113 system structure; TIFFS is thus akin to an embedded Linux system with just a
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
114 single root file system containing both "static" files like userland binaries
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
115 and "dynamic" ones like configuration files under /etc which the user is
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
116 expected to edit with vi after logging into the box, or log and similar files
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
117 created by the system itself under /var, for example.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
118
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
119 Where it lives
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
120 ==============
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
121
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
122 The type of flash memory used in Calypso GSM modems and "dumbphones" is called
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
123 NOR flash. This NOR flash memory is physically divided (by the design of the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
124 flash chip itself) into units called "sectors" or more descriptively, erase
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
125 blocks. The typical NOR flash sector size (in Calypso GSM devices) ranges from
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
126 64 KiB in the GTA02 modem's NOR flash (4 MiB total) to 256 KiB in the
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
127 S71PL129NC0 flash+RAM chip used in the Pirelli DP-L10 and in our own FreeCalypso
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
128 hardware designs (16 MiB of flash total). The key physical property is that
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
129 any bit may be changed from a '1' to a '0' at any time, in any combination, but
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
130 resetting of '0' bits back to ones can be done only on the granularity of these
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
131 largish sectors, in an operation called "sector erase".
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
132
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
133 The location of TIFFS within the flash memory of a given GSM device is defined
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
134 by the firmware design of that device, but is always some integral number of
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
135 contiguous flash sectors. Some examples:
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
136
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
137 * On the GTA01/02 GSM modem, FFS occupies 7 sectors of 64 KiB each, starting at
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
138 flash offset 0x380000.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
139
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
140 * On the Pirelli DP-L10, the FFS used by the original proprietary fw occupies
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
141 18 sectors of 256 KiB each (for 4.5 MiB in total), starting at the beginning
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
142 of the 2nd flash chip select (0x02000000 in the ARM7 address space).
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
143
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
144 * On Motorola/Compal C139/140 phones, the FFS used by the original proprietary
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
145 fw occupies 5 sectors of 64 KiB each (320 KiB in total), starting at 0x370000.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
146 C11x/123 use smaller FFS configurations, whereas C155/156 seem to have
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
147 switched to some other FFS format, different from our familiar TIFFS.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
148
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
149 * On our own FreeCalypso hardware family we have put our FFS in the first 8
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
150 sectors (of 256 KiB each) in the 2nd flash chip select bank, which appears at
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
151 0x01800000 in the ARM7 address space instead of Pirelli's 0x02000000 because
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
152 we have wired the 2nd flash chip select to nCS2 on the Calypso instead of
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
153 Pirelli's nCS3.
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
154
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
155 * The smallest real FFS configuration called for by the table in dev.c in TI's
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
156 original Leonardo fw source is 3 sectors of 64 KiB each; the same table also
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
157 sports a 4 KiB x 4 configuration for RAM-based testing (emulation of FFS in
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
158 RAM without real flash).
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
159
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
160 * The largest FFS configuration that has been envisioned by the original
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
161 designers seems to be somewhere around 128 sectors.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
162
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
163 Each flash sector used for TIFFS begins with this 6-byte signature:
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
164
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
165 46 66 73 23 10 02
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
166
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
167 The first 4 bytes are 'Ffs#' in ASCII, and the following two bytes are the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
168 format version number of 0x0210 in little-endian byte order. The following two
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
169 bytes give a count of how many times that sector has been erased and rewritten
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
170 (FF FF in "fresh" or "virgin" FFS images), and the following byte indicates
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
171 that block's role and status in the FFS life cycle.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
172
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
173 How it works
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
174 ============
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
175
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
176 Just like JFFS2 and other high-quality flash file systems, TIFFS is designed to
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
177 recover gracefully from any possible power failure or crash: one can yank the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
178 battery from the GSM device (or induce a firmware crash) at the most mis-
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
179 opportune moment in the middle of an FFS write operation, and the FFS is
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
180 expected to recover on the next boot cycle. I won't be able to document here
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
181 all gory details of exactly how this goal is achieved, partly because I haven't
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
182 studied the code to the requisite level of depth myself yet, but all of the
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
183 responsible code lives under src/cs/drivers/drv_app/ffs in our fc-magnetite and
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
184 fc-selenite source trees; feel free to study it.
