fipy flash error

[AmPalRed]

Please include the following information when submitting a bug report:

• FiPy
• Trying to update firmware via USB/UART.

When trying to flash my device. It just gives time out error.
Also tried with Pycom upgrade tool (both on ubuntu and Mac OS). Still got the same error.
The error looks like:

Use make SECURE=on [optionally SECURE_KEY ?= secure_boot_signing_key.pem] to enable Secure Boot and Flash Encryption mechanisms.
Use make V=1 or set BUILD_VERBOSE in your environment to increase build verbosity.
Entering flash mode
Flashing project
python /home/user/esp/pycom-esp-idf/components/esptool_py/esptool/esptool.py --chip esp32 --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --baud 921600 --before no_reset --after no_reset write_flash -z --flash_mode dio --flash_freq 80m --flash_size detect 0x1000 build/FIPY/release/bootloader/bootloader.bin 0x8000 build/FIPY/release/lib/partitions.bin 0x10000 build/FIPY/release/fipy.bin
esptool.py v2.1
Connecting........_____....._____....._____....._____....._____....._____....._____....._____....._____....._____

A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: Timed out waiting for packet header
application.mk:627: recipe for target 'flash' failed
make: *** [flash] Error 2

Thank you!

[Xykon]

/dev/ttyUSB0 is usually the Expansion Board 2.1 did you install the jumper wire to put the module into firmware update mode? https://docs.pycom.io/chapter/gettingstarted/installation/firmwaretool.html

[AmPalRed]

Yes I did. We also checked over serial communication
fipy ---> USB/UART
Vin --> 5V
Gnd --> Gnd
Tx --> Rx (3.3 V)
Rx --> Tx (3.3 V)
P2 --> ground
Press reset
and output looks like

rst:0x1 (POWERON_RESET),boot:0x3 (DOWNLOAD_BOOT(UART0/UART1/SDIO_REI_REO_V2))
waiting for download

[robert-hh]

Is the updater the only program which is using /dev/ttyUSB0?
You may also try to use a lower speed by writing e.g.
make ESPBAUD=460800 flash

[AmPalRed]

yes. I did get the error 'serial port is busy' , when I have other program using same port.
The ESP connection error is not just from upgrader. I got the same error when I tried on Terminal with ESP-IDF.

ESP-IDF_PATH being /home/user/esp/pycom-esp-idf

[Xykon]

Do you have correct user permissions for /dev/ttyUSB0? You might need to run usermod -a -G dial out $USER and then logout or reboot your Linux PC.

[AmPalRed]

I did try it with no desired output.

[Xykon]

Are you sure that both RX and TX are connected properly? If you run the pre-installed firmware, are you able to type any commands at the REPL (such has help())?

[AmPalRed]

I could not type anything at REPL . but the TX and RX pins are connected correctly , I checked it twice.

[Xykon]

I have checked one of our production FiPy and it works fine with an FTDI module and the pre-flashed firmware. I suggest you check the USB cable and make sure that the USB port / FTDI module provide enough current for the FiPy.

[AmPalRed]

How much Current (Ampere) does it require. I have given 5V connection from FTDI to FiPy.

[robert-hh]

In average 250 mA, with peaks at ~500mA. So a normal USB is OK. The 5V of an FTDI should be the direct supply from USB. Programming does not require more power than normal us. Maybe less, because WiFi, Lora and LTE are not active at that time.

[robert-hh]

Which terminal emulator are you using. Flow control should be switched off. Minicom sometimes makes problems. Picocom works nice.

[AmPalRed]

I tried both minicom and picocom, but I am not able to type at REPL on both of them.
So I did not use any emulator , directly set the baudrate and port on terminal.

[robert-hh]

With terminal emulator I mean apps like Picicom. So it look like no RX is seen by the FiPy. Do you have means to see, if theer is activity at P0, when you type in picocom, to tell, whther it's SW or HW. Even a multimeter should show some fluctuation away from ~3.3 V when you type or just paste a long string.

[AmPalRed]

Yes I understood what you meant by emulator.
I have tried using picocom and I got the following result when connected with FiPy. I couldenot give or type anything after that.

picocom v2.2

port is        : /dev/ttyUSB0
flowcontrol    : none
baudrate is    : 115200
parity is      : none
databits are   : 8
stopbits are   : 1
escape is      : C-a
local echo is  : no
noinit is      : no
noreset is     : yes
nolock is      : yes
send_cmd is    : sz -vv
receive_cmd is : rz -vv -E
imap is        : 
omap is        : 
emap is        : crcrlf,delbs,

Type [C-a] [C-h] to see available commands

Terminal ready
MicroPython v1.8.6-834-g5677703c on 2017-11-13; FiPy with ESP32
Type "help()" for more information.
>>> 

The main.py is with LoRaWAN program updated.