How to send boot files over uart - serial-port

I have a beaglebone black board. A host with 64 bit ubuntu14.04
I wanted to transfer uImage file over uart to beaglebone.
So I stopped at u-boot and type
U-Boot# loadb
## Ready for binary (kermit) download to 0x80200000 at 115200 bps...
Now it is waiting for the file. What I have to do in order to send the uImage from pc to board.

After the loadb command prints "Ready for binary download", exit from the terminal(minicom, putty etc). Note down the serial device (eg: /dev/ttyUSB0). Install kermit or its variants (eg: gkermit and ckermit are available in Ubuntu).
Assuming that /dev/ttyUSB0 is your serial device, baudrate is 115200, and no flow control is used, provide the following parameters to kermit
$kermit
kermit> set port /dev/ttyUSB0
kermit> set speed 115200
kermit> set carrier-watch off
kermit> set flow-control none
Now issue the command send , to send the file over serial line:
kermit> send filename
After the file transfer is successful, exit from kermit (use exit command), and re-open minicom. Now you can issue further commands.
NOTE : You can explicitly specify a load address to loadb. If not specified, U-boot takes load address from environment variables.
NOTE-2 : Some terminal programs have built-in facility to send files over serial line using protocols like xmodem or kermit.

Related

Problem Flashing nrf52 chip using Openocd

I have a custom nrf52 chip on a pcb with swd pins exposed. I have cloned and installed the latest openocd from https://github.com/ntfreak/openocd. The latest version includes all the latest pathes for the nrf52 chip, so no need for any additional changes as suggested in many older guides online. I am able to connect to the chip using ST-LinkV2. when connected I can read and write memory locations using mdw and mdb. I can also run some basic openocd commands like dump_image e.t.c, which confirms that the setup is good. But halt and program commannds always lead to errors like:
JTAG failure -4
JTAG failure -4
JTAG failure -4
JTAG failure -4
JTAG failure -4
JTAG failure -4
target halted due to debug-request, current mode: Thread
xPSR: 00000000 pc: 00000000 msp: 00000000
jtag status contains invalid mode value - communication failure
Polling target nrf52.cpu failed, trying to reexamine
Examination failed, GDB will be halted. Polling again in 100ms
Previous state query failed, trying to reconnect
jtag status contains invalid mode value - communication failure
Polling target nrf52.cpu failed, trying to reexamine
if I try to use flash image_write I get the error,
JTAG failure
Error setting register
error starting target flash write algorithm
Failed to enable read-only operation
Failed to write to nrf52 flash
error writing to flash at address 0x00000000 at offset 0x00000000
in procedure 'dap'
jtag status contains invalid mode value - communication failure
Polling target nrf52.cpu failed, trying to reexamine
I have read different guides online, and one of the possible solutions involves the APPPROTECT register which has to be disabled to enable any writes to flash.
APP_PROTECT, But the dap commmand which is supposed to help us access this bit,
dap apreg 1 0x04 0x01
returns an error:
invalid subcommand apreg 1 0x04 0x01
Please, I will like to know if anyone has had success programming a new empty nrf52 chip with the stlink-v2 and the steps which are necessary, or if any one has encountered similar problems. Thanks.
Here is my config file:
#nRF52832 Target
source [find interface/stlink.cfg]
transport select hla_swd
source [find target/nrf52.cfg]
#reset_config srst_nogate connect_assert_srst
I solved the "protected nRF52" chip problem this way, on Windows, using a Particle.io Debugger https://store.particle.io/products/particle-debugger setup to program nRF52 chips from Arduino as described in https://www.forward.com.au/pfod/BLE/LowPower/index.html
Note: The recovery process described here does NOT need Arduino to be installed
Download OpenOCD-20181130.7z pre-compiled openocd for windows from
http://gnutoolchains.com/arm-eabi/openocd/
The latest version of openocd src on https://github.com/ntfreak/openocd should also work as it includes the apreg cmd in target\arm_adi_v5.c
unzip, open cmd prompt to unzip dir, enter cmd
bin\openocd.exe -d2 -f interface/cmsis-dap.cfg -f target/nrf52.cfg
response
Info : auto-selecting first available session transport "swd". To override use '
transport select <transport>'.
adapter speed: 1000 kHz
cortex_m reset_config sysresetreq
Info : Listening on port 6666 for tcl connections
Info : Listening on port 4444 for telnet connections
Info : CMSIS-DAP: SWD Supported
Info : CMSIS-DAP: FW Version = 1.10
Info : CMSIS-DAP: Interface Initialised (SWD)
Info : SWCLK/TCK = 1 SWDIO/TMS = 1 TDI = 0 TDO = 0 nTRST = 0 nRESET = 1
Info : CMSIS-DAP: Interface ready
Info : clock speed 1000 kHz
Info : SWD DPIDR 0x2ba01477
Error: Could not find MEM-AP to control the core
Info : Listening on port 3333 for gdb connections
Open telnet program eg teraTerm and connect to localhost on port 4444, i.e. 127.0.0.1 telnet port 4444
cmd window shows
Info : accepting 'telnet' connection on tcp/4444
in telnet (i.e. teraTerm) type
nrf52.dap apreg 1 0x04
returns 0 <<< chip protected
then
nrf52.dap apreg 1 0x04 0x01
then
nrf52.dap apreg 1 0x04
returns 1 << chip un-protected
then power cycle board
Can now use arduino ide to flash softdevice and code low power BLE
Even though the dap command is listed by openOCD help, it isn't implemented for transport hla_swd that you have to use with ST-Link.
If the ST-Link is a generic type from China, it can be upgraded to CMSIS-DAP which uses the swd transport and supports the nrf52.dap apreg 1 0x04 0x01 command to disable the readback protection and erase the flash. You'll need another ST-Link to do that, or you can instead install CMSIS-DAP on a generic STM32F103C8T6 board.
After that you can either use ST-Link to program the nRF52 or continue using CMSIS-DAP, which can also be used to program STM32 MCU.
Nucleo board embedded ST-Links can also be upgraded to J-Link, which allow the use of the "recover" option in nRFgo Studio to erase the flash, it should also work with "nrfjtool --recover" or OpenOCD.
If anyone encounters this problem, I solved the problem by getting an original Jlink-Edu. I also had to pull the reset pin of the microcontroller high to get the jlink working.
There are lots of JTAG messages.
I think you might be missing the
transport select hla_swd
line in your (board) cfg file. The NRF5x chips only work properly with SWD, and ST-Link uses the hla_swd variant.

