|

|  How to Fix Incorrect Handling of Flash/EEPROM Writes: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Fix Incorrect Handling of Flash/EEPROM Writes: Step-by-Step Guide

October 14, 2024

Step-by-step guide for firmware developers in C to fix incorrect Flash/EEPROM writes. Learn best practices and common pitfalls to enhance your code's reliability.

How to Fix Incorrect Handling of Flash/EEPROM Writes: Step-by-Step Guide

 

Understand the Incorrect Handling of Flash/EEPROM Writes

  • Identify specific code segments where improper writing to Flash/EEPROM occurs, such as by careless data manipulation or inadequate error handling.
  • Review the memory map and ensure that you're not writing to protected or invalid memory regions.
  • Analyze any logs or error messages that specify the nature of the writing issues, which can often reveal timing or access violations.

 

Ensure Correct Page/Block Alignment

  • Determine the block or page size for your specific Flash/EEPROM. Misalignment can cause data corruption.
  • Align your data writes with these boundaries to ensure that whole blocks/pages are written instead of partial ones.
  • Modify your write functions to pad incomplete pages/blocks when necessary, preventing misalignment:
#define PAGE_SIZE 256
void align_and_write(uint8_t *data, uint32_t address, size_t size) {
    uint32_t pageOffset = address % PAGE_SIZE;
    uint32_t bytesToPad = (pageOffset + size + PAGE_SIZE - 1) / PAGE_SIZE * PAGE_SIZE - (pageOffset + size);
    
    // Implementation of padding and writing...
}

 

Handle Write Interruptions Gracefully

  • Flash/EEPROM writes can often be interrupted by power loss. Ensure your process has checks to verify data integrity post-write.
  • Implement a write-verification step where the written data is read back and compared to the original data. Retry or log any discrepancies.
  • Use non-volatile context storage mechanisms, such as CRC checks, to validate data integrity after unexpected reboots.

 

Implement Concurrency Controls

  • Ensure that Flash/EEPROM writes are not accessed concurrently by multiple routines without proper safeguards.
  • Use mutexes or semaphores for more granular control over access to shared resources, minimizing the risk of race conditions.
  • Example of using a semaphore in C to guard write operations:
#include <semaphore.h>

sem_t flash_sem;

void init_resources() {
    sem_init(&flash_sem, 0, 1);
}

void write_flash_safe(uint8_t *data, uint32_t address, size_t size) {
    sem_wait(&flash_sem);
    // Perform write operation...
    sem_post(&flash_sem);
}

 

Implement Wear-Leveling and Error-Correction

  • To maximize the lifespan of your EEPROM/Flash, distribute writes evenly across the entire memory space.
  • Implement wear-leveling algorithms that shift data around to unused sections of memory before overwrite cycles reach their limit.
  • Use error correction methods, such as Reed-Solomon or Hamming codes, to add resilience against bit errors.
  • Adapt algorithms to your system's specific constraints and performance requirements for optimal results.

 

Test and Validate

  • Conduct extensive testing with various scenarios to ensure new procedures don't introduce unintended side effects.
  • Use unit tests to validate individual functions code under conditions they are most prone to fail during regular operations.
  • Leverage static analysis tools to examine whether any new caveats have been introduced post-fix implementation.

 

Pre-order Friend AI Necklace

Pre-Order Friend Dev Kit

Open-source AI wearable
Build using the power of recall

Order Now

OMI AI PLATFORM
Remember Every Moment,
Talk to AI and Get Feedback

Omi Necklace

The #1 Open Source AI necklace: Experiment with how you capture and manage conversations.

Build and test with your own Omi Dev Kit 2.

Omi App

Fully Open-Source AI wearable app: build and use reminders, meeting summaries, task suggestions and more. All in one simple app.

Github →

Join the #1 open-source AI wearable community

Build faster and better with 3900+ community members on Omi Discord

Participate in hackathons to expand the Omi platform and win prizes

Participate in hackathons to expand the Omi platform and win prizes

Get cash bounties, free Omi devices and priority access by taking part in community activities

Join our Discord → 

OMI NECKLACE + OMI APP
First & only open-source AI wearable platform

a person looks into the phone with an app for AI Necklace, looking at notes Friend AI Wearable recorded a person looks into the phone with an app for AI Necklace, looking at notes Friend AI Wearable recorded
a person looks into the phone with an app for AI Necklace, looking at notes Friend AI Wearable recorded a person looks into the phone with an app for AI Necklace, looking at notes Friend AI Wearable recorded
online meeting with AI Wearable, showcasing how it works and helps online meeting with AI Wearable, showcasing how it works and helps
online meeting with AI Wearable, showcasing how it works and helps online meeting with AI Wearable, showcasing how it works and helps
App for Friend AI Necklace, showing notes and topics AI Necklace recorded App for Friend AI Necklace, showing notes and topics AI Necklace recorded
App for Friend AI Necklace, showing notes and topics AI Necklace recorded App for Friend AI Necklace, showing notes and topics AI Necklace recorded

OMI NECKLACE: DEV KIT
Order your Omi Dev Kit 2 now and create your use cases

Omi Dev Kit 2

Endless customization

OMI DEV KIT 2

$69.99

Perfect for developers and tech enthusiasts who want to start creating immediately.

Has 64gb of on-board memory, a speaker, vibration and a programmable button.

Comes fully assembled, doesn't require technical skills to set up.

 

IMPORTANT: On backorder. Shipping end of November 2024.

Learn more

Omi Dev Kit 2: build at a new level

Key Specs

OMI DEV KIT

OMI DEV KIT 2

Microphone

Yes

Yes

Battery

4 days (250mAH)

2 days (250mAH)

On-board memory (works without phone)

No

Yes

Speaker

No

Yes

Programmable button

No

Yes

Estimated Delivery 

-

1 week

What people say

“Helping with MEMORY,

COMMUNICATION

with business/life partner,

capturing IDEAS, and solving for

a hearing CHALLENGE."

Nathan Sudds

“I wish I had this device

last summer

to RECORD

A CONVERSATION."

Chris Y.

“Fixed my ADHD and

helped me stay

organized."

David Nigh

OMI NECKLACE: DEV KIT
Take your brain to the next level

LATEST NEWS
Follow and be first in the know

Latest news
FOLLOW AND BE FIRST IN THE KNOW

San Francisco

team@basedhardware.com
Title

Company

About

Careers

Invest
Title

Products

Omi Dev Kit 2

Openglass

Other

App marketplace

Affiliate

Privacy

Customizations

Discord

Docs

Help