Introduction
This document explains the installation procedure Flash Tool Lite for Windows*, Linux* and Mac* hosts. The tool is used to flash the firmware on Intel® Edison boards, but will expand to other IoT products in the future. Formerly, this tool was used in working with Intel® based phones and tablets for updates and now has been adapted for use on IoT products.
This GUI based tool makes it much easier to manage firmware, and other updates, even your own. It is possible to customize the install, and include packages with the firmware update. Rather than working in a command line interface, you can flash boards in a much easier fashion. Additionally, if you wish to use the functionality of the tool but within a command line, that is explained below.
Prerequisites
Operating Systems
The tool is supported on the following operating systems:
- Microsoft Windows* XP (32 bit)
- Microsoft Windows* 7 (32/64 bit)
- Microsoft Windows* 8 (32/64 bit)
- Microsoft Windows* 8.1 (32/64 bit)
- Ubuntu* 12.04 LTS 64 bit
- Mac* 10.9.5 64 bit
Installation
The installation procedure is explained below for each operating system.
Windows Installation
1. Download and run the installation package.
2. When the setup wizard pops up, click Next.
3. Select Standard installation and the wizard guides to completion.
4. Accept the License agreement, click Next.
5. Click next after screen documenting libraries and packages.
6. Select standard installation.
7. Retain the selections, click Next.
8. Click Install to complete.
A driver install may be specified after completion of the main wizard, answer yes and complete that install.
Linux Installation
The Linux installation set up is only for 64 bit operating system. So, the versions supported in Ubuntu are Ubuntu 12.04 LTS 64 bit and above.
1. Install dependent packages for the tool.
Ubuntu 12.04LTS:
sudo apt-get install gdebi ia32-libs
Ubuntu 13.04 64bits and later:
sudo apt-get install gdebi libncurses5:i386 libstdc++6:i386
2. Download the installation package and complete the install either through terminal or Ubunutu software center,
a. From Ubuntu Terminal:
sudo gdebi <name_of_flash_tool_lite.deb>
(replace with correct name of the installation deb file)
b. From Software center:
The ”Ubuntu Software Center” will handle the installation, double-click on the .deb file and then click ”Install Package” and enter the password. The IPL license must be accepted.
Mac OS X Installation
- Open FlashToolLite.dmg and drag Flash Tool Lite into the Application folder.
Configuring Edison Board
The Edison board needs to be configured correctly for successful flashing. The Figure below shows the Adruino board. The position of the switch (between the standard USB and the micro USB) should be adjusted such that it is to be closer to the Micro USB connector (J16).
The “J16” micro USB connector is connected to micro USB cable, with other end to the computer USB port. This provides power for the board.
The edge or corner micro USB connector to the computer USB port through micro USB cable serves as a serial connection.
Additionally, an external power supply can be utilized.
Flash the Edison
- Launch Flash Tool Lite, Browse for FlashEdison.json, which is provided along with the package or download the latest firmware .zip file
- Select the FlashEdison.json file
- Open the file
- Click Start to Flash
- Now disconnect and reconnect the micro USB cable for power (J16). The flashing process should continue and be completed successfully.
Note: If the flashing on a Windows based system is extremely slow or gives a time out message, increase the rootfs timeout value by 25-50% in FlashEdison.json. Normally a firmware update flash should take less than 5 minutes. The .json file can be found in the .zip firmware archive.
Example of firmware flash progress:
Using the tool in command line
The binary file for the command line tool is phoneflashtoollitecli.
The -f option is a mandatory option, this command line tool is designed to flash a single device. Multiple instance of the phoneflashtoollitecli tool can be started in parallel for multi flash but in this case the user has to provide the android serial number (example: SERIAL95A45IE7) and/or the SOC serial number with the respective options --os-sn and --soc-sn.
All command line options are available in the help message of the tool:
phoneflashtoollitecli --help