The Bootloader
The Bootloader is independent software on the FlashCard. It‘s task is writing new
Firmware versions in the memory of the microcontroller. The bootloader can not be
exchanged.
The FlashCard‘s Bootloader is equipped with multiple security systems that prevent the
Card from malfunctioning if an error occurs during an upgrade attempt.
Using the Bootloader (Bootloader V1.00)
Since the bootloader has the transmission speed set to 2400 Baud, independent of the
setting in the Firmware, you must first switch HTerm to 2400 baud.
To activate the Bootloader, Press and hold “Anykey.“
While still holding “Anykey,“ press “Reset,“ hold for one second and release “Reset.“ (This
disconnects the FlashCard from the PC and HTerm.) Continue holding “Anykey.“
After about 4 seconds of holding “Anykey,“ the Status-LED will glow green. While still
holding “Anykey,“ hit the “Disconnect“ button on HTerm, then hit it again to “Connect.“ (Try
to do this before the Status-LED turns red.)
About 3 seconds later, the Status-LED will glow red. Now you can release “Anykey.“ The
Status-LED will glow yellow, meaning the bootloader is now ready to write a new Firmware
to the Microcontroller.
If reconnecting was successful, you should see "send data“ in HTerm’s Received Data
window
Note: After you release “Reset,“ the computer will be able to reconnect with the FlashCard.
However, depending on your computer’s setup (processor type, CPU speed, etc) the
reconnection might take more, or less, time than indicated.
Also, the “send data“ text is only visible if you are able to click the “Connect“ button in
HTerm before the “send data“ text is sent by the FlashCard. This occurs between the
green and red Status-LEDs. Even if “Connect“ is not clicked quickly enough, it probably
won‘t matter. The important thing to remember is, as long as the Status-LED glows yellow,
the FlashCard is ready to accept the new Firmware.
Now you can send the new Firmware Version to the Card by clicking the "send file“ button
and choosing the new firmware file.
Once transfer is complete, hit “Reset“ on the FlashCard
On HTerm, hit the "disconnect“ button, then the "connect“ button, then change the
Baudrate to 9600 baud.
Hit “Anykey“ – this should display menu on data window
Hit "S“ - this should display system info, including the newly updated
firmware version number.
If the Firmware doesn't work or a different file is sent, the first security system will abort the
update process and the message “Data does not match to this board – please reset“
appears. The Status-LED will glow red until a reset is done. In this case, the old firmware
is not overwritten and does still work.
Should a faulty file be accepted accidentially, another security system will stop the
FlashCard from becoming unusable.
The FlashCard can be overwritten by starting the Bootloader again. This is always
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