Unable to remote debug gdbserver over serial port

I'm trying to remote debug using gdbserver.
I connect my target device to my PC through USB port using this command to open terminal controlling my device :
minicom -D "/dev/ttyUSB0".
Now on my target device, I need to run gdbserver with this cmd:
gdbserver /dev/my_USB_serial_port my_Program.
However, I can't find ttyUSB0, all I got ís a bunch of ttyx(with x is a number) as below:
~ # /dev/tty
tty tty14 tty20 tty27 tty33 tty4 tty46 tty52 tty59 tty8
tty0 tty15 tty21 tty28 tty34 tty40 tty47 tty53 tty6 tty9
tty1 tty16 tty22 tty29 tty35 tty41 tty48 tty54 tty60 ttyS0
tty10 tty17 tty23 tty3 tty36 tty42 tty49 tty55 tty61 ttyS1
tty11 tty18 tty24 tty30 tty37 tty43 tty5 tty56 tty62
tty12 tty19 tty25 tty31 tty38 tty44 tty50 tty57 tty63
tty13 tty2 tty26 tty32 tty39 tty45 tty51 tty58 tty7
How could I find which one is the correct serial port of my USB port ?
Update 1: As Employed Russian mentioned in the answer, I got confused about the USB port but I still couldn't connect to gdbserver using his command.
However, I can't find ttyUSB0
You are confused -- of course you will not find ttyUSB0 on the target -- the target doesn't have anything plugged into its USB port.
On the target, you want to run gdbserver - my_Program &, then disconnect minicom, and finally use gdb and target remote /dev/ttyUSB0 on the host.
Make sure getty isn't running on the same serial port as gdbserver on the target.
If you've got an interactive shell with minicom, check the serial port (usually ttyS0) on the target that's connected to it. If it's ttyS0, you start gdbserver on some other port, and connect another FTDI cable from that port to a second USB port on your host.

