Boot Sequence

Boot Process

Syscon

Syscon powers up and sets up DRAM, sets up boot context buffer, turns on the cmep processor that starts the Boot ROM.

Boot ROM

The PS Vita main application processor is an ARM Cortex A9 MPcore. It implements ARM TrustZone for execution in both a non-secure world and a sandboxed Secure World. However it is not the first processor to run on boot.

The cmep processor is the actual secure boot device rather than the ARM processor. The cmep processor bootrom ("first loader") is the first code running on PS Vita start. Once it starts it likely maps the eMMC and directly reads in the second_loader.enp or second_loader.enp_ from the eMMC SLB2 partition. This is in the native load format of the bootrom. There are 2 layers of encryption. First it decrypts the per-console layer that was added during the firmware installation. After that it decrypts the factory-encrypted layer then begins execution. See Enc.

The Second Loader is primarily responsible for preparing the ARM processor. It initializes DRAM and decrypts kernel_boot_loader.self from eMMC SLB2 partition into DRAM. It also writes the ARM exception vector and some boot context information to the 32kB scratch buffer (mirror mapped to 0x00000000 on ARM). kernel_boot_loader.self contains both the secure kernel bootloader and TrustZone, as well as the non-secure kernel bootloader. At this point the kprx_auth_sm.self and prog_rvk.srvk read from the eMMC SLB2 partition are both loaded into DRAM. Finally, the Second Loader resets itself with a pointer to the secure_kernel.enp or enp_ binary.

Cmep processor then restarts and loads the secure_kernel.enp in and again decrypts the per-console layer that was added during the firmware install, and the factory layer. At this point the cmep processor is prepared and Secure Kernel tells Syscon to reset the ARM CPU at 0x00000000 (cmep scratch buffer). This triggers the ARM secure boot process.

Secure Kernel Bootloader

The secure kernel bootloader decompresses the ARZL compressed TrustZone kernel, loads it and sets up the VBAR and MVBAR. It then decompresses the ARZL non-secure kernel bootloader, sets NS in SCR and jumps into non-secure kernel bootloader with svc mode. See Kernel Boot Loader for more information.

Non-secure Kernel Bootloader

The non-secure kernel bootloader contains an embedded and likely stripped version of SceSysmem, SceKernelModulemgr, SceSblSmschedProxy, and some other core drivers. The NSKBL sets up the eMMC device (again) and starts os0:psp2bootconfig.skprx.

ScePsp2BootConfig

This kernel module does not export any library. It only has a module init function that has a hard coded list of core kernel modules (ex: sysmem.skprx) which are loaded with calls back into NSKBL through SceKblForKernel imports. Once the core initialization is done, the next module to run is SceSysStateMgr.

FW 0.931 special case

On FW 0.931, NSKBL embeds the kernel modules list in data segment instead of using the ScePsp2BootConfig kernel module. Here is the list:

sysmem.skprx

excpmgr.skprx

intrmgr.skprx

systimer.skprx
acmgr.skprx
threadmgr.skprx
dmacmgr.skprx

ssproxy.skprx

smsc_proxy.skprx

authmgr.skprx

iofilemgr.skprx
modulemgr.skprx
processmgr.skprx

backtrace.skprx
sdbgsdio.skprx
deci4p_sdfmgr.skprx
deci4p_sttyp.skprx
deci4p_sdbgp.skprx
deci4p_sdrfp.skprx
stdio.skprx
lowio.skprx
clockgen.skprx
sdif.skprx
sdstor.skprx

fatsd.skprx
exfatfs.skprx

pamgr.skprx
sysstatemgr.skprx

SceSysStateMgr

This kernel module also does not export any library. Its init function first maps all the SceKernelBootimage embedded modules and redirects them to os0:kd/. Then it decrypts os0:psp2config.skprx or os0:psp2config_vita.skprx or os0:psp2config_dolce.skprx and parses the System Configuration Script to load the remaining modules and finally either SceSafemode or SceShell or ScePsp2Swu or ScePsp2Diag.

Boot Partition

The boot partition is SLB2 formatted. It contains entries these files:

Name	Earliest Known Version	Comments
kernel_boot_loader.self	0.931	Secure KBL and ARZL compressed NS KBL
kprx_auth_sm.self	0.931	Used with the cmep processor to decrypt SELFs
prog_rvk.srvk	0.931	SCE encrypted SELF revocation list
second_loader.enp	0.931	Secure bootloader
second_loader.enp_	0.931	Related to second_loader.enp in some way, likely for encryption
secure_kernel.enp	0.931	Secure kernel loader
secure_kernel.enp_	0.931	Related to secure_kernel.enp in some way, likely for encryption
secure_kernel.xxx	0.931	Prototype secure kernel loader encrypted differently than secure_kernel.enc

System Configuration Script

See also: SceSysStateMgr.

os0:psp2config.skprx once decrypted is a UTF-8 text file that is parsed by SceSysStateMgr. It is a simple script format.

