Firmware update

alpha and omega boards are delivered with the latest version of MicroPython preinstalled, ready to use.

The board’s firmware can be updated as newer versions of MicroPython are released, to profit from the latest features.

MicroPython firmwares for alpha and omega boards are customized versions of the official MicroPython firmware.

Firmware versions

The firmware files for all our boards can be downloaded from our company downloads page.

In the zip files we provide both the dfu and the hex file for your convenience. The firmware inside is identical.

Firmware update procedure

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to update your board’s MicroPython firmware under Microsoft Windows 10.

Download and install the following tools:

Zadig	Zadig is used to install the USB driver needed to connect to the board.
dfu-util	dfu-util (DFU Device Firmware Update) is used to flash MicroPython to the board.
PuTTY	PuTTY is used to send commands to your board.

Then follow the update procedure according to your board:

Download the MicroPython firmware which corresponds to your board and extract the compressed files.

Copy the dfu firmware file you want to flash to the dfu-util folder - where dfu-util.exe is located.
Connect alpha:ONE to your computer over USB, open Zadig and install the required USB driver.
Put your board into dfu mode using one of the following procedures:
1. Hardware:
  1. Hold down the USR switch.
  2. While still holding down USR, press and release the reset switch RST.
  3. The PLED will then cycle continously between four different colors.
  4. Let go of the USR switch while the PLED is white.
  5. The PLED will quickly flash white four times, and then turn off. The board is now in dfu mode.
2. Software:
  1. Open Device Manager, under Ports (COM & LPT) locate the COM port corresponding to your board.
  2. Open PuTTY, select Serial and type in the COM port name under Serial Line (e.g. COM10), leave Speed at 9600 and click Open. The REPL prompt will appear, stating the current MicroPython version.
  3. Use the following code to put the board in dfu mode:
    pyb.bootloader()
  4. PuTTY shows that REPL lost connection, the board is now in dfu mode.
Open Command Prompt, and navigate to the dfu-util folder,where dfu-util.exe is located.
Verify that alpha:ONE is found by typing dfu-util -l. Lines with FOUND DFU: … should appear.
Flash the MicroPython firmware with the command dfu-util --alt 0 -D <firmware_name.dfu>, e.g.
```
dfu-util --alt 0 -D alphaONE_v1.0_RevD_MicroPython_v1.21.0-50-g8989a1afa.dfu
```
Wait until the flashing is concluded. Reboot with a power cycle or pressing Reset. The firmware has been update and your board is now ready to use.

Download the MicroPython firmware which corresponds to your board and extract the compressed files.

Copy the dfu firmware file you want to flash to the dfu-util folder - where dfu-util.exe is located.
Connect omega:ONE to your computer over USB, open Zadig and install the required USB driver.
Put your board ito dfu mode using one of the following procedures:
1. Hardware:
  1. Hold down the B0 switch.
  2. While still holding down B0, press and release the reset switch NR.
  3. The board is now in dfu mode.
2. Software:
  1. Open Device Manager, under Ports (COM & LPT) locate the COM port corresponding to your board.
  2. Open PuTTY, select Serial and type in the COM port name under Serial Line (e.g. COM10), leave Speed at 9600 and click Open. The REPL prompt will appear, stating the current MicroPython version.
  3. Use the following code to put the board in dfu mode:
    pyb.bootloader()
  4. PuTTY shows that REPL lost connection, the board is now in dfu mode.
Open Command Prompt, and navigate to the dfu-util folder,where dfu-util.exe is located.
Verify that omega:ONE is found by typing dfu-util -l. Lines with FOUND DFU: … should appear.
Flash the MicroPython firmware with the command dfu-util --alt 0 -D <firmware_name.dfu>, e.g.
```
dfu-util --alt 0 -D omegaONE_v1.1_RevA_MicroPython_v1.21.0-50-g8989a1afa.dfu
```
Wait until the flashing is concluded. Reboot with a power cycle or pressing Reset. The firmware has been update and your board is now ready to use.

Download the MicroPython firmware which corresponds to your board and extract the compressed files.

Copy the dfu firmware file you want to flash to the dfu-util folder - where dfu-util.exe is located.
Connect omega:TWO to your computer over USB, open Zadig and install the required USB driver.
Put your board ito dfu mode using one of the following procedures:
1. Hardware:
  1. Hold down the B0 switch.
  2. While still holding down B0, press and release the reset switch NR.
  3. The board is now in dfu mode.
2. Software:
  1. Open Device Manager, under Ports (COM & LPT) locate the COM port corresponding to your board.
  2. Open PuTTY, select Serial and type in the COM port name under Serial Line (e.g. COM10), leave Speed at 9600 and click Open. The REPL prompt will appear, stating the current MicroPython version.
  3. Use the following code to put the board in dfu mode:
    pyb.bootloader()
  4. PuTTY shows that REPL lost connection, the board is now in dfu mode.
Open Command Prompt, and navigate to the dfu-util folder,where dfu-util.exe is located.
Verify that omega:TWO is found by typing dfu-util -l. Lines with FOUND DFU: … should appear.
Flash the MicroPython firmware with the command dfu-util --alt 0 -D <firmware_name.dfu>, e.g.
```
dfu-util --alt 0 -D omegaTWO_v1.1_RevA_MicroPython_v1.21.0-50-g8989a1afa.dfu
```
Wait until the flashing is concluded. Reboot with a power cycle or pressing Reset. The firmware has been update and your board is now ready to use.

MicroPython license information

The MIT License (MIT)

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the “Software”), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.