Newbie: Update Crazyflie 2.0 with custom firmware over USB?

[jimmymc]

Hi All

Newbie here. I didn't get the Crazyradio PA as I was under the impression I could do everything I needed over USB (and now it's out of stock!), and fly it just using an Esky RC (purchased an ET6I especially for this).

I updated the 'stock' firmware with the instructions in the dfu_update.zip over USB (on Windows) easily enough, and from reading this Wiki article (http://wiki.bitcraze.se/projects:crazyflie:hacks:et6i), I see you can create a custom firmware with the command 'make clean && make USE_ESKYLINK=1 CLOAD=1 all'.

Can I use the resulting file and upload it in DFU mode using the same procedure I did initially?

Also, will I be able to use the cfclient over USB to adjust settings etc., at any point?

Thanks, James

[tobias]

The system is now a bit more complected and yet not so well documented (we are working on it). Some information in this post.

As the radio communication code now is in the nRF51 MCU and it is not connected to USB it is currently not possible to flash the nRF51 over USB. Only the STM32F405. It can be possible in the future though as the SWD (programming port) to the nRF51 is connected to the STM32 so the possibility exist, no code yet thought.

Another problem is that the esky code is written for the nRF24L01+ transceiver and this code must be ported to the nRF51. This is on our TODO list but is not a high priority. Maybe someone in the community would like to do it?

We are working on a Bluetooth LE bootloader (smart-phone) which will be the other way of updating the nRF51 without a Crazyradio or SWD programmer. Still not ready though and we don't have an estimated release date.

So there are two hurdles right now to overcome before the Crazyflie 2.0 esky support will work.

[chad]

purchased an ET6I especially for this

Please, do tell where you got it... I've been looking for one of these for a few months and have had no luck finding one...

[chad]

Well... I just found one on eBay. Probably a little more than I wanted to pay for it (esp. with the shipping and handling) but in any case, it's on its way to me now. I look forward to when I can use it with the CF2 and in the meantime I'll try it out with CF1.

[jimmymc]

Hi Chad

Sorry, I didn't see your post - wasn't notified for some reason. Yes, I also found mine on eBay from somewhere in the U.S. they're fairly hard to come by it would seem.

Really disappointed I can't use it with the CF.2.0..

[chad]

Another problem is that the esky code is written for the nRF24L01+ transceiver and this code must be ported to the nRF51. This is on our TODO list but is not a high priority. Maybe someone in the community would like to do it?

This is likely way over my head, but what do you think will need to be ported? I was planning to take a look at the code (just for grins) and am wondering if there's anything I should look at specifically. In any case, as I said, this is likely way over my head so I don't see myself being able to port the code to nRF51, but I'm curious about the work required.

[chad]

Ahh! This recent blog post by Arnaud explains exactly what I was wondering about!