15. Updating Device Firmware

TeleMega, TeleMetrum v2, EasyMega, EasyMini and TeleDongle v3 are all programmed directly over their USB connectors (self programming). TeleMetrum v1, TeleMini and TeleDongle v0.2 are all programmed by using another device as a programmer (pair programming). It’s important to recognize which kind of devices you have before trying to reprogram them.

You may wish to begin by ensuring you have current firmware images. These are distributed as part of the AltOS software bundle that also includes the AltosUI ground station program. Newer ground station versions typically work fine with older firmware versions, so you don’t need to update your devices just to try out new software features. You can always download the most recent version from http://www.altusmetrum.org/AltOS/

15.1. Updating TeleMega, TeleMetrum v2, EasyMega, EasyMini or TeleDongle v3 Firmware

Self-programmable devices are reprogrammed by connecting them to your computer over USB.

  1. Attach a battery if necessary and power switch to the target device. Power up the device.
  2. Using a Micro USB cable, connect the target device to your computer’s USB socket.
  3. Run AltosUI, and select Flash Image from the File menu.
  4. Select the target device in the Device Selection dialog.
  5. Select the image you want to flash to the device, which should have a name in the form <product>-v<product-version>-<software-version>.ihx, such as EasyMini-v1.0-1.6.0.ihx.
  6. Make sure the configuration parameters are reasonable looking. If the serial number and/or RF configuration values aren’t right, you’ll need to change them.
  7. Hit the OK button and the software should proceed to flash the device with new firmware, showing a progress bar.
  8. Verify that the device is working by using the Configure Altimeter or Configure Groundstation item to check over the configuration.

15.1.1. Recovering From Self-Flashing Failure

If the firmware loading fails, it can leave the device unable to boot. Not to worry, you can force the device to start the boot loader instead, which will let you try to flash the device again.

On each device, connecting two pins from one of the exposed connectors will force the boot loader to start, even if the regular operating system has been corrupted in some way.

TeleMega
Connect pin 6 and pin 1 of the companion connector. Pin 1 can be identified by the square pad around it, and then the pins could sequentially across the board. Be very careful to not short pin 8 to anything as that is connected directly to the battery. Pin 7 carries 3.3V and the board will crash if that is connected to pin 1, but shouldn’t damage the board.
EasyMega
Connect pin 6 and pin 1 of the companion connector. Pin 1 can be identified by the square pad around it, and then the pins could sequentially across the board. Be very careful to not short pin 8 to anything as that is connected directly to the battery. Pin 7 carries 3.3V and the board will crash if that is connected to pin 1, but shouldn’t damage the board.
TeleMetrum v2
Connect pin 6 and pin 1 of the companion connector. Pin 1 can be identified by the square pad around it, and then the pins could sequentially across the board. Be very careful to not short pin 8 to anything as that is connected directly to the battery. Pin 7 carries 3.3V and the board will crash if that is connected to pin 1, but shouldn’t damage the board.
EasyMini
Connect pin 6 and pin 1 of the debug connector, which is the six holes next to the beeper. Pin 1 can be identified by the square pad around it, and then the pins could sequentially across the board, making Pin 6 the one on the other end of the row.
TeleDongle v3
Connect pin 32 on the CPU to ground. Pin 32 is closest to the USB wires on the row of pins towards the center of the board. Ground is available on the capacitor next to it, on the end towards the USB wires.

Once you’ve located the right pins:

  1. Turn the altimeter power off.
  2. Connect a battery.
  3. Connect the indicated terminals together with a short piece of wire. Take care not to accidentally connect anything else.
  4. Connect USB
  5. Turn the board power on.

The board should now be visible over USB as AltosFlash and be ready to receive firmware. Once the board has been powered up, you can remove the piece of wire.

15.2. Pair Programming

The big concept to understand is that you have to use a TeleMetrum v1.0, TeleBT v1.0 or TeleDongle v0.2 as a programmer to update a pair programmed device. Due to limited memory resources in the cc1111, we don’t support programming directly over USB for these devices.

If you need to update the firmware on a TeleDongle v0.2, we recommend updating the altimeter first, before updating TeleDongle. However, note that TeleDongle rarely need to be updated. Any firmware version 1.0.1 or later will work, version 1.2.1 may have improved receiver performance slightly.

