Stand-alone utility to load hex files into target?

[jandidden]

I am not sure my question makes sense, but here goes:
When 'compile to target' FC compiles the source to ultimately a hex file and downloads that to the target chip, connected via USB.
In my case an ESP32_wroom.
Does a utility exist that takes this hex file and downloads it to the target without using FC?
Something I could give to a user to update the software when the need arises?
Or how would you guys do that sort of thing?

Jan

[mnfisher]

Hi Jan,

The FC esp toolset uses

Idf.py -p COM5 flash

This also works from the command line - though needs to be in the right directory etc I'm not sure if it uses a fixed file name or gets it from a config file..

Would need to check whether this calls another lower level tool. There is one I experimented with to load data into a set aside area of memory, but would need to check my notes.

Martin

[jandidden]

I guess you also need to tell it which hex file to flash, right?

I'll see if I can find any documentation for it.
Also I guess with this the guy/gal doing the flashing must have a python on his system.

Jan

[mnfisher]

You'll need Python installed for sure. If you are in the correct directory you don't have to specify a file - but whether it has a standard name of is pulled from the config files?

The esp32 has support for OTA (over the air) updates if you want to get really flash. Suspect it needs a fair bit of setup to get working though

Check out esptool.py as well.

Martin

[chipfryer27]

Guys

This sounds "just the job" for my TRS-80.....

With the aid of a small estate car you can easily transport it to location, and with a mighty tsunami of 500 Baud coming out of that cassette interface you would only need one night in a Premier Inn (other hotels are available) whilst it downloaded the Hex....

Just need to come up with an audio sine to USB......

Hoots....

[mnfisher]

I'd volunteer to do that!

Jan - it depends on your target audience. I think most people now would expect to upgrade using an app on their phone. Expecting folk to install some of the esp32 toolchain, connect via USB etc might be asking a lot of them?

Another option - 'socket' the esp32 and then just offer a 'swap' - plug in for more features (as the esp32 boards are fairly cheap) - but it depends how often upgrades are likely.

OTA should be 'doable' - (see https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp ... m/ota.html) I've worked with partition maps in FC - and that part is pretty easy. It would be worth looking at some OTA examples (there are several in the espressif examples folder (something like espressif/frameworks/esp-idfvinstalled/examples). I've posted a couple of examples of using the espressif C code in FC - which saves a lot of rewriting.

Martin

[BenR]

OTA example here if you want to have a go.
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=526

[mnfisher]

Thanks Ben,

I'd missed that thread...

Martin