[U-Boot] Error when replacing SPI NOR Flash IC

[RUSSELL Ryan]

Hello All,

We are currently having issues with a product after we replaced an obsolete SPI Flash IC with what we thought was a drop-in replacement part. Unfortunately we had this product designed by a third part company so I don't have all of the important details but I will try to get any additional information needed.

Our current circuit uses a ADSP-BF609BBCZ-5 Blackfin. We are using a NOR SPI Flash to boot the Blackfin. Initially in our design we used a N25Q128A13ESE40 flash from Micron but when it became obsolete we switched to S25FL127SABMFI101 from Cypress. The Cypress part appeared to be functional but after 6 weeks in the field we are seeing a high level of failures due to this part. As far as we can tell there are no environmental differences between products that have each part but products that contain the Cypress part are failing. When we take off the 'broken' part and replace it the board becomes functional again.

Is there something different about these parts that require a slightly different u-boot configuration that could cause the Flash to function initially but later become corrupt?

Best Regards,
Ryan J. Russell
Hardware Designer
Alstom Signaling


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