Flash memory size with RP2350 designs

[phil-barrett]

The RP2040 shipped with a winbond W25Q16 (2MB) chip. The reference designs for the RP235x use a W25Q128 (16MB). Looking at the various configurations of grblHAL that can be built, it looks like 2MB is more than sufficient. I'm still playing with the configurations to find the largest but have yet to find one that is more than 350 KB. Is there any reason to go for the larger memory chip?

[terjeio]

Is there any reason to go for the larger memory chip?

Likely not, but there has been some interest in using grblHAL for automation projects where gcode is stored in flash (littlefs).
A recent commit separated streaming from files from the SD card handling so now it is possible to configure grblHAL for such use without having to enable SD card support. And the WebUI interface has been updated to allow running files stored in flash as well. So some may want more space in flash for littlefs.

[phil-barrett]

Good point. I will set up the board to take either chip so it is a build-time option.

I will need to look into LittleFS in more detail. I think even in the 2MB version, we could dedicate 1MB to a little FS partition and leave 1MB for code. That might be enough to be useable. Though, a 15 MB LittleFS partition would be a lot better.

I looked into WebUI a while ago so it is time I should take another look.