Updating the Firmware

In order to update the firmware - do the following:

The overall process is as follows:

Make sure your computer or smartphone device is connected to the Internet.
Use it to download the both the boot loader and firmware file from our own ESCape32 release repo. You'll need the ones named: BOOT3_PA2_FE* and AART1-*
Disconnect the motor from the Remora unless you have put a clamp across the power supply.
Connect the WiFi link to the eCom.
Apply a small voltage to the eCom (say <5V).
Open “WiFi” on your device, and select the ESCape32-WiFi-Link access point (no password).
Open a browser window and browse the url: escape32.local.
Click on the third tab in the browser page.
Select the bootloader file (BOOT*) that you downloaded onto your device.
Choose bootloader from the menu.
Click update.
Select the binary file (AART* )that you downloaded onto your device.
Choose firmware from the menu.
Click update.

In detail:

You'll need a smart phone or computer with WiFi capability (client device). Open a browser window and navigate to the github repo that contains the latest binaries.

Download the binary files that you want to install - look for the ones named like AART1-*.bin and BOOT3_PA2_FE*.bin

Once you've downloaded the binary files, you need to switch your client device to point to the WiFi Link.

Attach the WiFi Link to the eCom using the skinny little JST connector cable. This cable provides power and signal. DO NOT connect a USB-C cable to the WiFi Link.

Disconnect the motor from the Remora - otherwise it’s possible to burn up the JST cable.

Apply some power to the eCom. If it's in a car, then connect the braids or lead wires to a power supply - if you really have to keep the motor attached - keep the wheels raised because the motor will spin. Apply more than 3.3V but not more than say 8V - enough to energize the WiFi link. You'll need to ensure your power supply is providing enough current for the motor - at least 3 amps, and the WiFi radio consumes some current too.

If you keep the motor attached you run a bigger risk the higher the voltage and the higher the current especially if it’s a high (>6,000K_v) motor. in destroying the JST cable when you later try to save values. BE CAREFUL

Open the WiFi settings in your client device and find the WiFi link's SSID: ESCape32-WiFi-Link

Connect to it - note: it doesn't require a password.

Usually, the default browser on the client device will open to display the WiFi Link page. If it does not, navigate to: http://escape32.local/ It might take a second or two to refresh the page. Be patient and refresh the browser. When it's connected you'll notice a blue flashing led on the WiFi Link. The browser page looks like these screenshots.

On the first tab, use the slider and slide it to the left to stop the motor. (Just a precaution).
Click on the third tab named: “Firmware”.
Click on "Choose file”.

This should open a file selection dialog in the browser. Navigate to where you downloaded the binary, and select the bootloader binary (BOOT*bin).

"Type" should be “bootloader”.
Check "force" - if you get an "incompatible” message if you try to update.
Click on “Update”.

Do this again for the firmware file this time choosing Type: “firmware”.

The process should complete successfully in a few seconds and the name of the updated binary shall now appear at the bottom of the screen.

The Remora will reboot, but you might also want to remove and reinstate power to the eCom.

The motor should turn and all the parameter values are reset to the defaults - so you might want to set them again. Go through the connection process again and navigate to the firmware tab in the WiFi Link browser page again to ensure that the name of the firmware update now appears.

Go to the first tab and check the default values in the settings to make sure they are to your liking. Change whatever you disagree with.

Remove power.

Unplug the WiFi cable.

All done.

Troubleshooting the WiFi Link

If the SSID does not display, wait a minute or 2, sometimes it's slow to respond. If it does not respond within a couple of minutes, power off and check the connector is properly inserted in the socket.

Do not have more than one browser window open to the URL. It's very easy if you use multiple tabs to inadvertently have more than one tab pointing to http://escape32.local/.

If the blue led does not light on the WiFi link then make sure you are providing at least 3.5V and 2Amps to the Remora. Also, it's possible that you either have a broken cable or a broken socket on either the WiFi Link Adapter of the eCom itself - these connectors sometimes break.