If "Producting Mode" (MANUFACTURING_MODE) is enabled, then it is possible to load psp2config.skprx from sd0: (SD adapter in GameCard slot) or ux0:. However, the files must still be signed and encrypted SELFs. In "Producting Mode" if sd0:psp2diag.self or ux0:psp2diag.self exists (and is a valid signed and encrypted SELF), then it will be launched. If "Development Mode" (DEVELOPMENT_MODE) is enabled (note that this does not necessarily mean PDEL nor DevKit), then psp2config.skprx can be a plaintext file instead.

Comments

Comments start out with #.

As an example, here is the header of FW 1.69 psp2config.skprx:

#
# PSP2 System Configuration for Release
#
# [NOTICE]
# 
# This configuration is only for kernel_boot_loader_release.self.
#

Conditionals

Conditionals start with if and end with endif. There are certain conditional constants defined in SceSysStateMgr. A table of known conditionals is below.

Name	Description
MANUFACTURING_MODE	When the unit is in Manufacturing Mode (enabled by Jig), it tries to load psp2diag.self from sd0: or ux0:. This a diagnosis tool (this file has never been leaked). This info comes from Ernie NVS.
EXTERNAL_BOOT_MODE	If set, SceSysStateMgr skips bootimage.skprx load. Depends on some condition set on boot by some bootloader.
UPDATE_MODE	Set by Syscon when an update is about to be performed. This info comes from Ernie NVS. In this case, psp2swu.self is loaded.
USB_ENUM_WAKEUP	This flag is set when the PS Vita boots due to USB CMA connection while device is turned off or USB automatic boot in IDU mode.
KERMIT_REV_ES1_X	GPU hardware revision related. Does not support the Home Menu. Loads vs0:vsh/shell/shell_mini.self instead of shell.self.
KERMIT_REV_ES2_X	GPU hardware revision related.
KERMIT_REV_ES3_X	GPU hardware revision related.
KERMIT_REV_ES4_X	GPU hardware revision related.
KERMIT15_REV_ES1_X	Unknown.
KERMIT10_REV_ES4_X	Unknown.
UD0_EXIST	Does the ud0: Partition exist. This info comes from ?sceIoGetstatForDriver?.
DEMO_MODE	Is the PS Vita IDU Mode / Show Mode flagged. This info comes from Syscon.
BSOD_REBOOT	Must the PS Vita boot in BSOD mode? This info comes from Ernie NVS. In this case, os0:kd/crashdump.skprx is loaded. Once the home menu appears a warning message about bad shutdown risks is displayed.
SAFE_MODE	Is the PS Vita in safe mode. This info comes from Ernie NVS. In this case, os0:ue/safemode.self is loaded.
DEVELOPMENT_MODE	SceSblACMgr is called to check if device is a development device and is in DevMode. This info comes from CP DIP Switches.
AU_CODEC_IC_CONEXANT	An audio IC chip from CONEXANT that could be seen only on PS Vita (not PSTV) CEX and DEX (not TOOL) units. This info comes from KBL Param#Hardware_flags. In this case, codec_cx.skprx is loaded instead of codec.skprx.

Example:

if SAFE_MODE
spawn	os0:ue/safemode.self
end
endif

Spawn

spawn path will spawn an app and continue processing the script in the background.

spawnwait path will spawn an app and wait for it to exit before continuing processing the script.

appspawn path param is used to spawn the app self located at path with the parameter param.

Known param constants:

Name	Description
SHELL_BUDGET_ID	Unknown. Example modules: vs0:vsh/shell/shell.self and vs0:vsh/shell/shell_mini.self
GAME_BUDGET_ID	Unknown. Example module: vs0:vsh/shell/shell_gamebudget.self

All codes (from FW 0.990)

load, unload, loadonly, start, stop, unloadonly, spawn, spawnwait, wait, kill, loadconfig, ifmodel, ifnmodel, setenv, setmodfile, repeat, endrepeat, appspawn, tload

+ include, if, endif, end

Boot Debug Checkpoint Codes

During the boot sequence, the various bootloaders will update a GPIO register specifying the progress into boot. This can be used to debug where in the boot process something fails.

Second Loader checkpoint codes start at 0x40 (e.g. GPO value 0x52 corresponds to SBL code 0x12).

GPIO

The GPIO registers are registered at 0xE20A000C (turn off bits) and 0xE20A0008 (turn on bits). On PDEL units, this maps to the LED lights.

