Nick Metcalfe - 2013-11-19

BitBurner can be used to program APM firmwares onto APM hardware in cases where Mission Planner fails to program firmware correctly. This can be used to program an APM flight controller with ArduPilot, ArduCopter or ArduRover directly from hex files without needing Mission Planner.

The following is no longer required as of v0.1.0:
BitBurner needs to use a recent version of AVRdude(5.11.1) to perform this task. Download and extract the special patched version of the ArduPilot Arduino Environment http://firmware.diydrones.com/Tools/Arduino/ArduPilot-Arduino-1.0.3-gcc-4.7.2-windows.zip

In BitBurner, under Tools -> Settings, in the AVRdude tab, click the folder icon after the "Location of AVRdude.exe". Navigate to the extracted "Ardupilot-Arduino" and find the subdirectory "\hardware\tools\avr\bin" and select "avrdude.exe". Click "OK" to exit the settings dialog. Additional programmers will now be added in the Programmer list.

Visit http://firmware.diydrones.com/ for a list of APM firmware. A standard quad wanting latest stable build would download APM Copter/stable/apm2-quad/Arducopter.hex

To setup BitBurner for APM2.5(HKPilot): In the AVRdude tab, select "ATMEGA2560" for "AVR Device" and "Wiring" for the "Programmer".

Physically connect the APM to a USB port if not already. In the AVRdude tab, choose the APM's COM Port for the programmer.

To flash firmware: Ensure Mission Planner is not connected to the APM. In BitBurner's "AVR Memories" tab, choose the desired firmware hex file for "Flash". Ensure the "Memory Programmer" underneath is set to "Flash Only" and click "Write".

If the message "Write Successful" comes up your APM is programmed correctly. You may now reconnect to Mission Planner.

 

Last edit: Nick Metcalfe 2013-12-01