Programming FMUK66 for first use

The RDDRONE-FMUK66 board will not have any software loaded when turned on for the first time. This page explains how to load precompiled code for the PX4 bootloader and the NuttX/PX4 application.

Disclaimer

Note! - NXP does not officially supply any software for the RDDRONE-FMUK66. Expect that it will be completely blank and unprogrammed upon delivery. Normally you should plan to prepare your own development environment, fork the PX4 Git repository and compile from source code.

However - To quickly get started, you can program a precompiled bootloader and PX4 firmware by following the instructions on this page.

Software setup and debugger adapter board

The bootloader can only be written to the board using a debugger. Once a bootloader is present, then PX4 itself may be written using QGroundControl or the debugger. The HoverGames drone kit includes a J-Link EDU Mini debugger. To use it, you need to install the J-Link Software Pack. Links are provided on the downloads page.

The debugger can be plugged into the FMU using a small adapter board. This small PCB comes with a 3D printed case that can easily be put together. The J-Link debugger can be connected using an SWD cable. The connectors have to be oriented such that the wires directly go to the side of the board, as shown in the picture below.

While you do not need it right now, the adapter board also has a 6-pin connector for a USB-TTL-3V3 cable, which you can use to access the system console of the FMU. The 3D printed case has a small notch on one side of the connector. The USB-TTL-3V3 cable needs to be plugged in such that the black (ground) wire is on the same side as this notch in the case.

The debug adapter board. Make sure the cables are plugged in as shown.

Video tutorial

We have created a video walking through the instructions below if you prefer watching a video rather than reading documentation. If you get confused at any time during the video, use the documentation below as a reference!

Programming the bootloader

RDDRONE-FMUK66 expects a bootloader to be programmed onto the board. We will flash the PX4 bootloader, which can be used from the command line or QGroundcontrol to load new PX4 firmware when powering the board. A precompiled binary of the bootloader is available on the downloads page.

If the board already has a bootloader programmed, there should be a yellow/orange LED blinking when you first power on the FMU with USB attached. If this is the case, you do not have to program the bootloader again.

The bootloader changes infrequently and changes are often minor. Unless instructed to do so, you don't have to update or rewrite the bootloader.

Connect the debugger to the FMU using the 7-pin JST-GH connector from the debug adapter board and plug the USB coming from the debugger into your computer. You should provide power to the FMU using a USB cable. Then start the J-Link Commander program, and follow these steps:

• Enter the connect command.

• Enter ? to bring up a window in which you can select the target device.

• In the Device field, enter MK66FN, select MK66FN2M0xxx18 and press OK.

• Type s to select SWD as the target interface.

• Press enter to select the default interface speed (4000 kHz).

• Enter loadbin "/absolute/path/to/bootloader.bin" 0x0 command to write the bootloader to the board at memory address 0x0. Change the path to the location of the bootloader binary file.

Debugging setup. The FMU is powered through the micro USB cable.

Programming the firmware

The bootloader includes a special protocol which allows you to update the firmware over USB instead of the debugger. Once the bootloader is programmed, you can use QGroundControl to upload firmware to the board, as will be explained later.

However, it is also very easy to load the PX4 firmware in the same way as the bootloader. The instructions below will help you to flash the PX4 firmware using the debugger.

The firmware can be programmed to the board with almost the same procedure as the bootloader. You first need to download a firmware binary (.bin file) of the PX4 firmware. We keep up-to-date links to the recommended releases on our downloads page, because it is important that you start with the most stable and up-to-date version of the firmware.

To write the firmware, you have to make sure the debugger is still plugged into your computer, and the FMU is still powered. If you did not keep J-Link Commander open after writing the bootloader, you can restart it and follow these steps again:

• Enter the connect command.

• Enter ? to bring up a window in which you can select the target device.

• In the Device field, enter MK66FN, select MK66FN2M0xxx18 and press OK.

• Type s to select SWD as the target interface.

• Press enter to select the default interface speed (4000 kHz).

Note the PX4 firmware is installed at an offset in memory after the bootloader, at address 0x6000. The bootloader was written to address 0x0.

Finally, you can write the firmware to the board using the following command:

• Enter loadbin "/absolute/path/to/firmware.bin" 0x6000 command to write the firmware to the board at memory address 0x6000, which is the address at which the bootloader will look to start a program. Change the path to the location of the firmware binary file.

A more detailed reference and guide on using the debugger and J-Link software to upload any software to the RDDRONE-FMUK66 board is available as well.