Upgrade of X8R firmware using a FDTI232 basic

[mstrens]

I put a question on another forum (RCgroup) but I did not yet got an answer.
So I try on this forum hoping that some one can provide a reply.

Here the question:
A new firmware is available for X8R receiver.

Is it possible to upload the new firmware in a X8R using a FTDI232 Basic (the one used to program an Arduino by example) instead of using the USB device produces by Frsky.

For receivers from D series, I read on forums that upgrading was possible (if the FTDI 232 was configured to invert Tx and Rx signals).

It is not clear for me if it should work for an X8R receiver via the SPORT.
On one side, the specification from Frsky about upgrading via SPORT says that TXD and RXD is RS232 level. I presume that FTDI 232 is only TTL level.
On the other side, if the FTDI 232 works for a D serie receiver, why should it not work for a X serie when the same Frsky USB device works for both series of receivers.

Do you already try to upgrade a X8R with a FTDI 232 basic?

Thanks for reply.
Michel

[Kilrah]

A common TTL level FTDI should work as long as it's inverted like for the D series.
You do however need the SPC attached to connect to the bidirectional smart port.

[mstrens]

Thanks Kilrah,

I tested it and it works.
I changed the set up of my FTDI (inverting the TX and RX) using the instructions from this web site:
http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/frs ... -ftdi-cabl.

As said in your post (and on Frsky instructions), I made a cable with a diode between Tx and Rx.
This cable has to be connected to the Sport connector from x8R receiver.

Still I got a small issue.
When I run the frsky_update_sport.exe, the program recognise the COM port (ok) ; I click on the button "File" to select the file to upload (ok) and then I click connect the FTDI to the SPORT with the home made cable and I click on the button "Download".
The Frsky program blink (and the FTDI too) but stay with a message "finding device...".

I solved this in this way.
I suspected my FTDI not giving enough power to the X8R so I removed the + (5volt) signal from the cable to the SPORT and I use a normal Nimh battery to give power supply to the X8R.
It works if I apply following sequence:
- first run the program, select the file and click download ( so the program says "finding device...")
- connect the FDTI to the X8R
- connect the X8R to the battery
Then the program find the device and I can click on "Download".
The upload takes a few minutes (less than 5 min).

I noticed that if I change the sequence first connecting the X8R to the battery, it did not work.
So I presume that X8R react to FTDI only just after a reset (during a boot sequence).
I hope this could help other users.

Michel

[Kilrah]

Yes that's how it's supposed to work, the receiver needs to be powered only while "Finding device" is displayed. I believe it is described in the PDF that is in the firmware downoad archives.

[NeilRogers]

Hi Michel
I think the update program isn't very clean, I've updated a number of X8Rs & varios.
Sometimes it will just loose device transmission sync and will require restarting or on my Windows 7 blue screen (the only program ever to that)

No problem just retry until you get a clean load

Neil

[TrueBuild]

How can I tell what firmware is loaded on my X8R receiver?

I note that...
X8R_130725.frk is Telemetry Date error.
X8R_131105.frk is for Improve the value precision of the battery voltage.

[Kilrah]

You can't.