'screen /dev/ttyUSB0' with different options such as databit, parity, etc

I am trying to use
screen /dev/ttyUSB0
to connect to a old computer(s) through a USB-serial interface.
I have not figured out to put the correct options in my command line to get a non-gibberish feedback from my computer (the text received is all screwed up).
My operating system is CentOS, with GNOME 2.16.0.
I see that there is a program called KPPP which has a "Terminal...", but I haven't figured that one out either. So I am trying to use CLI with 'screen', but I am having trouble setting the correct parameters (obviously, I do not understand how to put these parameters to use with stty). It is not an option installing applications or doing anything with this computer, so I have to use what's already there. 'screen' seems to do the job, but the text received is gibberish as mentioned earlier ("$$#%idj ldj", etc.)
I need these parameters for computer one:
Baud: 9600 Databit: 8 Parity: No Stopbit: 2 Flow control: Hardware.
For computer two I need:
Baud: 9600 Databit: 7 Parity: Even Stopbit: 1 Flow control: Hardware
The baud rate is easy;
screen /dev/ttyUSB0 9600
But what to do with the rest, I do not know. I have found the option for stop bits:
cstopb (use two stop bits)
-cstopb (use one stop bits)
But how do I use it correctly?
screen /dev/ttyUSB0 9600 -cstopb
or
screen /dev/ttyUSB0 9600,-cstopb
How can I connect to the other computer through serial interface with all of the listed parameters?
I have found this manual for stty.
Is databit the same as this option?
cs5 cs6 cs7 cs8
Select character size (see termio(M)).
Parity:
parodd (-parodd)
Select odd (even) parity.
Stopbit:
cstopb (-cstopb)
Use two (one) stop bits per character.
But what about hardware control?
Anyway; this is still not working;
screen /dev/ttyUSB0 9600 cs8 oddp cstop
or
screen /dev/ttyUSB0 9600 cs7 evenp -cstop
I don't think Screen has support for all these different serial port settings. Only the most basic parameters are supported.
You're already in the correct direction by looking at the stty manual, but you have to use stty as a separate tool from Screen:
First you configure your serial port, and then you connect to it using Screen.
To configure your serial port for computer 1:
# stty - change and print terminal line settings
#
# -F /dev/ttyUSB0 Change the settings of /dev/ttyUSB0
# cs8 Use 8 character bits
# -parenb Don't use a parity bit (the '-' means 'disable')
# crtscts Enable RTS/CTS handshaking (hardware flow control)
stty -F /dev/ttyUSB0 cs8 -parenb cstopb crtscts
After you've configured your port, you can start using it trough screen:
# screen - screen manager with VT100/ANSI terminal emulation
#
# /dev/ttyUSB0 Use /dev/ttyUSB0 as terminal
# 9600 Open the serial port using 9600 baud
screen /dev/ttyUSB0 9600
The same applies for your second computer:
# stty - change and print terminal line settings
#
# -F /dev/ttyUSB0 Change the settings of /dev/ttyUSB0
# cs7 Use 7 character bits
# parenb Enable the a parity bit
# -parodd Don't use ODD, but use EVEN parity
# -cstopb Don't use 2 stopbits, but just the regular 1
# crtscts Enable RTS/CTS handshaking (hardware flow control)
stty -F /dev/ttyUSB0 cs7 parenb -parodd -cstopb crtscts
Then you can launch Screen at 9600 baud:
# screen - screen manager with VT100/ANSI terminal emulation
#
# /dev/ttyUSB0 Use /dev/ttyUSB0 as terminal
# 9600 Open the serial port using 9600 baud
screen /dev/ttyUSB0 9600
This should do the trick. You can find much more configuration options in the help of stty:
stty --help
Commas between options are required!
To enable RTS/CTS flow control, use the following:
screen /dev/ttyS0 9600,crtscts
Note: Not all USB-to-RS-232 converters implement the hardware flow control!
Read Linux / UNIX Minicom Serial Communication Program for detailed instructions and use about Minicom.
Minicom is similar to GTKTerm and is the industry standard for serial port communication.

