There are the main changes from the original bootloader wrote by David Fainitski N7DDC:
- replaced various
if()with% - comments everywhere
- configuration changeable from hardware keys or from remote programmer
- new commands: STS, EAA, EPA, STP, SLC, PWN, BOT
- asynchronous communication with MCU
- fully remote controllable (also bootloader access)
- the booting is soo long because it waits a stop signal from the remote programmer; this is used to enter in the bootloader from remote.
- IPv4 subnet
- IPv6 support
- CRC32 on firmware update
- re-implement DHCP support (with address 0.0.0.0)
You have two ways to access the bootloader:
- connect both iambic keys to GND; pay attention that when you release the connection the bootloader starts the radio firmware (in less then ten seconds);
- use programmer -b option that stops the device into bootloader mode. Then you can manipulate the configurations and at the end start the radio firmware or reset the device.
You can verify the parameters from the display or the programmer and when you modify it both ways are synchronized.
The protocol with the remote programmer it is statically define:
- the request is always 32 bytes
- the reply is always 32 bytes plus variable payload if needed
- the request always starts from the programmer
- the replay always starts after a request and from the FPGA
- the first three bytes of the command are ASCII chars that define the command type.
- the protocol use an UDP transport on port 50000
- the remote endpoint information (like client port and address) is only stored in the MAC request therefore before call every other command you need to request the MAC information.
| request | reply | function |
|---|---|---|
| “MAC” + 232’b0 | “MAC” + 184’b0 + 6 bytes MAC address | request the MAC address of the FPGA |
| “WIP” + 200’b0 + 4 bytes IP address | the same as requested | write the new IP address to FPGA |
| “ERS” + 224’b0 + 1 byte slot | the same as requested | erase the slot defined in the request |
| “WPD” + 232’b0 + 256 bytes of data | the same as requested but with data from flash | write 256 byte to flash at slot defined by erase (iterate for all firmware) |
| “STS” + 232’b0 | “STS” + 136’b0 + | request the status information |
| 1 byte = auto power on (0=OFF 1=ON) | ||
| 1 byte = audio amplifier status (0=OFF 1=ON) | ||
| 1 byte = power amplifier status (0=OFF 1=ON) | ||
| 1 byte = slot number to boot | ||
| 8 bytes = bootloader version | ||
| “EAA” + 224’b0 + 1 byte audio amplifier | the same as requested | set the audio amplifier status; 0 for OFF and 1 for ON |
| “EPA” + 224’b0 + 1 byte power amplifier | the same as requested | set the power RF amplifier status; 0 for OFF and 1 for ON |
| “PWN” + 224’b0 + 1 byte auto power on | the same as requested | set the auto power on functionality; 0 for OFF and 1 for ON |
| “STP” + 232’b0 | the same as requested | stop the radio at bootloader during startup |
| “BOT” + 232’b0 | the same as requested | start the radio firmware present at the slot configured without reset |
| “SLC” + 224’b0 + 1 byte for the slot | the same as requested | change the slot to boot; valid values are from 1 to 3 |
To build the bootloader you need to download and install Altera Quartus Prime Lite Edition 19.1 or a version that support the Cyclone IV that we are using (you also need to manually install the support for that generation). It is available for Linux and Windows. After you have installed the software open the Quartus gui and open the project file Bootloader.qpf. At this stage you can generate the binary firmware that can be programmed to the flash selecting from the menu Processing->Start Compilation. You will end up with Bootloader.rbf and Bootloader.pof that are needed for flash.
Advice: since the environment is quite complex, I suggest to read the Quartus documentation and try to understand what are you doing.
You have two choice:
- use the rbl file and write the firmware to slot 0 with the programmer (useful only when you have a fully functional radio).
- use the Altera USB Blaster.
For the first solution refer to the programmer documentation. To program the radio with Altera USB Blaster you need to attach the programming cable on the socket near the Ethernet port (pay attention on pin one). The you can use the programmer included in the Altera Quartus Prime if you have installed the entire suite or you can install only the Quartus II Stand-Alone Programmer. Open the programmer, select Active Serial Programming from Mode, choose the hardware device and load the Bootloader.pof file. Be sure that Programm-Configure, Verify, Blank-Check are checked. Then you can start the programming. If it fails check cable connection.
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version. This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details. You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA