Hi,

Let me introduce myself. I'm a FW engineer that is writing a UI for a consumer wireless audio device. This is my first time programming an ARM, but have done okay so far.

We're using an AT91SAM7X256-EK processor and are getting ready to make the transition from Engineering to consumer/end-user.

Currently we are using Atmel's SAM-BA tool to update the OS flash. However this a bit to 'engineering like' average end user.

We'd like to create/find a dedicated tool that we could provide to end users to update their FW. Does anyone know of something that we could use/adapt/help us to create such a tool?

I did a bunch of searches as well as contacted ATMEL directly and didn't get much of anything. I also did several searched on this site and didn't find anything obvious.

Thanks!

-Steve

Hi Steve -

Two possible approaches...

One: Roll your own gui front end using the AT91Boot_DLL to communicate/program the part (basically replace the 'engineering like' gui with your own). Information on this DLL is available in the AT91 ISP/SAM-BA User Guide (see section 3). The DLL is located under the "{Sam-ba install directory}/dev" folder.

Two: Field upgrades come with some risk... So most people follow something similar to this Atmel application note
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/doc6253.pdf
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/doc6282.pdf
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/Safe%20and%20Secure%20Bootloader%20Implementation%201.0.zip

Regards,

Duane,

Thanks a bunch. Those look to be very useful.

-Steve

FYI if you decide to roll your own using the AT91Boot_DLL you will want to grab the AT91-ISP package. It has example VS projects to help get you started.

You can find it under "Software Files" at http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools.asp?family_id=605