Uploading Firmware (First Time & Updates)

Table of Contents

Uploading the firmware happens in two parts on the Echo. At this point, your Arduino and screen should be connected, with the Arduino powering the screen and sending data to it through pins 18 and 19.

METHOD 1: CLASS ECHO ONE-CLICK-UPDATER #

Please visit https://shakeprint.com/downloads/

  • Download the Arduino Firmware (.hex file) and the Display Firmware (.tft file) for the Class Echo.
  • Download the Class Echo One-Click-Updater zip file

Installing the One-Click-Updater

The one click updater was developed to allow users to update the Echo (both Arduino and Display) with no SD card and without requiring disassembly of the Echo to update firmware.

  • Open the the Class Echo One-Click-Updater zip file. Click “Setup” to install the software.
  • After installation, the software will be in your start menu named “Class Echo Updater”.
  • If desired, it can be removed in the add/remove programs dialogue

Prepare For Update / Find COM Port

  • Plug the Class Echo (Arduino) into your computer
  • Go to your computers ‘Control Panel’ – click on “Devices and Printers”.
  • At the bottom, under “Unspecified” You should see an Arduino (or at least a device) with a COM port specified. In this example, you can see the Arduino is on COM4. Aftermarket or clone Arduinos may not say “Arduino”.

Updating The Echo

IMPORTANT: Ensure that SPAD.neXt is CLOSED before starting the update.

With the Class Echo plugged into the computer, and the Class Echo Updater utility open, do the following:

  • Select the COM port that the Echo is on
  • Select the Arduino HEX firmware file.
  • Select the Display TFT firmware file.
  • Press “Update Class Echo”

You will see the Arduino update, then the software will detect the display and update it after. You can monitor the display update progress on the display itself.

IMPORTANT: This tool is still in development – in some cases the process may stop after updating the Arduino and stay there – if that happens, simply press “Update Class Echo” again and that has worked for most users.

Troubleshooting

UPLOAD PROCESS HANGS AT ANY POINT MORE THAN 20 SECONDS. – Press “Update Class Echo” again to restart the upload.

STUCK IN “ATTEMPTING LCD PORT CONNECTION” LOOP – Your TX and RX wires between the Arduino and display may be swapped, especially if this is a new build. Try swapping them and re-attempting. You should a notice similar this after 5-10 iterations of the loop:

ANOTHER GOOD TIP: Try a different USB port (preferably on another part of your computer, such as the back if you are using one on the front) and make sure you are using a dedicated port for the Echo, not a USB hub. Sometimes underpower situations can cause the upload to not work for the display.

METHOD 2: XLOADER & SD CARD UPDATE #

USAGE: This method is for users who can’t get the One-Click-Updater to work with new hardware, or who are using firmware v 1.2.0 or lower.

Downloading Firmware & Tools

Please visit https://shakeprint.com/downloads/

  • Download the Arduino Firmware (.hex file) and the Display Firmware (.tft file) for the Class Echo.
  • Download XLoader from under the “PREVIOUS FIRMWARE / LEGACY DOWNLOADS” header.

Step 1: Arduino Flashing

Finding The Correct COM Port

  • Plug the Arduino into your computer
  • Go to your computers ‘Control Panel’ – click on “Devices and Printers”.
  • At the bottom, under “Unspecified” You should see an Arduino (or at least a device) with a COM port specified. In this example, you can see the Arduino is on COM4. Aftermarket or clone Arduinos may not say “Arduino”.

Using XLoader

  • Open XLoader and use these settings:
  • HEX FILE: Select the Arduino firmware that you downloaded.
  • DEVICE: Mega(ATMEGA2560)
  • COM port: Your Arduino COM port.
  • Baud Rate: 115200.
  • Select “Upload” – you should see the two TX and RX lights on the Arduino start flashing rapidly.

Step 2: Display Flashing (microSD Card)

The second way to flash the display firmware is to use a microSD card in the included SD card slot of the display. To do that, you will need the following:

  • One microSD card
  • Capacity 8 to 32 GB
  • Class ’10’ (see green circle in the picture)
  • A method of writing data from the computer to the SD card (such as the USB dongle pictured).

Please follow the instructions in the video below and written steps:

  • Plug your microSD card into your computer to mount the drive label.
  • Right click on the SD drive, and select Format
  • Format the Card as: FAT32, 4096 allocation (8192 is fine too!)
  • Press format. After format, drag and drop the Class Echo Display firmware onto the card.
  • Right click and eject the card.
  • Insert the card into the Display’s micro SD card slot (with the display powered off).
  • Plug in the Arduino. The display should light up and start transferring data.
  • After the data upload is complete, unplug the Arduino and take out the SD card.
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