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CORE8 FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCESS
Updating the firmware is easy to do, however it is important to do it correctly to prevent errors or board misconfiguration.
Updating firmware involves a process sometimes called “flashing” or even “programming” the ECU. Generally, these all refer to the same thing: taking the compiled FOME firmware and loading it into the non-volatile flash memory on the ECU.
Getting the latest firmware
FOME firmware releases are located here. You can download a release and install to the ECU with the console, or another way is to use TunerStudio (TS).Updating the firmware with FOME console
After confirming the firmware to flash to the ECU, software to do so must be used. FOME provides a utility, the FOME console, which is capable of flashing firmware to supported ECUs and is the recommended way to update FOME firmware. The FOME console is included with each firmware release, and bundles can be downloaded from the release page.
After extracting the bundle contents, navigate to the console/ directory and run the FOME console program (e.g. fome_console.exe if using Windows). After first confirming TunerStudio is not running, connect the ECU to the computer. FOME console will automatically detect the board and present similar to the display below.
Next, choose the Update Firmware button and leave the board connected until the console notifies that the update was successful with a green display. Only once the console has presented this success message, disconnected and re-connect the ECU to the computer to reboot it with the new firmware.
If the update completes successfully, congratulations. If the update does not complete successfully, the firmware may need to be loaded by first forcing the board into bootloader or Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode, documented in the next section.
Updating firmware via manual bootloader/DFU mode
In the event of a firmware update/flash failure, or some other firmware corruption issue, such that FOME console nor TunerStudio recognize the ECU when connected, the board needs to be first forced into bootloader mode before updating. In these situations, the FOME console cannot communicate with the firmware and so is unable to configure it into bootloader mode for updating.
To enter bootloader mode, on the ECU you will need to access buttons or pins on the main board to force the processor into this mode. Some boards use a momentary button, likely near to the reset button, to force this mode during power-up. Others might use a set of pins or pads that need shorted to force this mode during power-up. Press the button or short the pins with the ECU disconnected from the computer, then simultaneously connect the ECU into the computer. Once connected, the button can be released or the short removed.
When a board has been successfully booted into bootloader/DFU mode, the FOME console will recognize this and display the manual DFU update selection.
Next, choose the Update Firmware button and leave the board connected until the console notifies that the update was successful with a green display. Only once the console has presented this success message, disconnected and re-connect the ECU to the computer to reboot it with the new firmware.