Ethos File Storage and Firmware Flashing - FrSkyRC/ETHOS-Feedback-Community GitHub Wiki

Ethos File Storage

For Ethos Suite application information, go to the FrSky Ethos website https://ethos.frsky-rc.com/. The Ethos Suite application automates the firmware, audio and bitmap updates.

X20, X20S, X10E, X10 ISRM and X12 ISRM

The X20S and X20 uses an internal virtual USB flash memory drive and the SD card for file storage. The following is how the files are currently arranged on the X20 systems.

Flash Drive path :

  • Flash Drive (drive letter)/bitmaps/system (the bitmaps that are used for the screen displays and icons are stored here)

SD Card paths :

  • SD Card (drive letter)/audio (user sound files)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/audio/en/system (english system sound files)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/bitmaps/models (user model images)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/bitmaps/gps (maps for GPS location display)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/firmware (Store firmware for flashing DT-ISRM, receivers and other devices)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/logs (Data logging stored here)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/models (Model files stored here, there are Sub Folders for each user created model folder)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/screenshots (Screenshots stored here)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/scripts (Lua scripts stored here)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/radio.bin (the radio file that stores system settings)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/firmware.bin (Ethos firmware binary placed here to flash system. File is deleted by system after flash complete)

The Horus systems use only the SD card and the bitmaps are stored on the SD.

X18 Tandem

FLASH Drive paths :

  • FLASH (drive letter)/bitmaps/system (the bitmaps that are used for the screen displays and icons are stored here)

NAND Drive paths :

  • NAND (drive letter)/audio (user sound files)
  • NAND (drive letter)/audio/en/system (english system sound files)
  • NAND (drive letter)/bitmaps/models (model images. Image size for the main X18 screen is 180x166)
  • NAND (drive letter)/bitmaps/gps (maps for GPS location display)
  • NAND (drive letter)/firmware (Store firmware for flashing receivers and other devices)
  • NAND (drive letter)/logs (Data logging stored here)
  • NAND (drive letter)/models (Model files stored here, there are Sub Folders for each user created model folder)
  • NAND (drive letter)/screenshots (Screenshots stored here)
  • NAND (drive letter)/scripts (Lua scripts stored here)
  • NAND (drive letter)/radio.bin (the radio file is created by the system when first used and stores system settings)
  • NAND (drive letter)/firmware.bin (Ethos firmware binary placed here to flash system. File is deleted by system after flash complete)

SD Card paths (SD card use is optional) :

  • SD Card (drive letter)/audio (user sound files)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/audio/en/system (english system sound files)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/bitmaps/models (model images. Image size for the main X18 screen is 180x166)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/bitmaps/gps (maps for GPS location display)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/firmware (Store firmware for flashing receivers and other devices)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/logs (Data logging stored here)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/models (Model files stored here) There are Sub Folders for each user created model folder.
  • SD Card (drive letter)/screenshots (Screenshots stored here)
  • SD Card (drive letter)/scripts (Lua scripts stored here)

Flashing X20, X20S, X18, X10 and X12S ETHOS Firmware Update

Before flashing a new firmware update always make a backup of the model files and the radio.bin to your PC

The X20, X20S, X18, X10S Express, X10 ISRM and X12S ISRM each have their own file sets with the exception of the Horus systems that share the same audio and bitmap files. The X20 and X20S share same audio and bitmap files.

  • While holding Enter down press power on.
  • System displays "Bootloader".
  • Connect system to Windows PC using data USB-C cable.
  • System displays "USB Connected" and two File Explorer drive windows open on PC
  • Copy the Ethos firmware.bin file to the SD card root. Name must be firmware.bin. On the X18 copy to NAND drive root.
  • Copy the new auto files to the SD and overwrite existing files (see path info above)
  • Copy the new bitmap files to the USB drive and and overwrite existing files (see path info above)
  • Eject both drives.
  • Disconnect USB cable.
  • System displays flash progress bar.
  • When flash complete power system OFF and then ON.

For X10 bitmaps are on SD card.

Flashing TD-ISRM

  • Copy TD-ISRM firmware to SD card Firmware folder.
  • Power on system and navigate to firmware file using File Manager.
  • Long press on firmware file for popup.
  • Click on "Flash Internal Module.
  • Flashing process starts with progress bar.
  • Wait for OK button and click.