15.2.1. Updating TeleMetrum v1.x Firmware

  1. Find the programming cable that you got as part of the starter kit, that has a red 8-pin MicroMaTch connector on one end and a red 4-pin MicroMaTch connector on the other end.
  2. Take the 2 screws out of the TeleDongle v0.2 or TeleBT v1.0 case to get access to the circuit board.
  3. Plug the 8-pin end of the programming cable to the matching connector on the TeleDongle v0.2 or TeleBT v1.0, and the 4-pin end to the matching connector on the TeleMetrum. Note that each MicroMaTch connector has an alignment pin that goes through a hole in the PC board when you have the cable oriented correctly.
  4. Attach a battery to the TeleMetrum board.
  5. Plug the TeleDongle v0.2 or TeleBT v1.0 into your computer’s USB port, and power up the TeleMetrum.
  6. Run AltosUI, and select Flash Image from the File menu.
  7. Pick the TeleDongle v0.2 or TeleBT v1.0 device from the list, identifying it as the programming device.
  8. Select the image you want put on the TeleMetrum, which should have a name in the form telemetrum-v1.2-1.0.0.ihx. It should be visible in the default directory, if not you may have to poke around your system to find it.
  9. Make sure the configuration parameters are reasonable looking. If the serial number and/or RF configuration values aren’t right, you’ll need to change them.
  10. Hit the OK button and the software should proceed to flash the TeleMetrum with new firmware, showing a progress bar.
  11. Confirm that the TeleMetrum board seems to have updated OK, which you can do by plugging in to it over USB and using a terminal program to connect to the board and issue the v command to check the version, etc.

If something goes wrong, give it another try.

15.2.2. Updating TeleMini Firmware

You’ll need a special programming cable to reprogram the TeleMini. You can make your own using an 8-pin MicroMaTch connector on one end and a set of four pins on the other.

  1. Take the 2 screws out of the TeleDongle v0.2 or TeleBT v1.0 case to get access to the circuit board.
  2. Plug the 8-pin end of the programming cable to the matching connector on the TeleDongle v0.2 or TeleBT v1.0, and the 4-pins into the holes in the TeleMini circuit board. Note that the MicroMaTch connector has an alignment pin that goes through a hole in the PC board when you have the cable oriented correctly, and that pin 1 on the TeleMini board is marked with a square pad while the other pins have round pads.
  3. Attach a battery to the TeleMini board.
  4. Plug the TeleDongle v0.2 or TeleBT v1.0 into your computer’s USB port, and power up the TeleMini
  5. Run AltosUI, and select Flash Image from the File menu.
  6. Pick the TeleDongle v0.2 or TeleBT v1.0 device from the list, identifying it as the programming device.
  7. Select the image you want put on the TeleMini, which should have a name in the form telemini-v1.0-1.0.0.ihx. It should be visible in the default directory, if not you may have to poke around your system to find it.
  8. Make sure the configuration parameters are reasonable looking. If the serial number and/or RF configuration values aren’t right, you’ll need to change them.
  9. Hit the OK button and the software should proceed to flash the TeleMini with new firmware, showing a progress bar.
  10. Confirm that the TeleMini board seems to have updated OK, which you can do by configuring it over the radio link through the TeleDongle, or letting it come up in “flight” mode and listening for telemetry.

If something goes wrong, give it another try.

15.2.3. Updating TeleDongle v0.2 Firmware

Updating TeleDongle v0.2 firmware is just like updating TeleMetrum v1.x or TeleMini firmware, but you use either a TeleMetrum v1.x, TeleDongle v0.2 or TeleBT v1.0 as the programmer.

  1. Find the programming cable that you got as part of the starter kit, that has a red 8-pin MicroMaTch connector on one end and a red 4-pin MicroMaTch connector on the other end.
  2. Find the USB cable that you got as part of the starter kit, and plug the “mini” end in to the mating connector on TeleMetrum v1.x, TeleDongle v0.2 or TeleBT v1.0.
  3. Take the 2 screws out of the TeleDongle v0.2 or TeleBT v1.0 case to get access to the circuit board.
  4. Plug the 8-pin end of the programming cable to the matching connector on the programmer, and the 4-pin end to the matching connector on the TeleDongle v0.2. Note that each MicroMaTch connector has an alignment pin that goes through a hole in the PC board when you have the cable oriented correctly.
  5. Attach a battery to the TeleMetrum v1.x board if you’re using one.
  6. Plug both the programmer and the TeleDongle into your computer’s USB ports, and power up the programmer.
  7. Run AltosUI, and select Flash Image from the File menu.
  8. Pick the programmer device from the list, identifying it as the programming device.
  9. Select the image you want put on the TeleDongle v0.2, which should have a name in the form teledongle-v0.2-1.0.0.ihx. It should be visible in the default directory, if not you may have to poke around your system to find it.
  10. Make sure the configuration parameters are reasonable looking. If the serial number and/or RF configuration values aren’t right, you’ll need to change them. The TeleDongle v0.2 serial number is on the “bottom” of the circuit board, and can usually be read through the translucent blue plastic case without needing to remove the board from the case.
  11. Hit the OK button and the software should proceed to flash the TeleDongle v0.2 with new firmware, showing a progress bar.
  12. Confirm that the TeleDongle v0.2 board seems to have updated OK, which you can do by plugging in to it over USB and using a terminal program to connect to the board and issue the v command to check the version, etc. Once you’re happy, remove the programming cable and put the cover back on the TeleDongle v0.2.

If something goes wrong, give it another try.

Be careful removing the programming cable from the locking 8-pin connector on TeleMetrum. You’ll need a fingernail or perhaps a thin screwdriver or knife blade to gently pry the locking ears out slightly to extract the connector. We used a locking connector on TeleMetrum to help ensure that the cabling to companion boards used in a rocket don’t ever come loose accidentally in flight.