v1.7 - Jun 2019
20 |
P a g e
Firmware Upgrades
From version 10 the BlueFlyVario models include a bootloader so you can upgrade the firmware. The
firmware is the chunk of code on the microprocessor which makes the Bluefly wield its magic.
Normally you need a special microcontroller programmer to update the firmware, however with the
bootloader you can do it over a serial connection without the special programmer.
The ds30loader bootloader
The bootloader is a small section of code which runs before the main firmware code. The
BlueFlyVario uses a modified version of the ds30loarder. To use the bootloader you will need the
ds30loader gui PC application. You can download it from the support page of the website.
Firmware Versions
The firmware is contained in a .hex file. From version 10 a new numbering system for firmware was
implemented. Firmware can be downloaded from the support page of the website. The numbering
scheme works like this:
BlueFlyVario_{DEVICE_TYPE}_v{MODEL_NO}.{TYPE_NO}{SUB_VERSION_NO}.hex where:
o
{DEVICE_TYPE} = Bluetooth, TTL_GPS or USB
o
{MODEL_NO} is associated with a particular series of hardware. (i.e. version 10 for
the version 10 models).
o
{TYPE_NO} is associated with the DEVICE_TYPE (Bluetooth = 1, TTL_GPS = 2 and USB
= 3).
o
{SUB_VERSION_NO} is the version of the firmware.
For example BlueFlyVario_Bluetooth_v10.102.hex is the second release of firmware for model 10
Bluetooth hardware.
Upgrade Process
Step 1 - Get the software
Get the
ds30loader gui application
and make sure it runs on your pc. Download the right
version of
the firmware
you will need for your BlueFlyVario model.
Step 2 - Prepare the hardware
You will need access to the programming pads on the pcb so you can short pads #2 and #5 (on v10
hardware) or short SCA to Ground (on v11 hardware). You might need to disassemble the Bluefly so
you can access the pads. A small hole in the heatshrink might be sufficient. See the images below for
an indication of which pads I am talking about.
