Upgrading BL654 BL654PA Firmware - LairdCP/UwFlashX GitHub Wiki

Acquiring BL654 firmware

Firmware for the BL654 can be downloaded from the BL654 product page, firmware for the BL654PA can be downloaded from the BL654PA product page and will comprise of a zip file with the firmware and supporting files.

Extract the .uwf file from the firmware zip file and place it somewhere on your PC.

Setting up UwFlashX

The BL654/BL654PA needs to be in command mode with no autorun application present on the module, follow the guides on the BL654/BL654PA page to clear the module configuration before continuing with the upgrade process.

Once the BL654/BL654PA module is in command mode, open UwFlashX and select the .uwf upgrade file by clicking the '...' button and then selecting the correct serial port for the connected module.

If you are not using a Laird Connectivity BL654-based USB dongle (451-00003) then configure the BL654/BL654PA specific options by:

  • Changing bootloader entrance method to 'AT+FUP command (smartBASIC)'
  • Setting the application baud to 115200
  • Setting the bootloader baud to 115200
  • Ensuring the 'Send UART BREAK prior to upgrade' checkbox is unticked

Once configured, UwFlashX should look similar to:

UwFlashX_Configuration

If you are using a Laird Connectivity BL654-based USB dongle (451-00003) then configure the BL654 specific options by:

  • Changing bootloader entrance method to 'FTDI reset & AT+FUP command (BL654 USB)' - note that you will be unable to use this option on a mac and will have to set this to 'AT+FUP command (smartBASIC)', if there is an autorun application on the module which closes the UART, you will be unable to upgrade the module from a mac and will have to use Windows/Linux.
  • Setting the application baud to 115200
  • Setting the bootloader baud to 115200
  • Ensuring the 'Send UART BREAK prior to upgrade' checkbox is unticked

Once configured, UwFlashX should look similar to:

UwFlashX_Configuration

Running UwFlashX

Once UwFlashX has been configured, start the upgrade process by clicking the 'Begin Update' button and the upgrade should be applied to the module.

After Upgrading Firmware

After BL654/BL654PA firmware has been upgraded, it is important to clear the module configuration from the previous firmware and any old application files (which will be incompatible). To do this, use a terminal utility such as UwTerminalX and send the command 'AT&F*' and press enter, the module will erase the flash file system and reboot. After this has finished, the module upgrade process is complete.

Possible Issues

If you encounter an issue with the BL654/BL654PA firmware upgrade process, ensure that there is no application running on the BL654/BL654PA and no autorun applications exist on the module. Applications can be removing by issuing the 'AT&F*' command from a terminal utility such as UwTerminalX before upgrading the firmware using UwFlashX. Note that hardware flow control is required to upgrade BL654/BL654PA modules, if a module is on a custom board and these lines have not been fitted, you will be unable to upgrade the module firmware. Note that the Zephyr/Nordic SDK variant of the USB dongle (451-00004) is not compatible with UwFlashX or smartBASIC.