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
185
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
186 In its "normal" or "clean" state (i.e., when not in the middle of a write
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
187 operation or recovery from an ungracefully interrupted one), a TIFFS instance
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
188 consists of the following 3 types of blocks:
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
189
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
190 * One block containing inode records, indicated by AB in its type/flags/status
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
191 byte in the block header;
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
192 * N-2 blocks (where N is the total number of flash sectors allocated for the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
193 FFS) containing (or waiting to be filled with) data chunks - indicated by BD
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
194 in the type/flags/status byte;
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
195 * One "free" block, indicated by BF - destined to become a new AB or a new BD
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
196 at some point.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
197
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
198 Each object written into the FFS (file, directory or symlink) consists of a
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
199 16-byte inode record written into the AB block and a data chunk written into
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
200 one of the BD blocks. The data chunk includes the name of the object, hence
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
201 one is required even for directories. Data chunks are contiguous, uncompressed,
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
202 and subject to an upper size limit of 2048 or 8192 bytes, depending on the FFS
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
203 configuration. Files larger than this limit are stored in a "segmented" form,
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
204 giving rise to a 4th inode or object type (after file, directory and symlink):
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
205 segment. Each segment of a segmented file consists of not only a data chunk,
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
206 but also an inode record for the segment, which gives the location of the data
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
207 chunk and ties the segment object into the overall FFS structure, making it
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
208 accessible.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
209
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
210 Because aside from complete sector erasure, flash memory bits can only
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
211 transition from '1' to '0' but not the other way around, overwriting an existing
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
212 file with some new content (an operation which any reasonable file system must
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
213 implement in some way) cannot be done in place. Instead like most flash file
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
214 systems, TIFFS implements this common operation by writing the new version of
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
215 the file to a new location (previously blank flash) and then invalidating the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
216 old version - and doing all that while keeping in mind the possibility of an
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
217 ungraceful crash or powerdown at any moment, and the requirement of recovering
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
218 gracefully from any such event.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
219
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
220 Of course as an FFS receives more write activity, even if one keeps overwriting
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
221 some existing files with new content of the same size, without adding to the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
222 visible total content size (think du(1) command), eventually all remaining blank
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
223 flash space will fill up. At that point (or at some earlier point, depending
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
224 on the FFS design and/or configuration) the FFS has to invoke a compaction or
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
225 reclamation or garbage collection procedure: any "mixed" blocks containing both
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
226 valid and stale data are transitioned into a "stale-only" state by having the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
227 active data moved to a new block, and then the "all stale" blocks are subjected
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
228 to sector erasure, becoming new blank sectors. The logic responsible for these
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
229 operations once again needs to be resilient to the possibility of a crash or
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
230 powerdown occurring at the most mis-opportune moment, and it also needs to
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
231 implement flash wear leveling: there is a physical limit to how many times a
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
232 given flash sector can be erased and rewritten before it goes bad.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
233
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
234 All of the above are common and well-known principles, successfully implemented
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
235 in well-known flash file systems such as JFFS2 in Linux. TIFFS is absolutely
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
236 no different in this regard; for the implementation details, read the source
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
237 code.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
238
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
239 How this FFS comes into being
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
240 =============================
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
241
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
242 (This section is only relevant to you if you plan on physically producing your
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
243 own GSM phones or modems on your own factory production line, like we currently
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
244 do at our family company, or if you simply enjoy knowing how it is done.)
