Firmware update and resources

Question

Can anyone recommend a book or resource to help me understand how to update my firmware on my ARM (Atmel SAM4S) through the USB interface?

Lets assume I have a programmed and ready to go product for customers out there that they buy at the store. I will need to update the firmware through a website download, and customer update process on the PCB. Is there a clear method for how people do this, and again if there is documentation on this.

Any direction would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Brent

shabaz · Answer

Hi Brent,

I've not tried this on the 4S devices, but as far as I'm aware, they still can use the SAM-BA method.

Basically, there is software called SAM-BA which can push the code into the microcontroller.

The software has an API, so you can write your own code (e.g. using Visual Studio)* to have your nice

front-end for the user to download the latest code from your website and then push it via the API

to allow the microcontroller to be programmed.

SAM-BA has documentation (if you install it, go to the doc folder for the user guide) and examples folder for

example source code (I've not tried the source).

Actually getting the microcontroller ready to 'accept' firmware may be SAM4S-dependent, and will be

in the datasheet - it's likely to be a case of setting a pin high or low for a period of time while resetting the

microcontroller. So this implies that your product needs to have a way for the user to do this, or

for you to implement hardware to do this if (say) the user holds down a button on your product while

powering on, etc..

*SAM-BA is windows-only I think. However googling revealed a MacSamba that was freeware, which could

be useful for Apple users.

Firmware update and resources

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