Unable to program NodeMCU

This question is related to this, Cannot program ESP8266, but different settings.
I have a NodeMCU devkit v1, its comercial name is NodeMCU v2. I tried different setting to connect the devkit.
First the devkit has a usb-serial bridge (CP2102) and voltage adapter from 5v (USB) to 3.3v. So I connect the devkit with the machine via USB. The driver is installed correctly, and I can see the com, it is COM3.
After turning on the NodeMCU I can see a Wifi AI-THINKER-adfe21.
Then I tried with the nodemcu-flasher - WINDOWS.
Without any button or pin to ground. I press Flash in the flasher and stay Waiting MAC and the log says Begin Find ESP8266 as the question I told in the begin and the ESP's led (blue led) blinks.
Holding FLASH, press RESET, release FLASH. Still the same like 1.
Wire D3 (GPIO0) to GND. Same result
With ESPtool - LINUX - Trying these commands
python2 esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 read_mac
python2 esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 write_flash 0x00000 firmware.bin
Without any button or pin to ground. The output for the commands was Connecting... A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP8266
Holding FLASH, press RESET, release FLASH. Same
Wire D3 (GPIO0) to GND. Same result.
Via Arduino IDE, I installed the ESP8266 board and selected NodeMCU 1.0. The result to try upload some code -> warning: espcomm_sync failed error: espcomm_open failed
I tryed to connect the NodeMCU without the USB. Using an Arduino UNO, connecting like following... And I'm getting the same errors.
UNO | NodeMCU
5v -> Vin
GND -> GND
Rx -> Tx
Tx -> Rx
The last test I made, it is with Putty or Arduino SerialMonitor connect to the COM3 or /dev/ttyUSB0 and turning on the NodeMCU. I should see some characters or garbage if it in different baud rate. But I got nothing, the terminal is blank. I restart the NodeMCU, put it in Flash mode. No response.
Are there some solution, tip or trick to make it programmable?
PS: I know the NodeMCU is in Flash mode because its wifi disappear.
EDIT:
I discovered something.
I just connected the NodeMcu with a mobile charger and connect the D0 to Serial ground and D3 to Serial Rx. On the putty with 115200 Baudrate, I'm able to get the following code on reset.
node : sta(mac address) + softAP(mac address)
add if0
add if1
dhcp server start:(ip:192.168.4.1, mask:255.255.255.0,gw:192.168.4.1)
bcn 100
I have been working with both the node-mcu flasher and the esptool.
First in the esptool yo should use more parameter in the call. Use something like this
python esptool.py -p SERIAL_PORT_NAME --baud 9600 write_flash --flash_size=8m 0 firmware-combined.bin
Be careful with the baudrate, i always use 9600.
If you prefer using the windows program you should only connect the ESP8266 through usb and dont connect any other pin. If it still gives you problems you should check that u have installed the com ports.
Good Luck
if you are using esptool (either in Linux or windows), you should include -fm and -fs inside the esptool command. There will be no response if you did not include those 2 parameter even though it show successfully upload. you can refer the detail in this youtube tutorial or its description for flashing firmware in nodemcu V2 or v1.0.
esptool.py --port [serial-port-of-ESP8266] write_flash -fm [mode] -fs [size] 0x00000 [nodemcu-firmware].bin
Tutorial on how to flash firmware using esptool(windows):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHrm7axsImI
cheers!
Maybe you can try this setting.
$sudo esptool.py -p /dev/ttyUSB0 --baud 115200 write_flash -fs 16m -fm qio -ff 0x00000 firmware.bin

How to get the ESP8266 to work in update mode?

I have been trying to get my WiFi module, ESP8266 to work in the "update mode" where you connect GPIO_0 to ground.
The board is functional when GPIO_0 is disconnected from ground and I am able to use AT commands to talk to it via the Arduino serial monitor.
Following is what it prints upon connecting:
ets Jan 8 2013,rst cause:4, boot mode:(3,6)
wdt reset
load 0x40100000, len 1396, room 16
tail 4
chksum 0x89
load 0x3ffe8000, len 776, room 4
tail 4
chksum 0xe8
load 0x3ffe8308, len 540, room 4
tail 8
chksum 0xc0
csum 0xc0
2nd boot version : 1.4(b1)
SPI Speed : 40MHz
SPI Mode : DIO
SPI Flash Size & Map: 8Mbit(512KB+512KB)
jump to run user1 # 1000
rrlÌÿ
Ai-Thinker Technology Co.,Ltd.
ready
However, I cannot do most things as the firmware is out of date.
As a result, I am trying to update it (with no success)
When I set it to update mode and use the python tool "esptool.py", the script fails to connect to the ESP board.
Following is the command:
python esptool.py -p /dev/ttyUSB0 write_flash 0x00000 "/home/aditya/Desktop/v0.9.2.2 AT Firmware.bin"
Following is the output:
Connecting...
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "esptool.py", line 532, in <module>
esp.connect()
File "esptool.py", line 159, in connect
raise Exception('Failed to connect')
Exception: Failed to connect
I have even run the Windows counterpart of this tool "ESP Flasher" with no luck
The one who helps will be given a cookie (unless you value privacy)
This tool (esptool.py) works with a ROM bootloader, which is only started if GPIO_0 is tied to the GND during hardware reset. Bootloader also times out pretty fast, so just connecting GPIO_0 to the ground is not enough.
For me, following works:
Connect TXD/RXD/GND/VCC to the PC and CH_PD to VCC;
Make sure I can talk to the firmware via terminal (picocom/minicom/etc);
Connect GPIO_0 to the GND;
Connect RST to GND;
Release RST;
Run esptool.py
If still no dice, swap 5 and 6 above, i.e. first run esptool.py, then (as quickly as possible) release/disconnect RST. You will only have a second or two before esptool.py times out.
Try making the ground of all devices connected: if you have a level shifter inbetween, make sure the GND is tied to the GND of Arduino and also to the RS232 GND.

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