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
245
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
246 To my knowledge, TI never used or produced a tool akin to mkfs.jffs2 in the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
247 embedded Linux world, which would produce a TIFFS image complete with some
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
248 initial directory and file content "in vitro". Instead it appears that the FFS
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
249 instances found in shipped products such as Openmoko phones have been created
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
250 "in vivo" by TI's firmware running on the device itself during the "production
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
251 test" phase.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
252
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
253 We never got a copy of the original factory production line software that was
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
254 used by Openmoko, but we have successfully replicated the process using our own
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
255 Unix/Linux-based FreeCalypso host tools, the very same tools that are contained
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
256 in the present source package you are looking at. The process goes like this:
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
257
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
258 * When the printed circuit board is physically populated with components such
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
259 as the Calypso chip and the flash chip, the latter can be blank - if the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
260 board design has the nIBOOT pin pulled low, enabling the Calypso boot ROM
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
261 (Openmoko and Pirelli both good on this one, but shame on Compal!), there is
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
262 no need to preprogram the flash chip with anything prior to populating it on
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
263 the board, and the device remains fully unbrickable at all times afterward.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
264
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
265 * When the assembled board is powered up for the first time, with completely
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
266 blank flash, the Calypso boot ROM will sit there and patiently wait for a
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
267 code download on either of its two UARTs.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
268
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
269 * Using TI's FLUID (Flash Loader Utility Independent of Device) or FreeCalypso's
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
270 fc-loadtool free replacement, the factory production station loads the main
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
271 firmware image into the flash. Note, it is just the firmware image at this
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
272 step, and the FFS sectors remain blank.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
273
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
274 * The board is commanded to reboot (or power-cycled), and the firmware image
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
275 boots for the first time.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
276
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
277 * TI's FFS implementation code in their standard firmware reacts to all blank
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
278 flash in the FFS sectors as follows: it performs what they call the preformat
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
279 operation, writing the TIFFS signature and a BF state byte into every FFS
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
280 sector, but the main "format" operation, which sets up the AB/BD block roles,
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
281 creates the root inode and makes the FFS ready to accept the creation of its
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
282 first directories and files, is not done automatically.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
283
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
284 In order to perform the FFS format operation and then fill the new FFS with
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
285 whatever directories and files are deemed needed to be present in "fresh"
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
286 shipping products, the factory production station connects to the just-booted
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
287 firmware running on the target via the RVT/ETM protocol (see the RVTMUX
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
288 write-up), and sends "test mode" commands to this running firmware. These
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
289 "FFS test mode" (or TMFFS) commands include the format operation, an mkdir
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
290 operation to create directories, and a "file write" operation akin to doing
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
291 'cat > /dir/whatever/file', creating files in FFS and storing any desired data
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
292 in them.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
293
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
294 The IMEI is assigned and written into FFS in this process, but it is not the
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
295 only data item that will be unique for each individual device made. Much more
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
296 important are the RF calibration values; the factory calibration procedure does
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
297 the following for each individual unit:
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
298
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
299 * Measures the frequency offset produced by the VCXO as a function of the AFC
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
300 DAC control value and constructs the afcparams table based on these
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
301 measurements;
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
302
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
303 * Characterizes the dBm output of the Tx chain as a function of the APC DAC
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
304 control value and comes up with a set of these DAC values which produce Tx
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
305 power levels prescribed by the GSM 05.05 spec;
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
306
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
307 * Determines the correction values which need to be applied in order to set the
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
308 correct Rx path gains and to determine the true Rx signal level from the dBfs
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
309 power measurements made in the DSP from Rx I&Q samples.
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
310
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
311 These calibration procedures are performed by connecting a suitable RF test
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
312 instrument (R&S CMU200 is the industry gold standard) to the GSM device's
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
313 antenna connector or RF test port and running special calibration programs
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
314 which talk both to the CMU200 or other test instrument and to the L1TM (Layer 1
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
315 test modes) component in the DUT (device under test). In FreeCalypso hardware
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
316 manufacturing we use a CMU200 instrument which is itself maintained in good
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
317 calibration standing, and for the calibration software we use our own
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
318 fc-rfcal-tools which talk to the DUT via rvinterf.
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
319
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
320 All of the resulting calibration values are stored in a bunch of files under the
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
321 /gsm/rf subtree, and these files are "owned" by the L1 code. The latter has
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
322 RAM data structures which correspond to these files; upon normal boot the
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
323 initialization code looks in FFS, and if it finds any of the RF calibration
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
324 files, it reads each present file into the corresponding RAM data structure,
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
325 overwriting the compiled-in defaults. With TI's standard production calibration
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
326 procedure which we have replicated in our FreeCalypso hw manufacturing setup,
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
327 these RF calibration files in FFS come into being as follows:
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
328
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
329 * The Test Mode support code in L1 (i.e., part of the main GSM fw) performs the
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
330 measurements and stores results in its RAM data structures as commanded by
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
331 the production test station through the Test Mode interface;
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
332
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
333 * Certain special test mode commands encoded via the MISC_ENABLE opcode direct
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
334 the above L1TM code to write its RAM data structures into FFS.
