Can't burn firmware into Crazyflie 2.0

Firmware/software/electronics
purvisb
Beginner
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2021 12:59 am

Can't burn firmware into Crazyflie 2.0

Post by purvisb »

I'm trying to burn firmware into the UAV. But it's not working. When I plug the drone into the computer and pass it to the VM, I can scan and connect to it. But then when I select "program" it disconnected and can't seem to reconnect unless I restart the "crazyflie service" and reseat the UAV. Plus I can't pass the device into the VM when I put it in bootloader mode. 

Any suggestions?

I attached a gif of what happens.
Attachments
Z6N057GRM6.gif
jonasdn
Expert
Posts: 132
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2021 3:13 pm

Re: Can't burn firmware into Crazyflie 2.0

Post by jonasdn »

Hi purvisb!

Uploading a new firmware to the Crazyflie is only possible through Crazyradio (on a radio:// uri). We reworked the UI for firmware upgrade in the client for this release and it makes it look like upgrading using USB is possible, but it is not!

Thank you for reporting this! We will update the client to make this scenario impossible, and update the docs!
tobias
Bitcraze
Posts: 2339
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2013 7:17 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: Can't burn firmware into Crazyflie 2.0

Post by tobias »

I'll jump in as there are a couple of other ways. The iOS client is able to update the Crazyflie 2.X firmware to the latest release. Also it is possible to update the STM32F405 using dfu update over usb.
purvisb
Beginner
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2021 12:59 am

Re: Can't burn firmware into Crazyflie 2.0

Post by purvisb »

Thank you for the clarifications!

I'll look into using an iOS client or getting my hands on a Crazyradio PA.
GIduarte
Beginner
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2020 6:18 pm

Re: Can't burn firmware into Crazyflie 2.0

Post by GIduarte »

I have this same problem, but using the Crazyradio...
jonasdn
Expert
Posts: 132
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2021 3:13 pm

Re: Can't burn firmware into Crazyflie 2.0

Post by jonasdn »

GIduarte wrote: Tue May 04, 2021 8:46 pm I have this same problem, but using the Crazyradio...
Hi GIduarte!

Could you describe in exact steps (and which decks you have) what happens when you try to update using the client?

Thank you!
GIduarte
Beginner
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2020 6:18 pm

Re: Can't burn firmware into Crazyflie 2.0

Post by GIduarte »

Hello,

I reinstalled crazyflie-lib-python and it worked!
jacobgk2
Beginner
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:46 pm

Re: Can't burn firmware into Crazyflie 2.0

Post by jacobgk2 »

I am using the PA radio and am having the same issue as the original post. Here are the steps I follow and the issues I run into:
  1. Open Command Prompt and type cfclient to open.
  2. In upper menu bar, click "Connect ---> Bootloader" to open the Crazyflie Service menu.
  3. Under the "Crazyflie connection" section in the "Connect Crazyflie" tab, click "Scan" to find my Crazyflie and then "Connect" once it has found my Crazyflie to connect in firmware mode.
  4. Under the "Firmware source" section in the "From release" tab, select the most recent release from the "Available downloads" dropdown menu.
  5. Select "Program" at the bottom right of the window.
Following these steps has resulted in two different issues so far:
  • Either the status changes almost immediately to "Not connected".
  • Or the firmware download is endlessly "Fetching..." (although this only happened once).
I also tried following the same steps on the Virtual Machine and the same "Not connected" issue occurs. I did attempt to reinstall the Crazyflie Python library as GIdaurte did but that did not resolve the issue for me.

Any other suggestions?
jonasdn
Expert
Posts: 132
Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2021 3:13 pm

Re: Can't burn firmware into Crazyflie 2.0

Post by jonasdn »

Hi jacobk2!

Does the same thing happen if you try to flash using the "Cold boot (recovery)" tab in the client? If you keep the power button pressed for a couple of second while turning the CF on, to enter bootloader mode. And then press "Initiate bootloader cold boot".

Thanks!
Jonas
jacobgk2
Beginner
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:46 pm

Re: Can't burn firmware into Crazyflie 2.0

Post by jacobgk2 »

Another individual I am working with found a resolution to the original issue of the Crazyflie disconnecting when attempting to flash the most updated firmware release. In a Command Prompt, we ran the following commands:

Code: Select all

git clone https://github.com/bitcraze/crazyflie-lib-python.git
cd crazyflie-lib-python
pip install -e .
Personally, I needed to change the last command to

Code: Select all

pip3 install -e .
While this solved the original issue of not being able to flash the Crazyflie with the most recent firmware release, I still have an issue with the "Cold boot (recovery)" option. Prior to the above fix, when I attempted to perform a "Cold boot (recovery)" in the client, the status would say "start_bootloader() got an unexpected keyword argument 'cf'". Now when I attempt to perform a "Cold boot (recovery)", the status just says "Flashing" and does not change. The progress bar at the bottom of the window also does not progress. I'm not sure what is causing this issue now, but this fix is a lot less urgent now that the original issue has been resolved. However, if you have any suggestions for this new obstacle I would be happy to try them out as this could become more urgent if I ever do need to recover my Crazyflie from a failure state.
Post Reply