Upgrading Firmware Using a USB Cable

Introduction

This article describes how to burn the firmware from the host device
to the BOARD with space using Type-C 数据线. During the upgrade, you
need to select the appropriate upgrade method based on the host
operating system and firmware type.

Please read the "Flashing Tool User Manual" carefully before flashing.
If it doesn't display, please refresh the page.

Flashing Tool User Manual Link: https://spacemit.com/community/docume
nt/info?lang=en&nodepath=tools/user_guide/flasher_user_guide.md

Preparation Tools

AIBOX-K3

Firmware

Main Unit

Good Type-C Cable

Preparing firmware

Firmware can be obtained by compiling the SDK or downloaded from

Resource Download

. Firmware files generally come in two types:

Single Unified Firmware

Unified firmware is a single file packaged and merged from all files
including the partition table, bootloader, uboot, kernel, and system.
Officially released Firefly firmware uses the unified firmware format.
Upgrading to unified firmware will update the data and partition table
of all partitions on the motherboard and erase all data on the
motherboard.

Multiple Partition Images

These are files with independent functions, such as the partition
table, bootloader, and kernel, generated during the development phase.
Independent partition images can update only specified partitions
while keeping other partitions' data intact, which is very convenient
for debugging during development.

Installing the Flashing Tool

Windows Operating System

Download the latest version of the flashing tool
titantools_for_windows.exe

Double-click the downloaded flashing tool titantools_for_windows_last
to begin installation;

After installation, run titanflasher.exe

Linux Operating System

Download the latest version of the flashing tool
titantools_for_linux.AppImage

Double-click the downloaded flashing tool titantools_for_linux_last to
begin installation;

After installation, run titanflasher.exe


Linux_adb_fastboot工具

Download

Linux_adb_fastboot

 and install it on your system using the following method for easy
access:

   sudo mv fastboot /usr/local/bin
   sudo chown root:root /usr/local/bin/fastboot
   sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/fastboot

Entering Upgrade Mode

There are generally two modes for upgrading firmware: Loader mode and
hardware flashing mode. Before flashing the firmware, we need to
connect the device and put the board into upgradeable mode.

Loader Mode

Entering Loader Mode via Software

After connecting the Type-C Cable, run the following command on the
board in the serial port debugging terminal. Do not use the adb tool
to enter loader mode, as software entry into loader mode requires
operation of the uboot terminal.

   reboot

After the board system reboots to the uboot stage, press and hold the
's' key to enter the uboot debugging terminal. Once in the uboot
debugging terminal, delete any unnecessary 's' characters from the
input information. Execute the "fastboot" command to enter flashing
mode:

   fastboot 0

On the PC, in the titanflasher flashing tool, click: Dev Tools --> USB
Download --> Scan Devices --> Local File --> Select Zip File --> Start
Flashing.

Note: At this point, the titanflasher tool will flash a portion of the
necessary firmware to the board, but not all of it. You need to press
Enter again in the board's uboot terminal to complete the subsequent
firmware flashing.

Hardware Flashing Mode

For instructions on entering hardware flashing mode, please refer to

Hardware Flashing Mode

Flashing Firmware

Flashing Unified Firmware

The steps for flashing the unified firmware package are as follows:

Click the following steps: Dev Tools --> USB Download --> Scan Devices
--> Local File --> Select Zip File --> Reboot After Flashing --> Start
Flashing.


Burning Partition Image

Click Steps: Dev Tools --> USB Download --> Scan Devices --> Local
File --> Select Zip File --> Reboot After Flashing --> Configure
Partition File --> Start Flashing.

Configuring partition files requires selecting the partition file.

partition_4M.json updates the NOR flash on the core board.

partition_universal.json updates the UFS partition image on the core
board.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to Force Enter Hardware Flashing Mode

If the board cannot enter Loader mode, you can try to force enter
hardware flashing mode. See

Hardware Flashing Mode

 for instructions.

2. Flashing Failure Analysis

If an error occurs during the flashing process, it is usually due to a
faulty USB cable connection, a low-quality cable, or insufficient
driver capability of the computer's USB port. Please replace the USB
cable or check the computer's USB port.