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
335
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
336 See the RF_tables article for more information.
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
337
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
338 Compal and Pirelli differences
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
339 ==============================
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
340
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
341 The above description refers to TI's vanilla reference version, and it seems
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
342 like Openmoko (FIC) was the only phone/modem manufacturer (prior to us!) who
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
343 followed it without major deviations. In contrast, both Compal (Mot C1xx) and
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
344 Foxconn (Pirelli DP-L10) moved their vital per-unit factory data (IMEI and RF
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
345 calibration) out of the FFS into their own ad hoc flash data structures (which
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
346 are very difficult to reverse-engineer and make use of, unfortunately), leaving
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
347 their FFS only for less critical data.
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
348
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
349 In Compal's case (at least on the C139 model with which I have extensive
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
350 personal experience) the FFS stores only users' personal information and nothing
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
351 more. One can turn the phone off, use fc-loadtool to erase the FFS sectors, and
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
352 boot the regular fw back up; the fw will automatically do a new FFS format (it
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
353 even displays a message on the LCD as it does so) and carry on happily as a
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
354 "fresh" or "blank", perfectly functional and usable phone.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
355
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
356 In Pirelli's case, booting their official fw with blank FFS sectors will also
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
357 result in the FFS being automatically formatted, but their fw expects some
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
358 static "asset" files to be present in this FFS: UI graphics and language
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
359 strings, ringtones, firmware images for the WiFi and VoIP processors and some
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
360 static configuration files, about 3 MiB in total. Thus although the firmware
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
361 will auto-format the blank FFS sectors, it won't function normally with all of
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
362 these "asset" files missing. Foxconn's original factory production line station
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
363 must have uploaded these files to each phone via the TMFFS2 protocol, and our
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
364 FreeCalypso suite now features a tool that can replicate this feat: fc-fsio.
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
365
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
366 Aftermarket FFS for FreeCalypso on Compal & Pirelli targets
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
367 ===========================================================
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
368
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
369 When we run our own FreeCalypso fw on "alien" (not native to us) Mot C1xx and
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
370 Pirelli DP-L10 hardware, we don't use the FFS from their respectively original
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
371 firmwares: those original FFS instances don't contain any bits of interest to
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
372 us, trying to make our fw use the same FFS as Mot/Compal's or Pirelli's original
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
373 fw would be more trouble than benefit, and on one of the target devices in this
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
374 family (Mot C155/156) the original FFS is in some different format. Instead we
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
375 create our own aftermarket FFS for our FreeCalypso fw on these alien hw targets,
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
376 using a different flash location from the original so that the original fw's FFS
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
377 cannot be mistaken for our own.
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
378
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
379 On the Pirelli DP-L10 we put our aftermarket FFS in an area of the flash which
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
380 the official fw family uses as a staging area for over-the-air firmware updates,
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
381 thus as long as you are not doing official fw updates over WLAN (i.e., if you
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
382 only run one fixed official fw version or flash different official fw versions
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
383 with fc-loadtool without going through "fw update" protocols), our aftermarket
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
384 FFS used by our run-from-RAM FreeCalypso firmwares should remain undisturbed
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
385 while the phone is in the official fw mode.
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
386
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
387 The situation is different on Mot C1xx phones. The lower-end C1xx models
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
388 including the C139 (our primary hw target in this family) have too little RAM
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
389 to run our FreeCalypso fw entirely out of RAM without flashing; the C155/156
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
390 subfamily does have enough RAM to allow a complete FC GSM fw image to be loaded
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
391 and run via fc-xram under some conditions (we previously supported such usage
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
392 in our now-retired Citrine fw and may bring it back in the gcc-built config of
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
393 FC Selenite), but there is no place in the flash where we can put our
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
394 aftermarket FFS without overwriting some part of the original fw or its data -
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
395 thus our general procedure for running FreeCalypso on any C1xx model is to
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
396 convert the victim phone to FC on a long-term basis by flashing our modified
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
397 bootloader, flashing one of our fw builds and establishing a FreeCalypso
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
398 aftermarket FFS in a flash area designated by us.
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
399
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
400 It was already mentioned earlier that the factory RF calibration values on these
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
401 alien phones are stored in non-TIFFS flash data structures of Mot/Compal's or
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
402 Foxconn's invention, and our currently supported FreeCalypso firmwares
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
403 (Magnetite and Selenite) do not contain any code for reading these alien data
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
404 structures. (FC Citrine could read directly from Pirelli's factory data block,
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
405 but none of our fw offerings ever parsed Compal's weird flash records.) Instead
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
406 our current approach is to have an external tool extract the bits of interest
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
407 from the alien factory records, convert them to our TI-standard format if
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
408 necessary, and upload them into our FreeCalypso aftermarket FFS. The specifics
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
409 are as follows:
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
410
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
411 * The Pirelli DP-L10 is a breeze: simply run our special pirelli-magnetite-init
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
412 command in fc-fsio while connected to a Magnetite or Selenite fw instance
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
413 running with our aftermarket FFS, and the tool will copy both the IMEI and
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
414 the RF calibration records from Pirelli's factory data block into our
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
415 aftermarket FFS.