Known Codes

Code	Location	Description
64 / 0x40	second_loader (0.931)	SBL finished successfully
65 / 0x41	second_loader	Some Hardware Info check complete - GPO intiailization OK?
66 / 0x42	second_loader (0.931)	ERROR: some Syscon communication failed
67 / 0x43	second_loader	ERROR: some Syscon communication failed (Register bigmac key 0x508 and 0x51B complete)
68 / 0x44	second_loader	ERROR: ?some check with keyring 0x501 and Cmep data? failed
69 / 0x45	second_loader	ERROR: ?LPDDR2 initialization failed?
70 / 0x46	second_loader	Setting QA flags to bigmac keyring complete
71 / 0x47	second_loader (0.931)	Calling testMemory
72 / 0x48	second_loader (0.931)	ERROR: ?SD/eMMC initialization failed?
73 / 0x49	second_loader (0.931)	ERROR: ?reading/loading/... kernel_boot_loader.self failed?
74 / 0x4A	second_loader (0.931)	ERROR: ?SD/eMMC I/O error?
75 / 0x4B	second_loader (0.931)	WARNING: Reading ConsoleID from eMMC failed
76 / 0x4C	second_loader (0.931)	ERROR: ?starting ARM clock failed? (cannot happen on FW 0.931)
77 / 0x4D	second_loader (0.931)	ERROR: Writing 0x502-0x504/0x50B/... keyring failed (?SNVS init failed?) (cannot happen on FW 0.931)
78 / 0x4E	second_loader (0.931)	ERROR: SBL version mismatch with SVNS-stored firmware version
79 / 0x4F	second_loader (0.931)	ERROR: testMemory failed (dummy in 0.931, cannot happen)
80 / 0x50	second_loader (0.931)	About to copy keyrings 0x602/0x601 to physical address 0xE0020100/0xE0020100
82 / 0x52	second_loader	Emmc is not available
83 / 0x53	second_loader	WARNING: Reading OpenPSID from eMMC failed
84 / 0x54	second_loader	ERROR: Minimal firmware read failed / SBL version is lower than minimal firmware
85 / 0x55	second_loader	WARNING: Something related to Syscon communication failed? (Setting factory firmware version to Bigmac keyring complete)
86 / 0x56	second_loader
87 / 0x57	second_loader (0.931)	WARNING: ???
89 / 0x59	second_loader (0.931)	WARNING: ???
90 / 0x5A	second_loader	About to write SceKblParam to SPAD32K
94 / 0x5E	second_loader (0.931)	ERROR: SVNS-stored firmware version is lower than minimal firmware
96 / 0x60	second_loader	Setting SceKblParam complete and Start setting some device clock.
129 / 0x81	Secure Kernel BootLoader	Core 0 (secure world) pre-init complete
130 / 0x82	Secure Kernel BootLoader	Secure world interrupts registered (?)
131 / 0x83	Secure Kernel BootLoader	Serial console ready, boot message printed
132 / 0x84	Secure Kernel BootLoader	Some device init
133 / 0x85	Secure Kernel BootLoader	Some co-processor init. Starting point for other cores.
134 / 0x86	Secure Kernel BootLoader	MMU enabled, VBAR/MVBAR set up
135 / 0x87	Secure Kernel BootLoader	Nothing since 134
136 / 0x88	Secure Kernel BootLoader	Boot setup complete, secure kernel loading begin
137 / 0x89	Secure Kernel BootLoader	Secure kernel loaded. About to load NS KBL at 0x51000000
138 / 0x8A	Secure Kernel BootLoader	Secure kernel loaded. About to resume context at 0x1F000000. Or undefined instruction exception.
139 / 0x8B	Secure Kernel BootLoader	SVC exception (should not happen, error)
140 / 0x8C	Secure Kernel BootLoader	Prefetch abort exception
141 / 0x8D	Secure Kernel BootLoader	Data abort exception
142 / 0x8E	Secure Kernel BootLoader	IRQ exception (should not happen, error)
143 / 0x8F	Secure Kernel BootLoader	FIQ exception (should not happen, error)
161 / 0xA1	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	Core 0 (non-secure world) pre-init complete
162 / 0xA2	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	Some interrupts registered (?)
163 / 0xA3	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	Serial console ready, boot message printed (if enabled)
164 / 0xA4	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	Some buffer is initialized to device addresses
165 / 0xA5	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	Some co-processor init. Starting point for other cores.
166 / 0xA6	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	MMU enabled, VBAR set up
167 / 0xA7	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	Nothing since 166
168 / 0xA8	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	Boot setup complete, NS kernel loading begin
169 / 0xA9	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	Kernel pre-init (setup stacks, interrupts, etc) done. Right before first external loading.
170 / 0xAA	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	Undefined instruction exception
171 / 0xAB	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	SVC exception (should not happen, error)
172 / 0xAC	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	Prefetch abort exception
173 / 0xAD	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	Data abort exception
174 / 0xAE	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	IRQ exception (should not happen, error)
175 / 0xAF	Non-Secure Kernel BootLoader	FIQ exception (should not happen, error)

Suspend and Resume

Upon suspension, context is written to memory and a syscon command is issued to save the context pointer as well as other information (for example, if it should restart into update mode). When resuming, the boot process is the same as cold boot up until the secure kernel bootloader. After secure kernel loads, instead of decompressing and jumping to the non-secure kernel bootloader, it restores the saved context and returns to the kernel resume code.

See also Suspend.