# PC Engines APU1

This page describes how to run coreboot on PC Engines APU1 platform.

## Technology

CPU | AMD G series T40E APU
CPU core | 1 GHz dual core (Bobcat core) with 64 bit support 32K data + 32K instruction + 512KB L2 cache per core
DRAM | 2 or 4 GB DDR3-1066 DRAM
Boot | From SD card, USB, mSATA, SATA
Power | 6 to 12W of 12V power
Firmware | coreboot with support for iPXE and USB boot

## Flashing coreboot

Type | Value
--- | ---
Socketed flash | no
Model | MX25L1606E
Size | 2 MiB
Package | SOP-8
Write protection | jumper on WP# pin
Dual BIOS feature | no
Internal flashing | yes

### Internal programming

The SPI flash can be accessed using flashrom. It is important to execute command with a `-c <chipname>` argument:

    flashrom -p internal -c "MX25L1606E" -w coreboot.rom

### External programming

IMPORTANT: When programming SPI flash, first you need to enter apu1 in S5 (Soft-off) power state. S5 state can be forced by shorting power button pin on J2 header.

The external access to flash chip is available through standard SOP-8 clip or SOP-8 header next to the flash chip on the board. Notice that not all boards have a header soldered down originally. Hence, there could be an empty slot with 8 eyelets, so you can solder down a header on your own. The SPI flash chip and SPI header are marked in the picture below. Also there is SPI header pin layout included. Notice, that signatures at the schematic can be ambiguous:

- J12 SPIDI = U35 SO = MISO

- J12 SPIDO = U35 SI = MOSI

There is no restrictions as to the programmer device. It is only recommended to flash firmware without supplying power. External programming can be performed, for example using OrangePi and Armbian. You can exploit linux_spi driver which provide communication with SPI devices. Example command to program SPI flash with OrangePi using linux_spi:

    flashrom -w coreboot.rom -p linux_spi:dev=/dev/spidev1.0,spispeed=16000 -c
    "MX25L1606E"

apu1 platform with marked in SPI header and SPI flash chip

SPI header pin layout

### Schematics

PC Engines APU platform schematics are available for free on PC Engines official site. Depending on the configuration: apu1c and apu1d.