Bootloader Field Uploader

syndetic1 · Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 92

I have devices in the field with a bootloader installed and new firmware can be uploaded by serial using the MCS boot loader program that runs on a PC.

PLAN A
What I would like is a device that I can preload with the new firmware and send to the customer. They would then plug it onto the serial port of my device and press a button and that would send the firmware up and the boot loader would do the rest.

So this is NOT programming by UPDI or ISP or that sort of thing. It's firmware upgrade over serial using the MCS boot loader protocol (Basically X-Modem).

Does anyone know if such a device happens to exist?

OR PLAN B ( Develop )
I was thinking possibly use a raspberry pi in a box with a battery and write a uploader in Python. If PLAN A does not eventuate, is anyone interested in doing Plan B?
Thoughts on this path are welcome too.

Thanks, in advance, Frank

(BASCOM-AVR version : 2.0.8.7 )

plouf · Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Posts: 111 Location: Athens,Greece

And the reason updates can NOT updated woth a laptop infield?

Above devices do not exist reasft, but you can build one obviously

JC · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 639 Location: Cleveland, OH

Is Plan C an option?

Alan has a standalone AVR programmer.
https://www.avrfreaks.net/s/topic/a5C3l000000UWEbEAO/t137703?page=1

You pre-load the program, fuse settings, etc.
You then plug this into the ISP / PDI header on the PCB and it programs the micro.

It uses standard ISP / PDI programming, not the Bootloader, but it might at least give you an idea of what is possible and what is already available.

JC

albertsm · Joined: 09 Apr 2004 Posts: 6274 Location: Holland

A plan A device can be made with various options and at low cost.
But it depends on the parameters.
- will you send a device to the customer and does he return it?
- or will you send an SD card to the customer?
- or does the customer download firmware and copies it to an SD card?
- is there some DB-9 connector or what kind of serial interface is there?
- when customer sends device back it can be a simple AVR processor with SPI memory.
- when customer get SD or use SD it need to be an AVR with more memory.
- can the device be powered from the device it updates? or must it have a battery/power cord.
The protocol is in the bootloader.bas and is simple but what does the customer do? is there a reset button. or does he replug the device.
The bootloader once loaded works good and simple and messing with fuses etc is not a good idea IMO.

If you want something to be developed you can contact support.