Bus Pirate: Firmware upgrades on Linux, OSX

Bus Pirate firmware updates can be done from Linux or OSX using the Python PIC24F programmer developed by broeggle and JoseJX. The programmer works on all operating systems that support Python and pySerial: Linux, OSX, and Windows, too. Thanks for a great script!

Our step-by-step guide to the Python PIC24F programmer continues after the break.

Here’s some key stuff to get:

1. The programmer works with Python 2.x, not 3.x.
2. Get the pySerial module to give Python serial port access.
3. Download the latest Python PIC24F programmer script. Future firmware releases (>2.0) will include the Python programmer script.
4. Download the latest firmware. Copy the P24qp.ini configuration file and firmware .HEX to the same directory as the programmer script.
5. Get a 0.1″ jumper to place between the PGC and PGD pins, as described in the Windows quick programmer tutorial.

Install Python 2.x and the pySerial module. Download the firmware and programmer, move the required files into a convenient directory.

Disconnect the Bus Pirate from the USB cable (and power supply if applicable). Place a jumper between the PGC and PGD pins (A), as described in the Windows quick programmer tutorial. Plug the Bus Pirate back in.

C:\>cd python26

C:\Python26>python P24qp.py
Bus Pirate Programmer v1.0

P24qp <command>
-a –auto=FILE          – Erase, Program and Quit the Bootloader
-c –config=FILE        – P24qp compatible configuration file
(Default: ./P24qp.ini)
-e –erase              – Erase the flash programming
-f –finalize   – Finalize the programming and go to user mode
-i –info               – Information about the bootloader
-q –quiet              – Quiet messages about writing progress
-r –read=FILE          – Read programming from flash
-s –serial=DEVICE      – Override serial device path
-t –reset              – Reset the bootloader
-v                      – Enable verification of write commands
-w –write=FILE – Write programming file to flash

C:\Python26>

Run the programmer from the command prompt for a short description of the flags and options.

JoseJX recommends auto mode with verify, using the command:

P24qp.py -a <hexfile> -s <serial port> -v

Substitute <hexfile> with the name of the firmware .HEX file, something like v25-Firmware-v2.hex for the Bus Pirate v2go. Replace <serial port> with the device name you system assigned to the Bus Pirate’s FTDI USB->serial converter chip.

• Linux: /dev/ttyUSBx (/dev/ttyUSB0) or /dev/ttySx (/dev/ttyS1)
• OSX(?): /dev/cu.KeySerialx (/dev/cu.KeySerial1)
• Windows: COMx (COM3)

The serial port name can be tricky, hopefully these examples help. Replace ‘x’ with the number for your system. Look in the system dmesg to find the Bus Pirate on Linux, or in the control panel on Windows.

C:\Python26>python P24qp.py -a v25-Firmware-v2.hex -s COM5 -v
Using Serial Port COM5 @ 115200
Reading 4 bytes from address 0×00FF0000
Found PIC24FJ64GA002
Erase Flash:
Erasing 43 pages, starting at 0×00000000
Erase complete
Writing 256 bytes to address 0×00000000
Reading 256 bytes from address 0×00000000
Verification failed at 0×00000000: 0 != 4
Verification failed at 0×00000001: 4 != 12
Writing 256 bytes to address 0×00000080
Reading 256 bytes from address 0×00000080
Writing 256 bytes to address 0×00000100
…<<< This continues for awhile
Reading 256 bytes from address 0×0000AA80
Writing 256 bytes to address 0×0000AB00
Reading 256 bytes from address 0×0000AB00
Writing 256 bytes to address 0×0000AB80
Reading 256 bytes from address 0×0000AB80
Verified Okay.
Verification complete, switching to user mode

C:\Python26>

Ignore any verify errors at the beginning (0×0, 0×1) and between 0×400 and 0xbff, these are bootloader protected locations. A really nice thing about the Python programmer is that it knows to ignore errors in the protected bootloader section.

[Tux image]