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
416
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
417 * Mot C1xx phones present a lot more hassle: our current official procedure is
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
418 to make a dump of the flash prior to the xenotransplantation procedure (also
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
419 serves as a backup), extract the RF calibration values with our c1xx-calextr
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
420 tool, and then later in the procedure when you initialize your aftermarket FFS
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
421 with fc-fsio, upload these extracted and format-converted RF calibration files
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
422 as one of the several steps involved. You will need to enter your IMEI
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
423 manually: we never figured out where Mot/Compal have it stored and how it is
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
424 obfuscated.
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
425
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
426 FreeCalypso host tools for TIFFS
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
427 ================================
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
428
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
429 Our FC host tools package supports TIFFS in two ways:
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
430
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
431 1) Our primary tool for working with GSM device file systems is fc-fsio. When
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
432 run against a compatible firmware version (primarily our own, but Pirelli's
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
433 proprietary fw is also compatible), fc-fsio allows various read and write
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
434 operations to be performed on the target device FFS.
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
435
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
436 2) We have a TIFFS In Vitro Analyzer (IVA) tool for "in vitro" examination of
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
437 FFS images that have been read out of raw flash with fc-loadtool. See the
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
438 TIFFS-IVA-usage article for more information.
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
439
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
440 In addition to the above, back in the days of Openmoko (back when the Openmoko
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
441 community was still active and we considered ourselves a part of it) we had
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
442 produced a kit for editing the modem FFS on Openmoko GTA01/02 devices, giving
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
443 users an easy way to change their /pcm/IMEI file. Changing IMEIs for no good
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
444 reason is completely pointless and is actually detrimental rather than helpful
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
445 for privacy, but whoever came up with the edicts that "the IMEI MUST be
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
446 immutable" had obviously failed Human Psychology 101: declaring something to be
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
447 forbidden causes people to want it simply because it is forbidden and for no
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
448 other reason - hence the popular demand for IMEI changing tools.
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
449
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
450 Our Openmoko FFS editing kit from early 2014 consisted of a very early version
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
451 of what much later became the present FC host tools package (more specifically,
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
452 it was before fc-fsio, and the set-imeisv command had been hacked into fc-tmsh
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
453 instead) plus a pair of "in vivo" FFS editing agent target binaries. Our
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
454 current FC host tools fully supplant the ancient version in that 2014 kit, but
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
455 we do not currently have a non-deprecated replacement for the old "in vivo" FFS
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
456 editing agent: those FFS editing agent binaries were built from our old gsm-fw
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
457 framework which was deemed to be a dead end in 2016 and fully retired in 2018.
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
458
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
459 We have not produced a new and actively maintained replacement for the "in vivo"
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
460 FFS editing function which was previously provided as a side product of the old
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
461 gsm-fw framework because we have no real need for it: the *only* use case we
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
462 have for it involves Openmoko devices, and even then only two special use cases:
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
463
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
464 1) If someone wishes to change their IMEI from within the FreeRunner (without
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
465 using an external serial cable) *or* while keeping an old firmware version
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
466 (without updating to moko13 or later), or
0
e7502631a0f9 initial import from freecalypso-sw rev 1033:5ab737ac3ad7
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents:
diff changeset
467
431
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
468 2) If someone has updated the modem fw on their FR to one of our current
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
469 releases, wishes to fix the /gsm/com/rfcap file to reflect the true tri900 or
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
470 tri850 band configuration of their device, but wishes to do it from within the
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
471 FR, without using an external serial cable.
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
472
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
473 If anyone does need to exercise one of the two special use cases listed above,
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
474 they can use the "in vivo" FFS editing agent binaries from the ancient
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
475 ffs-edit-kit-r1.tar.bz2 package - they are ancient, but will do the job just
579441d7dcd8 doc/TIFFS-Overview: long-overdue update for the current state of FC
Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
parents: 0
diff changeset
476 fine for both use cases in question.