Hi !!
I am currently messing around with MTK GPS stuff and the binary protocol.
Assuming my APM2.0 GPS has the 1.6 loaded, i want to upgrade the GPS FW. Since the gps is directly mounted to the mainboard i don't know how to do it.
The APM wiki http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot/wiki/MediaTek gives no hints.
Please help!
So long
Kraut Rob
EDIT: SOLUTION FOUND:
UPDATE 12/28/2012
I included a zip file with all the needed files and a complete guide below.
It contains basically the same files than the previous version but an extended guide and the source code.
UPDATE 12/28/2012
Added German guide.
UPDATE 19/01/2013
FTDI Hardwareflash on APM 2.0 (Set your FTDI to 5V, if you have one of these Breakoutboards)
1. Download the zip below to have all the files needed - and a flashguide.
2. Load MP and save all your parameters to a file (if desired).
3. Do Arduino / eeprom clear on your main CPU so that no serial traffic can disturb the process. Do not omit this step. It won't work with the arduino still talking on the serial line - i tested it. P.s. You can also use the precompiled hex from my post here: http://diydrones.ning.com/xn/detail/705844:Comment:1094234
4. Unpower APM for soldering. If FTDI connection is already established, powercycle to reset GPS to its' default state.
5. Locate the external GPS port (UART1). If you have not the right plug (like me) you have some solder pads right behind it. You will need GND/RX/TX. Look at this picture for the right connection: http://diydrones.com/forum/attachment/download?id=705844%3AUploadedFile%3A1057797
Note: I labeled RX and TX relative to the GPS not the CPU (like printed on the PCB). I showed 3 points where you can get access to the important datalines, besides the obvious connectionport (that would be number 4:)).
6. Power APM Board, fire up the flashing soft and follow the documentation -> Point 8 in MTKFlashGuide2.pdf or point 7 in MTKFlashGuide2German.pdf. Reading the complete pdf is also ok.
7. Reload Arducopter FW on mainboard and reload your saved settings (if desired). Perhaps recheck calibrations (ACC etc.)
8. Done.
UPDATE 21/01/2013 - 02/03/2013
Here is a Must Try List - if you have a persisting flash problem (Thanks Anton for the idea)
- http://diydrones.ning.com/xn/detail/705844:Comment:1094071 (Thanks Anton)
- http://diydrones.ning.com/xn/detail/705844:Comment:1094290 (Thanks William Stoner)
- http://diydrones.com/xn/detail/705844:Comment:1097033 (Thanks Isaac)
- http://www.diydrones.com/xn/detail/705844:Comment:1097725 (Thanks Chris Webb // Mac running VMWare WinXP)
- http://diydrones.ning.com/xn/detail/705844:Comment:1140259 (Thanks "exaustgas" // Win serial port)
- http://diydrones.com/xn/detail/705844:Comment:1146635 (Thanks Cody // serial port in flashutil config)
- Try to rule out a driver/win firewall/administrator/viruskiller thing
UPDATE 02/03/2013
Due to the outstanding work of Perecastor here: http://diydrones.ning.com/xn/detail/705844:Comment:1149155
We have a French guide now as well !!
I took the liberty to put it here as well.
UPDATE 21/05/2013
Hardware - "Hack":
Use your PC - RC Transmitter Adaptercable as FTDI:
http://diydrones.com/xn/detail/705844:Comment:1252901 (Thanks Jan Boermans)
Cheers
Rob
Replies
Sorry, google translate didn't do it :( . I am guessing what you want to say.
First of all: If you have an MTK 3339 you destroy it with a Firmware for MTK 3329.
Since your GPS is exernal and not hard-wired onto your flightcontrol you can use any FTDI adapter you like to flash it.
Cheers Rob.
I have managed to update both my MTK 3329 GPSs with the new firmware by using the FDTI. I have tried many different methods to do it on APM1 but it never works.
When I connect the GPS with the FDTI cable and connect the miniGPS module I get a GPD 3D fix in about 30 seconds now. I couldn't believe how fast it is and this is only from my balcony where I only have half view of the sky. I get around 7 satellites when ti gets the fix.
However!! (yes there is a "however" still) Once I mount the GPS to my copter and APM1 board, it usually takes around 20-30min to get GPS lock. I tried change back to the FDTI cable and again it connects in about 30 seconds. But when I put it back onto the AMP1 board it still takes over 20min each time.
I even tried it on my Openpilot CC board and same result, about 20min or more to get a fix
Any idea why this happens? how can I fix this?
I did receive 3 weeks ago my combo APM2.5 with Mediatek MT3329 GPS.
It is the GPS flashed with 1.9 as default from factory?
woot! got this to work finally. used the apm2.5 as the programmer for my external GPS and follwed the excellent instructions and it worked perfectly - even resurrected the one I thought was perma-bricked. Now have 2 MTK2.0s updated to the 1.9 firmware. Look slike my problems were due to the FTDI I was using. Thanks guys!
Hi Guys, here is how I got my APM 2.0 updated to the 1.9 firmware via USB:
1. Use Mission planner to change the Arduino firmware to make it an FTDI adapter for the GPS (in the download .zip at the beginning of the thread)
2. Connect via USB, go to device manager, right click on the "Arduino Mega 2560", properties, "port settings", "advanced". Change the comport to anything other than 1-3. I made mine 10. Hit OK, then change Bits per second to 38,400.
3. Unplug and plug back in the APM.
4. Hook up a jumper cable between as shown in this picture. I used a female-female cable I got at Radio Shack.
5. Open the mini GPS utility and make sure it connects on your selected com port. Close that down.
6. Open the power flash utility and follow the directions in the .PDF. I had to try twice. The first time it failed, the second time I tried it worked.
Hope this helps.
Don't forget to change your comport settings back to 115k
My reason for doing this was an attempt to make the GPS get a lock faster as has been a known issue with APM 2.0. After doing this I got in lock in less than a minute, indoors.
I cant get this to work at all on APM1 boards. Everything is fine up until I get to the Download at instruction No:22 and Then I get Failed down load and the No 23: Rare Case error. Ive tried this a lot of times and checked com port and baud are correct. Selected all the proper versions. I manage to connect to the Mini GPS and it shows the old firmware AXN_1.30 2278 so it is connected on the correct ports. Any ideas?
How should I know which version is installed on my APM2.0 GPS before doing this update?
Is any CLI command to show you the GPS version?
It is possible my APM2.0 MTK GPS already to have version 1.9?
ok..there is new GPS module(it have all the new things it must be better..is there possibility tu use it with APM2??
http://www.csgshop.com/product.php?id_product=131
http://www.u-blox.com/en/gps-modules/pvt-modules/neo-7.html
i post here bcs i know no other experts like Kraut Rob...any opinions?price seems ok....
Thought I would share my process as well as I hit a small snag with the com port, may be because I run Windows XP SP3 in a VM.
My Gear:
APM 2.5
Mediatek 2.0
Note: Only power source via USB.
System: Mac Pro running VMWare Fusion with a Windows XP VM.
1. Upload UpdateGPS.hex to APM using Mission Planner
2. Cycle power on APM
3. Test with miniGPS, working on COM 3
4. Connected the jumper http://diydrones.ning.com/xn/detail/705844:Comment:1094290
5. Opened PowerFlash.exe
- Bumped into a snag here COM 3 was not being listed under ComPort
- Went to working directory for PowerFlash.exe and modified Powerflash.ini
ComSelect=3,
- Then skipped com portion of step 13 but still set the Update Baudrate
6. Followed the rest of the steps for PowerFlash and it worked perfectly.
7. Confirmed firmware update with MiniGPS
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next