Flash Picos with Firmware

The Pipistrelle devices work as a combination of physical hardware (PCB and components) and software stored on the Raspberry Pi Pico. This software is called the firmware.

You can update the firmware of you Pipistrelle device when new versions are released, to add new features, or correct bugs and issues in the software.

How to load Firmware (before building)

Requirements

You will need:

• A micro USB (mUSB) to USBa cable. You probably have loads of these as they were the old standard for charging everything, the ones with the small D shaped connector. However not all mUSB cables are equal, some only have connections for charging, and these often came with torches, speakers…etc. These charging cables will not work, as you need one with data connections, such as came with mobile phones (old Nokia cables always work!). Try several until you find one that works.
• A computer on which you have downloaded …
• The latest firmware from Phil’s site – pippyg.com. The link to the latest Firmware is found in the side bar of each devices page:
  • Mini and Nano Pipistrelle – https://www.pippyg.com/pip-mini–pip-nano.html
  • PippyG – https://www.pippyg.com/pippyg.html
  • Griff – https://www.pippyg.com/griff.html
  • BatSynth1 – Via Phils PCBway site – batSynth.uf2

Process

Use the USB to MicroUSB cable and connect your Pico to your computer WHILE pressing the white “BOOTSEL” button on the Pico.

This should open a window showing the contents of the Pico (two files) where you can simply drag the new required firmware across to the Pico.

Wait for the transfer to complete, then disconnect the Pico.

All done, it takes less than 30 seconds!