flashtool - VCSFA-MARS/ThinSat-Program GitHub Wiki

Table of Contents:

  1. What is the FlashTool?
  2. Get FlashTool
  3. Assembly
  4. Flash!
  5. Set Up Blynk (optional)
  6. Configure WiFi connection on the CW01

What is the FlashTool?

Before beginning the FlashTool Tutorial, make sure that you have completed configuration on all computers that will use the FlashTool.

The FlashTool programs the CW01 xChip to gather data from all of the sensors and send it over Wi-Fi to the Data Dashboard.

The process of using the FlashTool is called 'flashing'.

Get FlashTool

Now we need to download the latest version of the FlashTool. You can always find the latest release by following this link to the ThinSat Program's Knowledge Base. Download xinaboxFlashTool.exe to your computer and remember where you put it (probably Downloads or your Desktop).

Download the file indicated in the image above

Materials

To perform this setup you will need:

  1. IP01 xChip- USB module
  2. CW01 xChip- WiFi module and processor
  3. OD01 xChip- OLED display module
  4. 2 connector pieces

After flashing, you can add any sensor and the CW01 will automatically pull data from them.

Assembly

Click your pieces together using the connectors. It should look something like this:

x-chip test assembly

Since we are programming the CW01, we need to put the switches on the IP01 into “programming mode,” which means “B” and “DCE.”

IP01 and CW01 connected with switches in B and DCE

Flashing your CW01

Animation of the FlashTool

  1. Navigate to the folder where you saved the FlashTool.

  2. Launch xinaboxFlashTool.exe

    Your computer may ask you if you trust the application. Say yes and proceed to the tool.

  3. Plug your XinaBox assembly into a USB port on your computer

    The FlashTool will detect the xChips and populate the COM port dropdown.

    If this doesn't work, try other USB ports

    It also will not work if you did not complete configuration

  4. Select XINABOX from the dropdown.

    This is the firmware for sending data to the ThinSat Space Data Dashboard servers. The other options are not relevant when we're first starting out.

  5. With the COM port selected and the XINABOX firmware selected, click the “Flash” button.

    If everything worked, you will see your CW01’s MAC address populate the field in the FlashTool and the progress bar should begin to animate. The light on the IP01 will illuminate blue with flashing red and green as the data is transmitted.

    Flashing the chip may take up to 2 minutes.

    Animation showing firmware flash completing successfully.

  6. Once complete, you will see a green checkmark in the lower left-hand corner of the FlashTool window. The CW01 will reboot and start running the new firmware.

After successful Flashing, the CW01 will standby to be configured and will illuminate a solid blue LED and the OD01 screen will show a message like this:

    MAC:5C:CF:7F:A4:0E
    ==================
    Connect to Hotspot:
     XINABOX_10755086
    Password is:
     password
    In your browser:
     192.168.4.1

If you're setting up a lot of kits all at once, you may want to take this opportunity to flash all of your CW01 WiFi modules now.

It would be valuable to write down the MAC address of each CW01 at this time and number each kit. You will need this information when you are getting data onto the Dashboard later. See our handy MAC-Address-Log

Connect Your CW01 to the Internet

We have made a handy flowchart that will hopefully help with this process.

This step can often be the most challenging stumbling block with schools due to firewalls and other security protocols. Please work with your IT department and check our thorough Internet Requirements for the ThinSat program page if you have not already.

In these steps we are going to log onto your CW01 xChip and configure it to connect to WiFi. You must do this individually for each XinaBox Kit.

The CW01 xChip is the processor and WiFi module for your xSystem. Measurements from your sensors are gathered, bundled into data packets, and uploaded to the Data Servers over a WiFi internet connection.

Step 1: Connect to your CW01's configuration hotspot

While the blue LED is on, your CW01 is creating its own WiFi hotspot for you. You may use any WiFi enabled device, including your phone or a tablet. This demonstration will be with a laptop, but the steps are the same.

  1. Open your computer (or phone's) WiFi manager and look for a network that starts with XINABOX - it will match the name on your OD01 Display.

WiFi menu with XINABOX_10755086 listed

  1. Select your XINABOX WiFi network.

    Your device will connect to the CW01. After connection is established, you will be prompted for a password.

    If your CW01's blue LED went out (you left Configuration Mode) before you were able to connect, don't worry. Just power cycle your xChips and try again.

  2. Enter password in the Password field and join the network.

WiFi connection screen password entry. The Password is "password"

This process disconnects you from the internet and logs you onto the CW01 xChip

Step 2: Use the CW01 Configuration Webpage

Once you join your CW01's the XINABOX Wi-Fi network, most devices will automatically take you to the configuration web interface.

If this doesn't pop up automatically in your web browswer, have no fear!

  1. Open a browser
  2. Type 192.168.4.1 in the address bar and hit enter.
  3. Go to the address. It will open the same page.

You will be presented with 5 menu options:

  • Configure Device
  • Configure Blynk
  • Configure WiFi
  • Info
  • Reset

Configure Device Menu

This page sets the identification information for your XinaBox Kit. Spelling is important, so try to avoid typos.

Device Name*

The Device Name field identifies uniquely identifies your particular CW01 with a human readable name. Pick something descriptive like "MSU Kit 1" or "MSU Ground Station".

Organization*

This field identifies your school.

Index*

The most important field in this screen is Index*

Index* is used by the Data Dashboard to identify what data is coming from the ThinSat Program.

Set this field to smallsat

STEM Server

Select "Virginia Space"

Remaining Fields

The other fields are not required, but it is nice to fill them in. Note that altitude is in meters.

Fill out the fields and click "Save" at the bottom of the page. You may have to scroll down to see the "Save" option.

CW01 Configured for Morehead State University with GPS coordinates for the Space Science Center

Try: www.whataremycoordinates.com to get your latitude and longitude.

Configure Blynk Menu

You will only need the Configure Blynk menu if you are doing a non-tethered balloon launch or if you want to use the Burn Wire Module. To learn more about Blynk, follow the Blynk App Guide.

NOTE: Even if it's unused, you will need the Burn Wire module attached to your WeatherSat.

Configure WiFi Menu

Click the Configure Wi-Fi option and you will be presented with the following screen:

This is where we tell the CW01 what internet connection it will use to upload data to the Data Dashboard Servers.

If this is CW01 is intended to be used in the ground station of a balloon flight, consider what internet connection will be available during the mission.

  • Will you have a stationary ground station at your school, connected to your school's Wi-Fi?
  • Will you have a mobile ground station that needs a WiFi hotspot from a cell phone?

Select the Wi-Fi network you wish to use from the list, or type the SSID into the field.

Enter the password and click "Save", your CW01 will save your configuration and attempt to connect to the Data Dashboard. You will be presented with the following screen:

If you connect successfully, the LED will turn GREEN and you will see a new message on your OD01, indicating the Device Name and several sensor parameters.

Head back to the Quick Start guide and we'll view your data on the dashboard.